AUDITIONS 15-FEB-12

Plenty of auditions coming up in the next couple of weeks for those that want to get really stuck into a good acting role, plus school holiday show season is almost upon us (already!).

Auditions: Riccarton Players' Murder by Membership Only

On the 17th February (this coming Sunday), the Riccarton Players are holding auditions for their Autumn season of Murder by Membership Only. Written by Thomas Hischak, the play takes place in the Orczy Club, an exclusive sanctum for women mystery writers in London.  A humorous, suspenseful, and sometimes frightening "Whodunnit" play with a strong cast and many excellent roles for women.

"How would it look if a roomful of mystery writers had to go to the police to solve a murder that took place under their very noses?"

Roles available:
HESTER TANDY: writer; intelligent, frank, likeable (30-50)
LYDIA BEATON: secretary; cold, efficient, nervous 
MRS PLIMPTON: club member; quiet, aloof, dominating speaker (30-50)
MADAME LECOQ: club proprietor; French, motherly, warm (50s-60s)
CLARICE FERGUSSON: club member; harsh, impatient, not liked (40-50)
MRS BALSER: the cook; quiet, but complaining (40-50)
EVE HAWKINS: writer; American, fresh, vibrant, talkative (20s-40s)
OCTAVIA STURGES: famous writer/celebrity; loud, demanding, snobbish (50s-60s)
MAY COBBS: journalist; awkward, uncomfortable (20s)

Auditions will be taking place in the Upper Riccarton Library, for a complete script or audition time - or with any query - please contact the director at christina_stachurski@hotmail.com or phone 960 9624 evenings.  To find out more about the show and the club, see the Riccarton Players' website.


Reminder: Auditions for Elmwood Players' Cosi

As previously announced, Elmwood Players are holding auditions next weekend for Cosi, a semi-autobiographical drama by Louis Nowra set in a mental institution.

Roles Available
LEWIS: 21, just left university, a first time director.
LUCY: Early 20’s, doing an MA thesis and lives with Lewis
NICK: Early 20’s, also doing a thesis and directs student productions.
JUSTIN: A social worker in his late 30’s/early 40’s; neat and precise
ROY: 40 – 50, a mental patient who has spent much of his life in institutions
HENRY: 40 – 50, a former lawyer who is now a patient; like Roy he has spent much of his adult life in institutions.
DOUG: 20 – 30, has a liking for fires; has not been in institutions for very long
CHERRY: 25 – 35, has also been in institutions for some time.
JULIE: Early 20’s, is in a mental institution for the first time due to a drug dependency.
RUTH: 30 – 40, an obsessive personality, who is in and out of mental institutions.
ZAC: 25 – 30, the musician of the group who has also been in and out of mental institutions
Note:

Justin, Nick and Zac can be played by the same person if desired, likewise Lucy and Julie.

For more information about the play and roles available, or to book an audition time, see the Elmwood Players' website or contact Gaz on 021 453 138.


Auditions: Canterbury Children's Theatre

On 9 March, Cantebury Children's Theatre is holding auditions for their upcoming April school holiday production of Slow Runnings: A Tortoise and Hare Story.  

Since winning The Big Race, Hare has been enjoying the fame and fortune that come with being the Fastest Animal Around: TV interviews, fancy parties, and lucrative sponsorship deals. But what happens when Tortoise, a total newcomer to the sport, challenges her to a race?

Roles Available:

HARE: Having trained furiously as a leveret, it's now been years since Hare's had to work for anything. Vain and self-absorbed, Hare is the apotheosis of sports celebrity.

TORTOISE: Humble and deliberate, Tortoise is nonetheless incensed that Hare should get the prestige of a title like Fastest Animal Around without racing all the other animals.
PIG: Hare's former trainer and now proprietor of Pig's Sports Shoes, Pig is a champion of the underdog.
FOX: A cameo role as a sportscaster. Could be entirely prerecorded audio.
CROW: Another sportscaster. Could be entirely prerecorded audio.
They are also looking for three non-speaking crew roles - although there are no lines or specific characters these roles are on-stage and are vital to bringing the world of the play to life.

