Till the Stars Come Down

By Beth Steel

Directed by Frances Bodiam

Performances: Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 September 2026

Putney Arts Theatre Main Auditorium (150 seats)

Audition dates 

• Monday 8th June at 7pm
• Wednesday 10th June at 7pm.

Recalls  - Thursday 11th June

AUDITION INFORMATION:

Preparation:

You do not need to prepare anything, but please ensure that you have read the play FULLY and that you have an understanding of the character/s you are auditioning for. Please arrive on time.

Please email director, Frances Bodiam at francesbodiam@gmail.com if you would like to audition but cannot attend on the official dates or you have any other queries.

AUDITION FORM

Please fill in the audition form here by Sunday 7th June.

If you are unable to attend please try to let us know at least 24 hours in advance for logistical reasons.

REHEARSAL period:

Rehearsals will take place from w/c 29th June onwards for 2-3 evenings on Monday to Thursday, as well as a rehearsal on Sundays. Sometimes there may be a need to rehearse on Saturdays and to rehearse on different days and times. Most actors will only be called for 2 rehearsals a week until the final few weeks, when actors should be prepared to rehearse on up to 4 days a week.

ABOUT THE PLAY:

Till the Stars Come Down is both hilarious and tragic family drama. It’s full of love and loss, secrets and lies, humour and despair. The action is played out during one day in a former mining town in Nottinghamshire.

It's the day of Sylvia’s wedding to Marek and the family is excited and overflowing with good wishes for their future happiness, until the vodka starts flowing, and resentments and secrets threaten the day’s harmony….

Beth Steel's play Till the Stars Come Down premiered at the National Theatre in January 2024 and transferred to the West End in 2025. The play was shortlisted for Best Play at the 2025 Standard Theatre Awards.

This production will be a challenging ensemble piece with movement and physical theatre. The actors will need to be skilled character players who are willing to be flexible and explore the script and storyline as part of a team. In the rehearsal period, we will begin without any scripts, working on character creation and definition, with focus on exploring and creating the dynamics of the play. In these workshops we'll be using some theatre practitioner techniques.

Amateur production by arrangement with Nick Hern Books

Characters:

Playing ages included for audition purposes. Actual age of the actor is less important than their ability to create the character.

Sylvia

Youngest of three sisters 30s. After a whirlwind romance, it’s her wedding day to Marek. Seen as the baby of the family, she has lived at home since childhood.

Hazel         

Eldest of the three sisters late 30s/40s, mother of Leanne and Sarah and married to John.  Harassed, overbearing, resentful and anxious but wants what is best for her family. She is overtly anti Eastern-European.

Maggie   

The middle sister, late 30s, the only member of the family who has moved away. She is troubled, sexy, a little enigmatic and unhappy not to be with them full-time. Maggie has her reasons for moving away which will become clear.

John         

Husband of Hazel and father of Leanne and Sarah, 40s.  Has been out of work for 3 months, browbeaten but has a spark of life if you can find it.      

       

Leanne   

Hazel and John’s eldest daughter, aged 14, very much teenager temperament. Could be played by a young looking 18-year-old…       

     

Sarah       

Younger daughter of Hazel and John. Under 12. Young/immature for her age. Wants to be an astronaut when she grows up.

Tony         

The girls’ dad, ex-miner 50s/60s, has not spoken to his brother, Uncle Pete for 30 years. Loves his daughters and the memory of his wife who died.

Aunty Carol   

Best friend of the girls’ deceased mother, 50s/60s. She is a bit of an annoyance to them but is tolerated. Eccentric and quirky.  Her first line is “How you doing, sugar tits?”      

Uncle Pete      

Aunty Carol’s husband 50s/60s.  A mild-mannered family man.  Estranged from his brother Tony, the girls’ dad. They haven’t spoken for over thirty years.

Marek              

Sylvia’s fiancé, 30s/40s. A Polish builder who has done well for himself in a difficult economic climate. Viewed by some family members with suspicion.

In addition to the main cast members below, we will be casting additional ensemble actors who will be required to play more than one character.

Review Quotes for National Theatre production of Till the Stars Come Down:

'Beth Steel's play has it all: the earthy humour tingling with originality, the canvas both big and small and the larger-than-life characters bouncing to life before us in pain, joy, and laughter... a masterclass in multi-layered conversational naturalism... rollicking, complex and bearing the tragic inevitability of Greek drama'

Guardian

'Stunning... a modern classic... a magnificent combination of earthiness and explosions of half-suppressed emotion... It's a mighty achievement'

The Times

'Beautifully observed and often bruisingly hilarious... a rich, multifaceted character study of an entire family... you'd have to be made of stone not to laugh like a drain... it's wonderfully written, building to a dynamite final scene... a funny, heartbreaking piece of writing'

Time Out

Diversity, Inclusion & Casting Vision

PTC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We want a membership that is reflective of the diverse communities within London. We actively encourage all performers to audition for the roles which they feel best suit their skills.

