Characters
Characters Summary:
PRINCIPALS:
- The D'Ysquith Family, 30s – mid 50s, male, playing multiple characters
- Monty Navarro, Mid 20s –30s, male
- Sibella, 20s, mid 30s, female
- Phoebe, early 20s –early 30s, female
- Miss Shingle, 30s – 50s, female, cockney
ENSEMBLE:
- Women x 3
- Men x 3
Characters Description:
All ages are just a suggestion and will be adjusted to fit the needs of our casting.
PRINCIPALS:
THE D’YSQUITH FAMILY (30s – mid 50s). Must be an experienced, skilled, and transformational comedic actor who has a superb grasp on British farce. Physical comedy and stamina is a necessity. Does not necessarily need to be a phenomenal singer, but must be able to carry a musical comedy without an ounce of hesitation. Plays the following range of characters from the same family, ranging from an off-kilter priest to a closeted bee enthusiast to a lowly custodian (each of them intrinsic “English types”). Vocal range B2-F4.
• Asquith D’Ysquith, Jr., a dandy
• Lord Adlabert D’Ysquith, Eighth Earl of Highhurst
• Reverend Lord Ezekiel D’Ysquith, a clergyman
• Lord Adlabert D’Ysquith, Sr., an elderly banker
• Henry D’Ysquith, a country squire
• Lady Hyacinth D’Ysquith, a benefactress
• Major Lord Bartholomew D’Ysquith, a bodybuilder
• Lady Salome D’Ysquith Pumphrey, an actress
• Chauncey D’Ysquith, a janitor
MONTY NAVARRO (mid 20s –30s). Handsome and effortlessly charming, clever and charismatic, vulnerable and endearing, with a highly developed appreciation for life’s ironies. Monty is the engine of the plot; must be able to command attention and draw the audience in. Discovers he is in line to become the Earl of Highhurst, and intends to kill off the family that stands in his way. While he is intent on killing off the entire family tree, he must have a winning charm that would garner anybody’s trust. Must have excellent comedic timing, vocal variation, and physical skills. Legit Baritone. A2-A4.
SIBELLA (20s –mid 30s). Sexy, flirtatious, narcissistic, wilful girl that Monty loves - calculating, and irresistible. A social climber, yes, but also truly loves Monty, and in the end would do anything to protect him. Tremendous wit and high style. Strong mover. Character mezzo, F#3 to A5, belting not required.
PHOEBE (early 20s –early 30s). Beautiful, virtuous, forthright, romantic, comically earnest, with a backbone of steel. Monty’s young poised virtuous cousin (and potential wife). She is not your typical ingénue, though. Actress must have a sense of irony and humor, in addition to a youthful innocence behind her sophistication. Coloratura soprano, range B3 up to a high sustained C#6 with an optional high Eb6. Very flexible and agile. Also open to performers from a strong operatic background.
MISS SHINGLE (30s – 50s). a Cockney housekeeper/governess who has served a wealthy, titled family for 30 years. She informs Monty that he is indeed a D’Ysquith. Storytelling is paramount for her role. Will also appear in the ensemble numbers. Mezzo soprano, G3 to A5.
ENSEMBLE:
PLEASE NOTE – The character breakdowns are subject to change.
Voice types: Legit soprano, Mezzo, Alto, Tenor, High/Low Baritones. All should have decent to great movement/character physicality.
WOMAN #1: Mourner; Tour Guide; Ancestral Portrait; Skater; Bridesmaid; Pub Owner's Wife; MRS PEBWORTH; Phoebe's Maid; 3rd Newsboy; Tailor; Selina Chard (Servant); Flower Girl. G3 to A5.