To book an audition time or to find out more about how to get involved, email Matt Powell at fauxparse@gmail.com

Auditions and Shows 13-NOV-12

Upcoming Auditions: The Christchurch Pops Choir
Christchurch Pops Choir is holding auditions next month, giving singers across Christchurch a rare chance to join one of the South Island's top musical ensembles.  The Choir has performed at events across Canterbury, from corporate functions to community events like The Concert and is quickly becoming renowned not only for their sweet sounds and vocal prowess, but for being a tight-knit community of down-to-earth musicians.
In order to audition, you will need to fill out this webform, and prepare 16 bars each from two contrasting songs of your choice.  Auditions will be held at NASDA at CPIT on Saturday the 8th December.
To learn more about Christchurch Pops Choir, see their Page on Facebook.

Tickets on Sale: Riccarton Players present Footrot Flats

Based on Murray Ball's much loved comic strip, Footrot Flats is a real Kiwi comedy.

 

Performances are Tues 20th - Sat 24th November at Rudolf Steiner School.  Shows start at 7.30pm with a 2pm matinee on the Saturday.
Tickets $27.50/$22.50 Children - $15. Tickets can be booked online via the Riccarton Players' website. Directed by Doug Clarke, with Musical Direction by Cheryllynn Callander, Choreography by Annette Searle.

Coming Soon: TheVisitor 

This dark, psychological thriller, which has played at Wellington and Dunedin Fringe Festivals is coming to Christchurch soon. To find out more about the play, see this Page on Facebook.
The Visitor is on at the darkroom from Nov 25 - 27 and at theWunderbar from Dec 2-3.  Information on the Christchurch production is available here.

 

SHOWS! 12-Sept-12

Next month, Elmwood Players presents Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell

 

 From the Elmwood Players' website:  

 "Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell" centres around real-life journalist Jeffery Bernard, who wrote the "Low Life" column in The Spectator.
The play's title refers to the magazine's habit of printing a oneline apology on a blank page when he was too drunk or hungover to produce the required copy and a substitute article could not be found before the deadline for publication.

Its premise is that Bernard has found himself locked in overnight at his favourite public house, the Coach And Horses, and uses the occasion to share anecdotes from his life with the audience.

Performances are Wed-Sat, Oct 3rd - 13th.  Shows start at 7.30pm at the Elmwood Auditorium.
Tickets $20/$15. To book tickets call 03 355 8874 or use the online booking form.  Directed by Heather Giles.

This summer, the Riccarton Players are performing the upbeat Roger Hall musical Footrot Flats.

This very fun, very Kiwi, farmyard musical features all the favourite Footrot Flats characters led by Wal and Dog: from Pongo, Wal's niece, to Cooch the tree-hugger; from Aunt Dolly and her precious Corgi to Wal's townie girlfriend Cheeky Hobson, plus a paddock-load of dancing sheep, pigs and of course Horse the Cat.



Performances are Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th November.  Shows start at 7.30pm at Rudolf Steiner School plus a 2pm matinee on the Saturday.  Tickets are $27.50 Waged/$22.50 Unwaged/$15 Students.To book tickets, see the Riccarton Players' website. Note that the Friday night performance has already sold out.

Calls For Cast & Crew 24-JULY-12

Auditions: Rangiora Players' October Production

The Rangiora Players will be presenting Roger Hall's "Market Forces", an immensely popular sequel to Hall's breakthrough play "Glide Time". The production is being directed by Dimitri Gibara.
Auditions will be held this weekend on the 28th July at the Rangiora Players Little Theatre at Northbrook Studios.
Roles available are as follows:
BERYL Female, Mid 40s
BRIAN Male, Late 30s/Early 40s
HUGH Male, Mid 50s
JIM Male, Pushing 60
JOHN Male, 50 years old
JULIE Female, Early 30s
RAEWYN Female, Worn down, late 30s

Perfomances: October 18^th, 19^th, 20^th, 25^th, 26^th, 27^th. Weekday performances are in the evenings (6:30pm call) and there may be matinee performances on the Saturdays.
For more information see their website or call as per below.
To book an audition time call Margaret (03) 313-8592
If you are interested in crewing this show, please get in touch with the Rangiora Players via the contact form on their website.

Auditions: Riccarton Players' Summer Musical Riccarton Players are also producing a Roger Hall classic this year, the very kiwi musical, Footrot Flats, based on Murray Ball's beloved comic strip. Auditions will be held on August 11th at West Spreydon School.
There are many lead, featured and chorus roles available, for a full list of required cast, please see the Riccarton Players' website.
Performance dates are November 20th - 24th at the Rudolf Steiner School Theatre.
For more information and to book an audition time please contact Doug Clarke on 021-252-1722 or doug.clarke@clear.net.nz.

