Audition

A Happy and Holy Occasion

2 Feb 2025 @ 7:00pm,
3 Feb 2025 @ 7:00pm
Malvern Theatre Co. Inc.

Author: John O’Donoghue

Director: Nicholas Opolski

Genre: Drama

Agent: By arrangement with Conal O’Donoghue

Synopsis

It is February 1942, and tonight is a very happy and holy occasion. Tomorrow, young Christy will travel to Sydney to begin his studies for the priesthood. The O’Mahon family, proud Irish-Australians, throw a small party of farewell, with lamingtons and sing-alongs. But faith and duty can be heavy burdens, and the news of the war is increasingly grim – the family is forced to confront difficult truths.
Malvern Theatre Company is pleased to revive this classic Australian play. A joyous celebration of Irish-Australian humour and resilience, a study of faith and friendships, a drama of a family at pressure-point, ‘A Happy and Holy Occasion’ is a bitter-sweet portrait of a vanished Australia.

Characters

Acting Roles:

Mary O: Female. Aged 30-50. Australian. Romantic, dreamy. Ill-suited to the life she leads. Strong spirited, beginning to lose her grip on reality.

Genders: Female

Ages: 30-40, 40-55

Denny O: Male. Aged 30-50. Her husband. Irish. Under great pressure, trying to keep his family together.

Genders: Male

Ages: 30-40, 40-55

Christy O: Male. Aged early teens. Young looking. Australian. Polite, reserved, sometimes confused by the adults around him.

Genders: Male

Ages: Under 15

Tocky Keating: Male. Aged 30-50. Irish. Devoutly religious, but bitter and misanthropic.

Genders: Male

Ages: 30-40, 40-55

Father Thurlogh O’Gorman: Male. Aged 40. Irish. Charming, lively, fun-loving. A confident singing voice required.

Genders: Male

Ages: 30-40, 40-55

Breda Mulcahy: Female. Aged 30-40. Irish. Free-spirited, warm, generous.

Genders: Female

Ages: 30-40

Precast Characters:

Houses O'Halloran
Miss Siss

Audition Venue & Dates

Audition Dates and Times:

7:00pm on:

  • Sun 2nd Feb 2025
  • Mon 3rd Feb 2025

Audition Venue Name: Malvern Theatre

Audition Venue Address:

29 Burke Rd, Malvern East, VIC, 3145

Audition Enquiries Contact: Nicholas Opolski nopolski@hotmail.com 0400 507 788

Performances

Season Dates: 26 Apr 2025 - 10 May 2025

Showtimes:

2:00pm on:

  • Sun 27th Apr 2025
  • Sat 3rd May 2025
  • Sun 4th May 2025
  • Sat 10th May 2025

8:00pm on:

  • Sat 26th Apr 2025
  • Wed 30th Apr 2025
  • Thu 1st May 2025
  • Fri 2nd May 2025
  • Sat 3rd May 2025
  • Wed 7th May 2025
  • Thu 8th May 2025
  • Fri 9th May 2025
  • Sat 10th May 2025

Other Information

Other Information:

Auditions are strictly by appointment as arranged by the Director. They will be ‘closed auditions’ in 15 minute segments. A copy of the script will be provided, together with a list of the sections to be read at the audition. It is expected that auditionees will have read the play and have a reasonable understanding of it.
Successful cast members MUST BE available for rehearsals on Tuesday evenings, Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons/ evenings (to be determined) between mid February and 25 April 2025 as well as all production dates.
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.
You will be required to submit an online audition form with a headshot, prior to the audition, which will be sent out via email.
If you are successful, you will be required to become a member of the Malvern Theatre Company, if you are not already and abide by our Association Rules & Policies.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All cast and crew will be required to hold a current Working With Children (V) card. Parent or guardian of under-age auditionee to contact Director prior to audition.