BATS

Bexhill Amateur Theatrical Society

Audition Notice

84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff, adapted by James Roose-Evans

Reading: Monday 17 June 7.30 pm

Audition: Saturday 22 June 10.30 am  Both at the Granary Barn

Performances 22-24 November at The Sanctuary, St John’s Church, Bexhill

This appealing play is adapted from lively transatlantic correspondence between a book collector in New York, and the manager and staff of an antiquarian bookshop in London, during 1949 to 1971. Interspersed with the ‘business’ aspects, in which books are discussed (mostly irreverently), ordered and dispatched, the play follows in a very human way the developing relationships between the collector and other characters, and events in their lives. The bulk of the dialogue is carried by the manager and the collector, but the other characters have worthwhile parts too.

Characters

Helene Hanff – The American book collector – witty, intelligent, great turns of phrase.

Frank Doel – The shop manager – very nice and caring man, good at his job.

Cecily Farr – Really nice, young enough to have young children.  Quite a few lines, on stage a lot.

Megan Wells – Middle-aged or younger.  Not many lines but on stage a lot.

Mr Martin – Old, ages during the play to very old, no lines but on stage a lot.

Bill Humphries – Middle-aged or younger, hardly any lines but on stage a lot.

Maxine Stuart – Helene’s friend, American, one long speech, limited time on stage.

Joan Todd – Joins the staff towards the end of the play.

Thomas – Joins the staff towards the end of the play.

The reading will not be part of the audition, rather a chance to see if you like the play and want to audition – or you can just turn up for a nice evening’s play-reading. You’ll find directions to the Granary Barn on www.thebats.co.uk.  If you can’t make the reading, I can lend you a script (I’ll want a deposit if we don’t know you). And if you can’t make the audition, an alternative date can be arranged if requested in good time.

I’ll need a Stage Manager and a prompter, so let me know if you’re interested.

From the profits, there’ll be a contribution to the BATS’ chosen charity for this year, the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

We’ll have a get-together once cast, and rehearsals will start in earnest in September.

Peter Bradbury

 

Audition pieces

Helene – Speeches on p20

Frank –  Speech on p22

Cecily - Speech on p29

Megan - Speech on p14

Bill - Speech on p14

Maxine - Speech on p16, to bottom of page.

Joan - Speech on p41

Mr Martin and Thomas – no audition pieces as such, we’ll chat.