Please find below the audition details for Putney Theatre Company's New Writing – Truth or Dare?

Audition dates

Sunday 8 March, 6.30pm or
Tuesday 10 March, 8.00pm

Recalls: Thursday 12 March, 7.30pm

Please do get in touch with the Director, Rebecca Marangos, with any questions you may have by emailing rmarangos@icloud.com (please include ‘New Writing – Truth or Dare?’ in the email subject).

Production details

Performance dates

Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 May, 7.45pm (studio, Putney Arts Theatre)

Rehearsal period

Rehearsals will take place from late March for two to three evening on Monday to Thursday, as well as around three hours' rehearsal on a Sunday. 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 two rehearsals a week until the final few weeks, when actors should be prepared to rehearse on up to a four days a week.

Please note: 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 members (£25 a year by direct debit, or £30 otherwise) to take part in the show, and a £25 show fee will be due. 

Audition Preperation

There is no need to prepare anything for the audition. You will be given pieces to read on arrival. Please make sure you arrive on time.

'Truth or Dare?'

Whilst we roam around our world, questions arise about how well we know each individual we encounter and think we know already. Families, work colleagues, housemates, partners, friends and siblings all hold out at a life, whilst they stride through their everyday routines and aspirations.

What would happen if one of them revealed a truth you did not realise about them which could change your outlook, perspective, thought process and view of them? Would it change the values of people? Would you dare to push for the truth? Would it change the trajectory of your life if a truth were to be told? Should we dare to open old wounds for the sake of others or even ourselves? Would it be better or worse to know the truth?

This season's PTC New Writing seeks new writing to inspire, be thought-provoking and expand on the idea of Truth or Dare?, and attempt to make a difference for the future of the characters in the play. We wish to ignite discussions outside the constraints of the theatre. 

This year’s pieces will be performed in the Studio Space at Putney Arts Theatre.

The plays

How Nice of you to ask
by Rich Rubin

“Do you prefer having sex with men, women or both?”

Taking part in a survey unveils some truths about this neighbour.

• Alan, 25-35
• Mavis, 60+

In Plain Sight
by Nicolas Ridley

“Tea is much better for you at a time like this”

Encounters in a local coffee shop are not always what they seem.

• Mrs Potts, 50+
• Georgia, 35+
• Oliver, 35+
• Mark, 35+

A Meal with Friends
by Nick Mouton

“I prefer the term ‘cannibalism’ than ‘eating human flesh’.

Being Shipwrecked raises some awkward questions about survival.

• Cathy, 20+
• Trish, 20+

Click
by Geoff Saunders

“I dare you. I dare you to behave, just for once, like someone normal”

Alan is trying to conquer those things that seem like the basics to everyone else.

• Alan, 35+

Some Disenchanted Evening
by Craig Bates

“The one time, the ONE TIME I ask you to come to something, and you bloody miss it”

Can a simple game of truth or dare really solve a couple’s disenchantments? Where does it lead and what could they lose?

• A, male, 25+
• B, male, 25+

Inconvenienced
by Grace Johnstone

“Hardly imagined the afterlife would be like this”

What awaits in the Ladies Toilettes at Eternity’s?

• Petra, 50+
• Deborah, 20+
• Sola, 50+
• Woman 1, 20+
• Woman 2, 20+

He Looks Beautiful
by Tracey Hayward

“I think I loved him from the first moment I saw that smile”

The preparation for a romantic evening doesn’t seem to go as one would like it to be.

• Jennifer, 25+
• Sam, 25+

Descent
by Hannah Elleray

“Whatever happens, I’m glad I met you”

A love affair with a possible dark outcome.

• Zoey, 25+
• Dan, 25+

Please note, this is an ensemble cast and actors will be expected to take on one or multiple large and small roles and be part of a team that assists with backstage roles as well.

Below you'll find audition details for Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand (adapted by Glyn Maxwell), as well as backstage help required.

Audition dates

Sunday 29 March, 6.30pm or Wednesday 1 April, 7.30pm

Recalls: Sunday 5 April, 6.30pm

Please get in touch with the Director, Stuart Watson, with any questions you may have by emailing stuart_watson@tiscali.co.uk

Production details

Performance dates

Tuesday 23 - Saturday 27 June, 7.45pm (main stage, Putney Arts Theatre)
and Saturday 4 - Sunday 5 July, 3pm (Putney Old Burial Ground)

Rehearsal period

Rehearsals will take place from mid-April on Monday to Thursday, as well as around three hours of rehearsal on a Sunday. 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 two or three rehearsals a week until the final few weeks, when actors should be prepared to rehearse on up to four days a week.

Please note: 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 members (£25 a year - direct debit, or £30 otherwise) to take part in the show, and a £25 show fee will be due. Even if you are not cast or involved in the show, we encourage everyone to become a member of PTC to support our work.

Audition Preperation

It is useful for actors to have at least a basic knowledge of the play’s plot (there are various summaries and full adaptations available for free online). Ideally, you would be familiar with Maxwell’s adaptation, which can be purchased from Oberon Books. However, there will be time to prepare the sections of the text that you will be asked to read at the audition.