Where ethnicities are not listed against the characters, we would openly encourage actors of all ethnicities to consider those roles.

COSTS

Please note that this is an amateur production. You do not need to be a member of Putney Theatre Company to audition, but actors and crew will need to become a member of Putney Theatre Company to take part in the show. That cost is currently £30 a year. As a member you will have access to reduced ticket prices and other creative opportunities. There is no cost to audition.

There is also a show fee of £35 which will need to be paid by all actors in the production, which goes towards the cost of putting on the show and insurance.  It will include a copy of the script should those cast not have their own.

We encourage you to become a member of PTC anyway, even if not cast.

Our company is run by volunteers and we expect all actors cast in a production to volunteer for Front of House duties at least once a year. Our shows could not go up without our Front of House volunteers.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

PTC knows that taking part in a show can be a significant financial burden. We are committed to being as inclusive as possible. So, if you would like to discuss how we can help you, a member of the committee will be able to confidentially assist. Please enquire for more information. Rest assured, if you have requested financial assistance, it will have no bearing on whether you are cast in the show.

OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

There are always other ways to be involved in the production other than auditioning.  

Backstage opportunities available include:

• Lighting operator

• Set construction
• Assistant stage manager
• Sound operator
• Costume assistants
• Hair and make up assistants

Please get in touch with info@putneyartstheatre.org.uk if you are interested in getting involved.

You can get in touch with Director, Frances Bodiam with any questions you may have by emailing francesbodiam@gmail.com

The Madness of George III

By Alan Bennett

Directed by Kim Dyas & Veronika Wilson

Performances: Tuesday 20 – Saturday 24 October 2026 7.45pm plus 3pm matinee on Saturday 24

Putney Arts Theatre Main Auditorium (145 seats)

Audition dates 

·         Sunday 21 June at 6pm

·         Monday 22 June at 7pm.

Recalls  - Thursday 25 June at 7pm

AUDITION INFORMATION:

Preparation:

You do not need to prepare anything, but please ensure that you have read the play FULLY and that you have an understanding of the character/s you are auditioning for. Please arrive on time.

Please email the directors, Kim Dyas & Veronika Wilson at george3.ptc@gmail.com if you would like to audition but cannot attend on the official dates or you have any other queries.

With the large number of auditionees attending we wish to advise that we will take photos on the night purely to identify each candidate. Once casting process is complete these photos will be deleted and prior to that only used and seen by those in the casting process. If you have any concerns please speak to us on the day.

Please note that this is an adult amateur production open to those over the age of 18.

AUDITION FORM 

Please fill in the audition form here by Saturday 20 June.

If you are unable to attend please try to let us know at least 24 hours in advance for logistical reasons.

REHEARSAL period:

Rehearsals will take place from 19th July onwards for 2-3 evenings on Monday to Thursday, as well as a rehearsal on Sundays. Sometimes there may be a need to rehearse on Saturdays and to rehearse on different days and times. Most actors will only be called for 2 rehearsals a week until the final few weeks, when actors should be prepared to rehearse on up to 4 days a week. There will be a summer break in August.

ABOUT THE PLAY:

We have lost America, we may lose the King.

The nation stands on the brink of constitutional crises: when those who rule are no longer fit for the job, what does power look like?  Who gets to make decisions in their absence?

In Bennett’s beautifully wrought portrayal of George III, divine right meets the frailty of the human body.  His exploration of the King’s first significant period of mental illness is as tender as it is brutal, as humour counterpoises the horrors of 18^th Century medicine.  The Madness of George III examines kingship, identity, health and the tensions between public and private life with wit and a deftness of touch.

Originally performed at the National Theatre in 1991 before embarking on a tour of the UK and USA, the play was adapted for the screen and released in 1994 under the title The Madness of King George.

Characters:

Playing ages included for audition purposes. Actual age of the actor is less important than their ability to create the character. A note on playing genders, other than where we have made mention of specific genders for characters, we would be delighted to see any actor of any gender for all other parts.

George III - Male

The King.  Playing age 50+.  Struggling with his first major period of mental illness which triggers political crisis. Subjected to scheming and the torturous processes of 18^th Century doctoring.

