THE BEAR
By Anton Chekhov, directed by Rolande Burrows
A ‘battle of the sexes' One-Act play with action taking place in a landowner’s country house outside Moscow, around 1900.
This furious but light-hearted piece provides three great parts that are challenging, rewarding and amusing. A firecracker of a short play with three excellent characters.
Could you handle falling in love?
The male lead is brash, bold and masterful… an old-school Russian landowner who is swept off his feet by a strong, determined, reserved, wildcat - his equal - a landowning widow sworn to live alone - until…
A cast of three - age range is 35-65.
The male lead, Krasnov, is a country estate-owner aged 35-50’ish. He could be up to ten years older or younger than Popova.
The female lead, Popova is recently widowed, has staff, horses and a comfortable lifestyle. Aged 35-50’ish. Popova is confident, seductive... but cold and distant at first. She is very polite - a country lady… until, not always so politely, the sparks eventually fly between her and Krasnov.
Olga is Popova’s companion/housekeeper, who cannot always hold her tongue. Needn’t be, but if older, she is still quite active.
Equality was an issue even in 1900, but is handled by Chekhov with a spirited sense of humour…. not at all in his usual style.
Read-Through: Sunday 4th August at 2.30.
Auditions: Wednesday 7th August at 7.30 and Sunday 18th August at 2.30
THE WITCHES OF PRESTWICK
By Joe Graham, Directed by Jane Branch
A light-hearted, raunchy one-act play.
Three members of a local amateur dramatic society are rehearsing their roles as the witches in the ‘Scottish play’, with varying levels of competence. Bev has taken her tole a bit too seriously, researching witchcraft to lend plausibility to her performance. Goaded on by the other two, Jan and Lois, she gives them a crash course in magic with some unexpected results!
A cast of four - age range is 20 - 60
Lois: The youngest, around 20 years. Slightly naïve. Thinks her boyfriend is perfect…Well almost
Bev: More mature, around 30 to 40 years. Unmarried – waiting for the right man. Researching witchcraft and taking it seriously.
Jan: The eldest, around 50 to 60. On her third husband, but ready for more!
Devil Man: Age indeterminate. A forthright salesman with a sexy voice. He will have to be happy to cope with several funny sexual inuendoes and three actresses!
Read-Through: Sunday 11th August at 2.30
Auditions: Wednesday 21st August at 7.30 and Sunday 25th August at 2.30pm.
Performance dates for both:
Thursday 24th to Saturday 26th October and Wednesday 30th October to Saturday 2nd November at 7.30pm. Audition pieces available soon.