The Harmony Test

By Richard Molloy

Directed by Jodi Rilot

Performances: Tuesday 12th May - Saturday 16th May 2026

Putney Arts Theatre Studio 

Audition dates 

• Thursday 5th February at 7pm
• Friday 6th February at 7pm

Recalls, if needed,  on Sunday 22 February at 6pm.

AUDITION INFORMATION:

Audition pieces will be provided in advance. Familiarity with the material is encouraged, although memorisation is not required.

Please contact the director, Jodi Rilot, at ptc.harmonytest@gmail.com for audition pieces and any further information required.

AUDITION FORM

Please fill in the audition form here by Saturday 24^th January.

REHEARSALS:

Rehearsals will take place, mainly at Putney Arts Theatre, over evenings and weekends from early March until the performance. Actors should expect to be called for 2 to 4 rehearsals a week. It is assumed that if you audition you are available for all the performance dates.

ABOUT THE PLAY:

Newlyweds Zoe and Kash are on a mission to have a baby. From sex schedules to dodgy under-the-counter remedies, increasingly desperate antics begin to take over their lives. With every aspect of their schedules, diets and sex lives revolving around conception, relationship cracks seem inevitable. If they do successfully conceive, what will this mean for Kash’s fledgling acting career? If they don’t, how will Zoe get over losing what she feels is her true purpose in life?

Meanwhile, empty-nesters Charlie and Naomi are facing a different matrimonial challenge, and it looks terminal. Charlie is bewildered that his wife does not share his excitement at finally having the house to themselves. Naomi can’t remember what attracted her to Charlie in the first place. Lacking any meaningful connection in her life, she heads to the gym, where she finds "connection" aplenty in the shape of Rocco, a personal trainer 20 years her junior.

Richard Molloy’s darkly funny drama explores the ups and downs, hilarity and awkwardness that accompany the heart-wrenching journey of trying to conceive. 

The play contains themes of IVF, abortion and divorce. Actors are advised to read the play ahead of auditioning if these are personally sensitive topics.

Suitable for audiences above the age of 15

CAST BREAKDOWN:

Zoe, (F) thirties. Outwardly strong, with a quick, cutting wit, Zoe longs to have a baby with husband Kash. Her vulnerability and yearning are disguised behind a pragmatic, no-nonsense attitude. She will shut down rather than confide her pain. There are poignant moments in the play where this front crumbles to heart-breaking effect.

Kash, (M) thirties. Kash adores Zoe. He is funny and playful. He is an actor on the merry-go-round of self-tapes and auditions that mostly come to nothing. Slowly, he comes to understand the gravity of what it means to become a father. The inherent compromises and sacrifices may include getting a “proper” job. He is desperate to reach Zoe but doesn’t know how.

Naomi, (F) forties. Zoe’s friend from work. Naomi is a teacher who hates teaching, she is lonely in her marriage and is feeling lost. Her scathing wit and one-liners are most often directed at hapless husband Charlie. After years of feeling undesirable and numb, her sexual passion is ignited by young Rocco. All sex scenes take place off-stage, however actors will need to depict raw lust and sexual chemistry. Be assured that this will be sensitively approached with advice from intimacy co-ordinators where appropriate.

Charlie, (M) Forties. Charlie is so confused. He was very contented in his life with Naomi. He has fulfilled his ambition to own and run a tea-room. Then it all blows up. Naomi walks out and he simply cannot understand where it all went wrong. The fast back-and-forth dialogue between Naomi and Charlie provide some of the funniest moments in the play. A drunken fight provides physical comedy. Beneath the humour, Charlie’s genuine rage and hurt are apparent.

Rocco, (M)Twenties. Rocco is very young, very fit and very sweet. He is Naomi’s personal trainer at the gym, so an athletic build is an advantage. Actors need to be comfortable performing bare-chested, and potentially just in underwear. Note this will not be a requirement at audition. Rocco has a heart of gold. He grew up in a household of women and has accompanied them on numerous ante-natal appointments. He surprises everyone with his sensitivity and wisdom beyond his years. He is hugely likeable.

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 £30 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 email ptc.harmonytest@gmail.com.

The roles you may want to get involved with include:

• Props
• Costume
• Stage management
• Set build
• Technical Operation
• Marketing