Performed in the Studio, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts 12th - 15th July 2006
Maidenhead Advertiser review: |
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Where friends are closer than family, when does intimacy become betrayal - is the reunion a celebration, or are they falling apart?
Phillip, aged 17, has just returned from an 'exchange' holiday in Spain . The plans to go out for a celebratory meal with his parents and a family friend are disrupted when his aunt and uncle drop in. The embarrassing obligatory showing of the holiday photos reveal that Phillip was shown a little too much of the sights by his penfriend's older sister - resulting in her name tattooed in a delicate place!
Following on from this, we discover that some months ago Frank helped Phillip when he got into difficulties while swimming - but was the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation really necessary, or more of a 'snog'? Phillip dashes out in confusion, and borrows his uncle's motorbike.....
The middle of the play is a long flash-back of that home-coming evening. The beginning and end gradually reveal the truths; Phillip crashed the bike and died - was it an accident or despair? And the 'one time' Laura had with a youthful Roger - who was Phillip's father? |
Frank |
M, mid-40s. An old, and close, friend of Laura's. Gay, but not overtly so, he has AIDS. A playwright of limited success, and occasional teacher.
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Laura |
F, mid-40s. In many ways a fairly ordinary middle-class housewife and mother, but a challenging role to play; to show the difference between the Laura of 'today' and of 'last year' - shaped and changed by what happened.
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Phillip |
M, 17. Laura's son. The usual bright but monosyllabic teenager - with hidden depths!
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Dennis |
M, mid-40s. Laura's husband, a dentist. Not a particularly happy marriage, he has 'relationships'.
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Roger |
M, mid-30s. Dennis' younger brother. Just back from 5 years living in Australia .
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Cornelia |
F, late 20s-30s. Roger's wife. An interior designer and student of Anglo-Saxon - so why do people think she's stupid?
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Gompertz |
M, 30s-40s. Frank's doctor. Appears in 2 small flashback scenes with Frank. Openly gay, self centred. Needs good comedic timing.
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Other role requirements / Director's comments
Ages are flexible, but need to match - i.e. Dennis should be some 8-10 years older than his brother. Laura must be of similar age, likewise Frank.
Cornelia is younger, but newly pregnant (i.e. not showing) 'after years of trying' so not too young. Cornelia is described as having a 'funny' voice - needs to have some characteristic which makes her seem 'thick' and at odds with her supposed intelligence.
Laura needs to clearly show the differences in her, both mentally and physically, between 'today' and 'last year'. As written, the role requires chain-smoking in 'today' scenes as part of this; I am prepared to find an alternative 'tic' if necessary.
Frank has AIDS, and ideally should be slim, able to look gaunt/ill.
Laura and Phillip and, to a lesser extent, Laura and Roger, will need to dance a tango. Lessons will be provided!
Within the intimate confines of the Studio, this should be a powerful piece - a challenge to the cast to bring the story clearly to the audience. This is a complex play, with complex characters, and I strongly advise anyone wishing to audition to read the script in advance - please contact me for a copy. I am happy to hold another read-through for interested parties before the audition date - please let me know.
Carol Hennessy
01628 635017
Auditions
Thursday 4th May, 8pm , Boyne Hill Cricket Club . If you cannot make that date, please contact me, and I will be happy to see you separately.
Rehearsals
We normally rehearse on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, from 8-10pm , however I am open to other options - earlier in the evening, or weekends, as suits. The way the play breaks down means I will need Laura and Frank for all rehearsals, but for the first few weeks the others will only be needed for 2 nights a week (and Gompertz probably only one).
The two weeks before the production we will run the play, so everyone will be required. All rehearsals likely to be at Boyne Hill Cricket Club, unless unavailable.
Production Week - All cast and crew required on all dates!
Sunday 9th July - Move in to Studio , at Norden Farm. Setting of lights, sound, scenery, etc during the day.
A full rehearsal will be scheduled for some time late afternoon/early evening.
Monday 10th July - Technical Rehearsal . A stop-start evening to iron out all the lighting and sound issues.
Tuesday 11th July - Dress Rehearsal.
Wednesday 12th - Saturday 15th July - Performances
After the final performance, everything has to be struck - and then we party!
The All-Important Production Team
As always, a performance can never take place without all the other vital jobs being done, and a full support crew is needed. I've listed below the main tasks that need filling, and tried to outline roughly what's needed (and how much time they'd commit you to). If you are interested in filling one of these crucial roles, please get in touch with me to discuss further. If you have never done something listed below but would like to 'have a go', please also say so - we will happily provide a 'mentor' to guide you.
Carol Hennessy
01628 635017
Stage Manager |
With no scene changes etc. not an onerous task, but I do need a 'right-hand-person' to help me see what's been forgotten. Will need to organise a daily team of 'stage-setters' for production week - i.e. laying out the audience seating, as well as the set furniture. Attendance at a number of rehearsals to familiarise with script, plus all dates 9 th -15 th July. |
Lighting |
The lighting plot is not complex, but we will need specific areas individually lit, and the suggestions of different times of day etc. Lighting design/planning in your own time, need to follow some rehearsals to familiarise with script, plus attendance all dates 9 th -15 th July. |
Sound |
Background music is very important to the subtlety of the story, plus requirement for specific sounds in some places. Sourcing/recording in own time, plus attendance at several later rehearsals to let cast work with the sound, plus attendance all dates 9 th -15 th July. |
Set Design/ Special Effect |
There will be no 'set' other than furniture, but I do need an ingenious person to solve the problem of how to make something fall without anyone being near it. Need this problem solved quickly, then you can rest on your laurels! |
Furniture /Props |
Someone to find (beg/borrow rather than hire, preferably) - sofas, coffee table, garden furniture etc. Again, solve it early, then relax. [Props list] |
Costumes |
No great requirement - all daily clothes, but someone to oversee, make sure colours don't clash etc. |
Prompt |
Need to attend all rehearsals once 'books down' (probably late June) to prompt as necessary, plus all production week. |
Front of House |
A 'Manager' needed to co-ordinate stewarding. Requirement for 2 stewards at every performance ( so if you only have one free night we still need you!). |
Publicity |
Can you help with -
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Choreographer |
To teach Laura, Phillip and Roger to tango. |
Modified - 29 March 2006