Tickets On Sale Now for ARPOV

Tickets are now on sale for the Riccarton Players' 2012 production of A Riccartonian Palace of Varieties (affectionately referred to as ARPOV by the Riccies).  Performed in Old Town Music Hall style, ARPOV is a warming winter variety show of song and dance numbers.  ARPOV is on this June, with 10 shows including 2 matinees.  To find out more about the show or to book seats, see the Riccarton Players' website or phone (03) 3384 699.

Performances are Wed-Sat 6-16 June, 8pm start or 2pm Saturday matinee.
Tickets are $12/15

AUDITION NOTICE: Kidsfest

The Riccarton Players are holding auditions this weekend for their Kidsfest production of The Three Little Pigs.  The Riccies are looking for eight energetic and quick-thinking actors to play the Big Bad Wolf, the three wee pigs as well as several other well-known fairytale characters.
Auditions are this Saturday the 12th May between 12pm and 3pm at West Spreydon School, please contact JB on 021 576 969 or akqj10@clear.net.nz

Performances are in the July school holidays (4th to 15th July) at The Hagley Open Stage.

For more information, see the Riccarton Players' website.

Coming Up These School Holidays

Christchurch has plenty of theatrical entertainment to bring to the Easter school holidays... 

Riccarton Players' Playbox - The Princess and the Frog
Another Playbox Theatre production is on its way from the Riccies.  The Princess and the Frog and Other Stories, Songs and Poems will be on at the Open Stage at Hagley College.  The show runs from April 12th to April 22nd, with performances 6pm on Thursdays and Fridays and 11am and 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays - tickets are $7 for everyone.  Bookings are available online or on 03 338 4699.

Directed by Phil Dean and Susan Cameron.  Running time approx 60 minutes.

The Playbox Theatre season often sells out quickly, so booking as early as possible is highly recommended.

Canterbury Children's Theatre - Billy Goats Gruff

The Malthouse presents their April season of Cushion Theatre, Billy Goats Gruff.  The show runs weekends from the 7th to the 22 April with performances at 11am and 2pm.  All seats are $7.  Bookings are available via 0800 BOOKINGS or find out more online.

Written by Scott Koorey, directed by Matt Powell.  Running time approx 60 minutes.



If you have a kids' show on during the school holidays that you'd like to have added to this post, let me know via email.

Riccarton Players presents After September

 Riccarton Players will be performing After September this April on the Open Stage at Hagley College.

The staff of the Gwendolen Kyte School for Girls are an odd assortment of social misfits and eccentric types, some of whom have been at the school for over twenty years.
The day before the new term begins they return to a catalogue of catastrophe: a ceiling has collapsed, the staff will have to share their quarters, and there is no food yet because the bills have not been paid from the last term. Tension reaches breaking point when a government inspector arrives with anonymous letters defaming the school as outmoded, old-fashioned and unsafe, and the staff unqualified.
Who could have betrayed them?  And if the school is closed down, where will they go?

This is a warm, touching and often very funny play - set in the early 1960s.

After September runs from 11-21 April (shows are Wednesday through Saturday), performances start at 8pm and tickets are priced $18/$15.  Bookings are available on 03 338 4699 or through the Riccarton Players website.

The Riccarton Players Presents DEATH & TAXE$

The Riccarton Players will be performing DEATH & TAXE$ this month:

"Death & Taxe$" is a madcap financial farce set in the very topical world of insurance, investments and KiwiSaver! It's a crime story. It's a ghost story. It’s a hilarious comedy featuring dodgy deals, a potty psychic, a fishy tax inspector, a nutty cop, murder, mayhem and a hairy Yak!

DEATH & TAXE$ runs from Wednesday 7 March to the 17th on the Open Stage at Hagley College. 
Tickets can be booked online, or by calling 03 3384 699. 
Performances start at 8pm. 
Tickets are $18 Waged, $15 Student/Unwaged.

Directed by Craig Hutchinson.

For more information, see the Riccarton Players' website.


If you have any objections to anything posted on this blog, please raise your concerns with me - I will remove offending material if necessary.