WOMAN #2 (30s –late 40s). Plays LADY EUGENIA D'YSQUITH, an unhappily married countess. Overbearing and mean spirited at times, but comically so. Must be highly adept at the biting quip and the withering glare. Also plays MISS HETHERINGTON and Flower Girl and 4TH NEWSBOY. Vocal range F#3-A5
WOMAN #3 (mid 20s – mid 30s). Plays MISS BARLEY, an alluring artist model. Also plays SIBELLA’S MAID, HYACINTH COLLEAGUE, PHOEBE’S MAID, HILDA. Vocal range G3-C6
MAN #1 (20s – mid 30s). Appealing and attractive. Plays TOM COPLEY (aka FARMER), as well as 2ND CLERK, HYACINTH COLLEAGUE, 2ND NEWSBOY, ACTOR, ANCESTRAL BUST, DR. PETTIBONE, and GUARD. High baritone with a strong top; solid A2-A4.
MAN #2 (early 30s –40s). A versatile and appealing character man. Plays DETECTIVE PINCKEY, who has a featured number. Also plays 1ST CLERK, PUB OWNER, MR. CROSS, 1ST NEWSBOY, 1ST ACTOR, PHYSICIAN, and 2ND ANCESTRAL BUST. Bass, C2 to G#4.
MAN #3 (mid 20s –40s). A character man. Plays THE MAGISTRATE, as well as MR. GOODSALL, ACTOR, and MR. GORBY. THE MAGISTRATE has a featured number with DETECTIVE PINCKEY. True tenor. Bb2 –Bb4
Precast Characters:
None
Audition Venue & Dates
Audition Dates and Times:
7:00pm on:
- Sun 9th May 2021
- Mon 10th May 2021
Audition Venue Name: Malvern Theatre Company
Audition Venue Address:
29 Burke Rd, Malvern East, VIC, 3145
Audition Enquiries Contact: Alan Burrows - aburrow1@bigpond.net.au
Performances
Season Dates: 25 Mar 2022 - 8 Apr 2022
Showtimes:
2:00pm on:
- Sat 26th Mar 2022
- Sat 2nd Apr 2022
- Sun 3rd Apr 2022
8:00pm on:
- Fri 25th Mar 2022
- Sat 26th Mar 2022
- Wed 30th Mar 2022
- Thu 31st Mar 2022
- Fri 1st Apr 2022
- Sat 2nd Apr 2022
- Tue 5th Apr 2022
- Wed 6th Apr 2022
- Thu 7th Apr 2022
- Fri 8th Apr 2022
More info
Other Information
Other Information:
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Those auditioning will be asked to sing up to one minute of an uptempo musical theatre song, in the style of the show. The song should show off character, different voices, facial expression, physicality & range.
Auditioners should mark their selection with a highlighter. An accompanist will be provided. A cappella singing or recorded accompaniments will not be allowed.
Auditioners should also prepare a short, engaging paragraph, no more than 3-5 lines, which is from a published work such as a play, novel, or even a children’s book, that shows off word play, comedy, satire, and good rapport with an audience, etc. No monologue length speeches. We would just like something quick that can act as an intro or narration to a character or situation.
PLEASE NOTE
Audition appointment spaces are limited and filled on a first-come, first served basis.
Please check you are available for all performance dates before booking your audition time. Please also inform the Director at your audition, if there is a possibility of you taking on professional acting work that may conflict with rehearsal and performance dates. As this a joint production with the Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company, successful auditionees must commit to both seasons. Performances at Lilydale are from 2 September until 18 September.
Please have all conflicts for the rehearsal period available, and please note on Audition Form.
CALLBACKS
Monday 17 May, 2021 at 7:30pm (if needed) at the Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre.
REHEARSALS
Rehearsals will be held three times per week on Sunday, Monday & Thursday evenings (7:00-10:30pm), with some scheduled at Malvern and some at Lilydale. Some performers may be called for additional rehearsals which will be determined once we review all schedule conflicts from those cast in the production.
Rehearsals will begin on Tuesday 8 June 2021 at 7.30pm.
Successful cast members MUST BE available for rehearsal period commencing 8 June 2021 as well as all production dates.
