On Monday, 15th and Wednesday, 17th January, 2018 we shall be holding auditions for our Spring play, Vintage Hitchcock: a live radio play by Joe Landry, directed by Lars Sawyer. These will take place at 8pm in Christchurch Hall, in Walton on the Hill.
There are three one-act plays in this production, which takes place c. 1946 in the US metropolitan broadcasting studio of WBFR’s radio station, and which showcases the build-up of archetypal Hitchcock thrillers.
In The Lodger there are 2M and 2F main roles and 6 minor roles (plus the main role of the Announcer, who is heard in each play – this could be M or F).
In Sabotage there are 27 minor speaking parts, many of which could be doubled up.
In The 39 Steps there are 2M and 2F main roles and 22 minor speaking parts, many of which could also be doubled up – not to say tripled or quadrupled up, as in Sabotage.
One of the joys of this triple bill is that, since the action takes place in a live, authentic radio broadcasting studio, the players will have the scripts in their hands throughout! Not having to learn the lines absolutely by heart is an advantage, but players will still be expected to know the lines, the cues and the drama, in order to give an authentic performance as a radio actor or actress. All characters have British accents except the Announcer and the stage manager (American), and the few parts where foreign accents are specified.
Rehearsals will begin with a read-through on Monday 12th February, continuing every Wednesday and Monday thereafter until Wednesday, 18th April, all at 8pm in Christchurch Hall. The play will then transfer to The Lord Riddell Memorial Hall for set-up and performance week. Performances will be held on 26th, 27th and 28th April.
ALL PLAYERS PLEASE NOTE:
In addition, the Gage has been honoured with an invitation by the Banstead Art Festival Committee to present a play during the Festival week. The evening play date will be:
Wednesday, 2nd May, 2018, when two of the above plays will be staged in Banstead Community Hall either side of an interval. Therefore, those auditioning should be aware that they are committing to this further performance if they are offered a part or parts in Vintage Hitchcock.