AUDITION NOTICE

Riccarton Players are holding auditions this month for their upcoming Playbox production of the Princess and the Frog.  Directors Phil Dean and Susan Cameron are looking for six enthusiastic and energetic actors of any age for this one-hour, interactive kids' show.

Auditions will be held Saturday the 25th February between 12pm and 5pm in Bishopdale.

Performance dates are April 12th to 22nd.

Contact Claire Clark on 021-0237-3855 or see the Riccarton Players' website for further information.

AUDITION NOTICE

Riccarton Players will be holding auditions this month for Death & Taxes, a New Zealand comedy by April Phillips:

"Death &Taxe$" is a madcap financial farce set in the very topical world of insurance, investments and KiwiSaver! It's a crime story. It's a ghost story. It’s a hilarious comedy featuring dodgy deals, a potty psychic, a fishy tax inspector, a nutty cop, murder, mayhem and a hairy Yak!

The cast includes the following characters:


GARETH BURKE - Middle or late middle-aged insurance agent.  An arrogant, show-off who thinks he’s God’s gift.  Gareth gesticulates punctuation.
TIFFANY MARTIN - Late 20’s/early 30’s – Receptionist.  A bimbo with attitude and a gold digger.
ENID BURKE  - Middle or late middle-aged – Gareth’s wife. A domineering, large, intimidating woman with expensive taste.
BOB GREENE  - Early 40’s.  An unambitious insurance agent.  Nice and polite and single; still lives with his mother.
LUCILLE POTTS - Middle-aged female insurance agent.  Lucille is an ambitious saleswoman.  She is a dowdy, frumpy spinster and although confident in business, she is extremely uncomfortable with anything of a sexual or personal nature.
DOUGLAS GRAVES - Middle-aged Business Development Manager.  Nasal and monotone, unsmiling and slightly creepy.  Think of Mr Bean crossed with the manic depressive robot from “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy”
TED PATCHETT - 30’s or 40’s – detective inspector who habitually quotes from movies and impersonates his favourite stars.
ELIZABETH BATTERSEA -  Aged 68 – a forthright widow who doesn’t suffer fools and speaks her mind.


Performance dates are March 7th to 17th.  Auditions are on Saturday, January 14th - to book an audition time or to find out more, contact Craig Hutchison on 027 439 9691 or craig@casnz.co.nz

Riccarton Players Present Jesus Christ Superstar!

The Riccarton Players will be performing Jesus Christ Superstar this December.  JC will be a fantastic night of theatre to end what has been a difficult year for the Riccies, who lost the precious and historic Mill Theatre in the February earthquake.

Jesus Christ Superstar runs from the 1st December to the 10th in the NASDA theatre on the CPIT campus. 
Tickets are available online, or by calling 03 3384 699. 
Performances start at 7.30pm with a 2pm matinee on the Saturdays. 
Tickets are $27.50 Waged, $22.50 Student/Unwaged, and $15 for Children.

Directed by Doug Clarke, QSM.

For more information, see the event on Facebook, or The Riccarton Players' website.


If you have any objections to anything posted on this blog, please raise your concerns with me - I will remove offending material if necessary.

AUDITION NOTICE

Riccarton Players are holding auditions for their January season of Geraldine Brophy's The Viagra Monologues.  They are looking for three experienced male actors.  Auditions will be held on Saturday the 19th November in Burwood.  Performance dates are January 18th - 28th 2012.  The play is comprised of 15 monologues and is a fantastic opportunity for actors wanting a challenge.    
 
Scripts are available by contacting Cathy Jaeger on  03 942 9221 or cathy.jaeger@hotmail.com.
 
For more information, see the Riccarton Players' audition page.
 

If you have any objections to anything posted on this blog, please raise your concerns with me - I will remove offending material if necessary.

AUDITION NOTICE (very short notice)

Riccarton Players will be holding auditions for their upcoming Playbox production this weekend.

Congratulations To Riccarton Players

A big congratulations are in order for Riccarton Players - their 2011 Kidsfest season of Badjelly the Witch has completely sold out! 
Wishing you all the best for a fun-filled run.

Bums on Seats

One of the things I want to emphasise on this blog is the importance of attending the shows everyone else is putting on.  Thespians need to get into those comfy little flip-up chairs and watch some theatre.  I'm very guilty myself of being supposedly too poor/busy/snobby to go and see so many amateur plays and productions and yet I'm the first to whinge when I get a small audience.