Whipping It Up by Steve Thompson

Tuesday 18^th August – Saturday 22^nd August. 

A quick-witted political satire set in the Whips' office at Westminster, Whipping it Up is a play about the grubby wheeling and dealing that go on behind the scenes and off camera as the Whips employ any means at their disposal in order to get wavering MPs to vote the 'right' way.

It's a week before Christmas in an alternative 2010, and the new Tory government is facing dissent over its latest Bill. With a majority of only three, the Whips' office is out in full force, and they’Il stop at nothing to keep the strays in line. Written in the twilight of the last Labour government, the play explores privilege, class and fears about what happens when the “old boys club” seize power.

This a funny, fast-paced farcical satire, and will be performed in our studio space which will stand in for the claustrophobic, cramped Whips office – a real delight for an actor who enjoys being up close to their audience.

Audition dates 

• Monday 18th May, 7:30pm 
• Wednesday 20th May, 7:30pm

Recalls: 21st May, 7:30pm

AUDITION INFORMATION:

At the audition you will be asked to read at least one (and possibly more) of these audition sides. You will have the opportunity to read for your first-choice character, either in the first piece you read, or a subsequent one.

You are not expected to learn them, but it is recommended that you read and familiarise yourself with any pieces involving the characters you would like to audition for.

At the audition the director will select an audition piece for you, and another actor (or actors) for you to read opposite, and you will be given some time to practice it together.

Printed copies of the audition pieces will be supplied at the audition for you to read from. There is no need to print them yourself unless you choose to do so.

The director may give you direction and ask you to read some or all of the piece again.

Audition Sides can be found here. 

AUDITION FORM:

Please ensure you complete and submit the audition form  here.

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

THE ROLES:

There a 6 roles in this production 4 male and 2 female. 

Alastair (Male 35-50)

Deputy Chief Whip, a smooth and slippery reptile, oozing with charm. He’s a professional fixer who knows a whispered word is usually more powerful than a threat. He subtly guides Tim and is quite concerned about the health of the Chief. (RP accent)

Tim (Male late 20s - late 30s)

The New Boy, the Junior Whip whose Dad is a wealthy donor to the party. Though Tim is just as able to do the dirty work, his upper-class colleagues make him painfully aware his Dad bought his position in the office. Keen, eager to please yet arrogant. (Estuary English/ regional accent)

Cheif Whip (Male 45+)

Leader of the pack of political bully boys, the Chief Whip is a man for whom loyalty is everything. A cynical, foul-mouthed old warhorse, he pushes the newly appointed Tim. A really delightfully odious role for a character actor.

Delia (Female 40+)

Deputy Opposition Chief Whip who disrupts the old boys club, matching manoeuvre for manoeuvre. Behind her steely disposition, she’s probably the only person who actually understands the pressure Alastair is under.

Maggie (Female 20/30s)

Whistleblowing staffer with a story about a badly behaving MP. She may be more than she lets on, but runs rings around the gormless Tim. (RP preferred)

Guy (Male 30/40s)

A New MP who's learning the ropes the hard way, and wrestling with his conscience. Possibly the most sympathetic character, if only he could find a backbone.

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.

There is also a show fee of £35 (incl. a copy of the script) which will need to be paid by all actors in the production, which goes towards the cost of putting on the show and insurance. 

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. If you would like to be a part of the production team please. 

We are looking for people to get involved with the following roles:

• Sound
• Stage management
• Set building
• Marketing

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