Queen Charlotte - Female

The Queen. Playing age 40+.  George’s devoted wife who becomes increasingly forthright and independent.

Prince of Wales 

Playing age 20+.  The scheming, extravagant heir trying to manoeuvre to become regent.

Duke of York

Playing age 25+ George and Charlotte’s younger son, involved in political plotting

William Pitt the Younger         

Playing age 25+.  The young, stern and politically brilliant Prime Minister      

Charles James Fox

Playing age 35+. The Whig opposition leader allied with the Prince of Wales.

Dr Francis Willis 

Playing age 50+. Member of the clergy and physician, brought in for the treatment of the king with methods ranging from kindly to cruel.

Dr Richard Warren 

Playing age 50+.  The supremely arrogant royal physician

Lady Pembroke/Margaret Nicholson - Female 

Playing age 30. Lady Pembroke is the dignified Lady of the Bedchamber. Margaret Nicholson is the woman who attacks the king at the start of the play.

Henry Dundas 1^st Viscount Melville

Playing age 40+.  A refined Scot and influential politician.       

Lord Chancellor Thurlow              

Playing age 50s. A calculating self-serving politician who plays a pivotal role in the struggle for regency.

Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Playing age 30s. A prominent writer, playwright and Whig politician who allies with the Prince of Wales.

Edmund Burke

Playing age 50s-60s. Prominent politician, Whig and frequent critic of the king.

Mrs Armistead/Dr Ida Macalpine - Female

Playing age 35+.  English courtesan, secret wife  and devoted partner to Charles Fox.  Dr Macalpine 20^th Century physician who argued that George III’s bouts of illness were due to porphyria.

Colonel Charles Fitzroy

Playing age 20s-30s, The King’s Equerry. 

Robert Fulke Greville

Playing age 30+. Trusted royal attendant who keeps a detailed journal of the king’s erratic daily routine and assists Dr Willis.

Papandiek

Playing age 30s.  Junior royal servant caught up in the upheaval.

Fortnum

Playing age 20s.  Footman who anachronistically leaves in a huff to start a provisions merchant in Piccadilly.

Braun

Playing age 20s. Footman and attendant to the king during his illness.

Sir George Baker 

Playing age 60s. Physician in Ordinary to George III

Sir Lucas Pepys 

Playing age 40s.  Prominent physician in attendance during the king’s illness

Sir Boothby Skrymshir

Playing age 30+.  Delightfully opportunistic member of parliament.

Ramsden

Playing age 20s. Nephew to the opportunistic Skrymshir

Sir Selby Markham

Any playing age. Politician and supporter of Pitt

Hoppner

Playing age 30. Prominent portrait painter to the Prince of Wales

In addition to the characters above where there will be some likely doubling.  There will be a need for further doubling amongst the cast in order to play The Speaker of the House,  Equerries, Pages and Footmen.

Diversity, Inclusion & Casting Vision

PTC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We want a membership that is reflective of the diverse communities within London. We actively encourage all performers to audition for the roles which they feel best suit their skills.

Where ethnicities are not listed against the characters, we would openly encourage actors of all ethnicities to consider those roles.

COSTS

Please note that this is an amateur production. You do not need to be a member of Putney Theatre Company to audition, but actors and crew will need to become a member of Putney Theatre Company to take part in the show. That cost is currently £30 a year. As a member you will have access to reduced ticket prices and other creative opportunities. There is no cost to audition.

There is also a show fee of £35 which will need to be paid by all actors in the production, which goes towards the cost of putting on the show and insurance.  It will include a copy of the script should those cast not have their own.

We encourage you to become a member of PTC anyway, even if not cast.

Our company is run by volunteers and we expect all actors cast in a production to volunteer for Front of House duties at least once a year. Our shows could not go up without our Front of House volunteers.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

PTC knows that taking part in a show can be a significant financial burden. We are committed to being as inclusive as possible. So, if you would like to discuss how we can help you, a member of the committee will be able to confidentially assist. Please enquire for more information. Rest assured, if you have requested financial assistance, it will have no bearing on whether you are cast in the show.

OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

There are always other ways to be involved in the production other than auditioning.  

Backstage opportunities available include:

·         Lighting operator

·         Set construction

·         Assistant stage manager

·         Sound operator

·         Costume assistants

·         Hair and make up assistants

Please get in touch with the directors if you are interested in getting involved.

You can get in touch with the directors Kim Dyas & Veronika Wilson with any questions you may have by emailing george3.ptc@gmail.com