Mordialloc Theatre Co. Inc.
Author: Roger Hall
Director: David Collins
Genre: Comedy
Agent: PLAYMARKET.org.nz
Synopsis
Four Flat Whites in Italy is the hilarious story of retired librarians, Adrian and Alison. They have scrimped and saved for the holiday of a lifetime with another couple they’ve known for years. Shortly before leaving, one of these friends breaks his ankle and the couple is unable to join them. Stepping into the breach are their two new neighbours, brash Harry, a retired plumber and his sexy young wife, Judy, who both insist on flying business class. What follows is an hilarious clash of budgets, interests, politics, culture, sex, religion, sport and coffee!
Characters
Characters Summary:
Adrian (40-50s): Recently retired university librarian.
Alison (40-50s): Adrian’s wife, also a librarian.
Harry (40-50s): Retired businessman.
Judy (40-50s): Harry’s second, younger (but not by too much) wife.
Italian Male (30-40s): Plays multiple smaller roles,
Italian Female (30-40s): Plays multiple smaller roles
Characters Description:
ADRIAN (40-50s):
Recently retired university librarian. He is reserved and
repressed, but also intelligent and self-deprecating. Along
with his dialogue with the other characters, Adrian also tells
the story of the play directly to the audience.
ALISON(40-50s):
Adrian’s wife, also a librarian. Alison is disappointed in what
life has thrown at her, which is partly why she over-organises
so much in her life. She is determined for the holiday to
strictly follow her itinerary, which leads to no shortage of
tension and conflict.
HARRY (40-50s):
Retired businessman. Jovial, outspoken and un- ashamedly
right wing. Harry is unabashed in enjoying the spoils his hard
work has provided. He is energetic, flirty and finds it hard to
admit when he’s at fault.
JUDY (40-50s):
Harry’s second, younger (but not by too much) wife.
Outgoing and confident, Judy genuinely loves Harry. She’s
warm and friendly, and isn’t afraid to defend herself if
pushed.
ITALIAN MALE (30-40s):
Plays multiple smaller roles, including various waiters,
Gondolier, “Centurion” and a local Count (owner of the villa at
the end of Act 2).
ITALIAN FEMALE (30-40s):
Plays multiple smaller roles, including a hotel clerk, waitress
(Eastern European, non-speaking), tour guide, Avis Car Hire
staff, dress shop assistant, and Nicola (co- owner of the villa at
the end of Act 2, married to the Count)
The actors in the roles of Italian Male and Italian Female will be playing multiple supporting characters throughout the show. Some of these characters will be silent, while others have dialogue (either speaking Italian or English with different Italian accents (alters based on age and background), but all are fun and will present the actors with an exciting physical and vocal challenge.
A further note on accents: The natural accent of each actor in the respective role of Adrian, Alison, Harry, and Judy will suffice. The Italian Male & Italian Female will be required to speak a little Italian when dictated by the script, with any English dialogue to be delivered with an Italian accent (differing strengths and tone of voice depending on the character).
Precast Characters:
No characters have been pre-cast.
Audition Venue & Dates
Audition Dates and Times:
2:00pm on:
7:30pm on:
Audition Venue Name: Mordialloc Theatre Company
Audition Venue Address:
Unit 8/417-419 Warrigal Rd. Cheltenham
Audition Enquiries Contact: David Collins: divcollins@gmail.com or call 0422 362 745
Performances
Season Dates: 10 Nov 2023 - 25 Nov 2023
Showtimes:
2:30pm on:
- Sun 12th Nov 2023
- Sat 18th Nov 2023
- Sun 19th Nov 2023
8:00pm on:
- Fri 10th Nov 2023
- Sat 11th Nov 2023
- Thu 16th Nov 2023
- Fri 17th Nov 2023
- Sat 18th Nov 2023
- Thu 23rd Nov 2023
- Fri 24th Nov 2023
- Sat 25th Nov 2023
More info
Other Information
Other Information:
SYNOPSIS:
It’s 2007, and with guidebook in hand, recently retired librarians Alison and Adrian are excitedly embarking with their best friends on a long-awaited trip of a lifetime to Italy. But, when those friends suddenly can’t go, they find themselves sharing their precious holiday with their new neighbours they’ve only just met: the rambunctious Harry and his second (but not trophy) wife, Judy. As these delightfully mis-matched couples valiantly negotiate late flights, missed bookings, changing plans and Rome’s infamous Ring Road, it’s not just culture shock and a language barrier our travellers have to deal with – it’s also each other in this highly entertaining comedy.
• It is necessary that you are familiar with the play when you come
to the auditions.
Copies of the script can be obtained by emailing the director.
• Please advise if you will be attending and on what day you would
like to make a booking.
• Rehearsals will be held on two nights during the week and on
Sundays. The specific dates and times will be discussed and
finalised on casting, commencing on 22 August.
Some of David Collins’ recent directorial credits include Flipside (Brighton Theatre Company, 2921), The Mystery of Irma Vep: A Penny Dreadful (Beaumaris Theatre Company, 2018) and An Unseasonal Fall of Snow (Essendon Theatre Company, 2018). His successful run of family shows for Encore Theatre (James and The Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, The Witches and George’s Marvellous Medicine) were a critical and box office success.
Four Flat Whites in Italy will be David’s first play as director for Mordialloc Theatre Company.
