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 some familiarity with the play and that you have an understanding of the character/s you are auditioning for.  There are copies of the play text available to borrow from the office. Please arrive on time on the day.

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 25+.  The scheming, extravagant heir trying to manoeuvre to become regent.

Duke of York

Playing age 20+ 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