Synopsis

It is the era of The Three Musketeers and swashbuckling swordsman-poet Cyrano is celebrated throughout Paris for his prowess in battle, his wit and his panache. However, his boisterous demeanour masks a secret sorrow: he adores the beautiful Roxane, yet fears to speak of his passion because he is convinced that his gigantic nose makes him too ugly to be loved. When handsome but tongue-tied young nobleman Christian joins his regiment, Cyrano seizes the opportunity to woo Roxane by proxy. But our hero must emerge victorious through duels, bitter rivalry and war to win the heart of his lady in Rostand’s rollicking epic of adventure and romance.

Characters

Glyn Maxwell’s adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac uses the device of having the play acted out by the nuns in the convent to which Roxane has retired after the events of the main story. That means that six women play a variety of roles, both named and unnamed, male and female, ranging from duellist Valvert, overweight tragedian Montfleury, the Gascon soldiers, the “hundred ruffians” who do battle with Cyrano, greedy poets, drunken poets, orange sellers, thieves, priests, etc. The other parts are Roxane (female) and the five main male roles, including Cyrano himself.

However, when this version was produced at Southwark Playhouse all of the actors were female, including Cyrano. Therefore, while the casting breakdown below is the one from the script, almost any character could be played by an actor of either gender – a female Cyrano and/or Christian and nuns played by men are distinctly possible! Most roles are not particularly age-sensitive, except where noted below, and there will be opportunities for both older and younger actors. Casting will be colour-blind. It is possible we may vary the size of the ensemble slightly, but around 12 actors will be needed, including a number of good singers and potentially also musicians.

Cyrano de Bergerac (male)
Swashbuckling swordsman, poet, captain of the Gascony Cadets and possessor of France’s largest nose.

Christian de Neuvillette (male, young)
A handsome, but not especially bright young nobleman.

Count Antoine de Guiche (male)
The villain (at least some of the time). An arrogant aristocrat.

Le Bret (male)
A soldier. Cyrano’s best friend and sidekick.

Rageneau (male)
A pastry chef and poetry groupie.

Roxane (female, young)
Cyrano’s cousin. Beautiful and bookish, with a romantic disposition.

Mother Margaret (older, female)
Nun playing Duenna, Cuigy, Carbonne.

Sister Claire (female)
Nun playing Ligniere, Montfleury, Musketeer, 1st Cadet.

Sister Teresa (female)
Nun playing Thief, Valvert, Lise, Clomire, 3rd Cadet

Sister Martha (female)
Nun playing Busybody, Gremione, 1st Poet, 2nd Cadet

Sister Agnes (female)
Nun playing Brisaille, 2nd Poet, Priest, Sentinel

Sister Rosa (female)
Nun playing Orange-girl, 3rd Poet, 4th Cadet

Backstage help

Opportunities available include:

• Musicians
• Fight co-ordinator
• Lighting and sound operator
• Lighting designer
• Set construction
• Assistant stage managers
• Costume designer
• Costume assistants
• Hair and make up (including prosthetics – Cyrano’s nose!)

Please get in touch with stuart_watson@tiscali.co.uk if you are interested in getting involved.

Below you'll find audition details for Gut by Frances Poet, as well as backstage help required.

Audition dates

Tuesday 14 April, 7.30pm or Wednesday 15 April, 7.30pm

Recalls: Friday 17 April, 7.30pm

Please get in touch with the Director, Jonathon Grant, with any questions you may have by emailing jgbritain@gmail.com

Production details

Performance date

Sunday 10 May 2020 (150-seat theatre, Putney Arts Theatre)

Rehearsal period

As a rehearsed reading, there will be minimal rehearsals that will take place around actors’ schedules.

Please note: 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 members (£25 a year - direct debit, or £30 otherwise) to take part in the show, and a £10 show fee will be due. Even if you are not cast or involved in the show, we encourage everyone to become a member of PTC to support our work.

Audition Preperation

It is highly recommended to read the play. Sides will be provided. Please also make sure you arrive on time.

Synopsis

“I know my boy. I'd know if something happened to him.” How far will a parent go to protect their child from the potential evils of the world? Can you trust others around your child or is it more dangerous not to trust at all? Frances Poet's GUT tackles themes of protection, guardianship and accountability while challenging parental boundaries and family ties. But if a child cannot be trusted with its own parent... can they ever truly be safe?

GUT was first produced in 2018 at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, in association with the National Theatre of Scotland.

Characters

2-3 female, 1-2 male

MADDY

Maddy is the mother of three-year old Joshua and will do anything to protect her child. This role should be played by a female-identifying actor capable of dramatic highs and lows who can also portray a deep connection to a child.

RORY

Rory is Maddy's partner and parent of three-year old Joshua. Although a bit more lax, we need a male-identifying (I’m open to another female) actor who can portray a gentle, loving partner while also obtaining the gravitas to put their foot down and take control of a situation.

MORVEN

Morven is the mother to Rory and Gran to three-year-old Joshua. We need a female-identifying actor who can realistically portray a mother to fully grown adults. This actor should be able to convey an innocence and a practical approach to parenting but also be a bit of a badass.

THE STRANGER

These cameos can be played by one, multi-faceted, male-identifying actor or multiple dedicated actors.

Backstage help

Opportunities available include:

• Lighting operator
• Stage manager
• Sound operator

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