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

Welcome Back to 2013!

Welcome back to Christchurch Theatre for 2013, let's look forward to another fantastic year for theatre in Christchurch - already there are plenty of shows and opportunities coming up...

Upcoming Auditions: Elmwood Players' Cosi

On the 23 and 24 February, Elmwood Players are holding auditions for their upcoming drama Cosi. Cosi is Lousie Nowra' semi-autobiographical play set in a Melbourne mental institution in 1971:

 The venue is a theatre that smells of "burnt wood and mould", the cast are patients with very diverse needs, and the play is Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte”. Through working with the patients, [director] Lewis eventually discovers a new side of himself which allows him to become emotionally involved and to value love, while anti-Vietnam war protests erupt in the streets outside.

The play will be directed by Garry Thomas and will be on stage in April of this year.  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.


Upcoming Show: The Near-Sighted Knight and the Far-Sighted Dragon

A fun, action-filled fairy tale for the whole family, Eleanor and Ray Harder's story of kings, princesses, knights and dragons comes to the stage this summer just in time to stave off the post-Christmas blues.

“This is a wonderful tale suitable for the whole family, and ideal holiday entertainment”, say the directors. "With a talented and creative cast plus live music, singing and dancing, this is bound to be a fun time for all involved’"

Performances are Thurs - Sun from 17 - 27 January: 6.30 pm Thurs/Fri and 11.00/2.00 Sat/Sun at Elmwood Auditorium.  .
Tickets $7 for all. Tickets can be booked online via the Elmwood Players' website or by calling (03) 355 8874. 
Directed by Susan Cameron and Garry Thomas.

AUDITIONS 11-SEPT-12

Auditions: Dramasoc's 3Some
Dramasoc is holding auditions for their annual short play event 3Some TONIGHT (apologies for the late notice, the announcement was only made Sunday night!).  Email canterburydramasoc@gmail.com to book at time and see the event on Facebook to find out more about the plays being performed.

Auditions: Harlequin Players's summer musical 
Harlequin Players are holding auditions next weekend for their summer production of the Roger Hall musical The Adventures of Robin Hood. 
Auditions will be held on 22 Sept at St. Aidan's Hall, Aorangi Rd from 1-6pm and 23 Sept at Abberley Park Hall, Abberley Cresc from 10-3.30pm.
Roles required include ROBIN HOOD, MAID MARION, SHERIFF, BESS, SIR GUY, ALAN-A-DALE, LITTLE JOHN and HARRIET.  They are also looking for actors to play Robin Hood's 10 Merry Men, Barons and Partners, 10 experienced dancers and 6 young actors to play little rabbits.  Actors of all ages and experience-levels are encouraged to audition.
To book an audition time call 331-6162 or 386-0526 or email lloyd-smith@xtra.co.nz
Production dates are 13-20 January 2012 in St Albans
The club will also be looking for people to help with backstage roles, wardrobe assistants and costume designers, and a front of house team.

AUDITIONS: Beauty and the Beast - Harlequin Players

Harlequin Players are holding auditions for their Kidsfest production of Beauty and the Beast.
Audition Times are Saturday April 28, from 1.15 to 5.45pm at St Aiden’s Church, Bryndwr and on Sunday April 29 from 11.30 to 3.30  at Abberley Hall, Abberley Crescent, St Albans.


Roles are available for 3 men and 4 women as well as some "Fairy Roles" for girls/teens.  Singing required, dance ability preferred.  Audition will require singing - children/teens advised to prepare something simple like Twinkle, Twinkle. If you would like to peruse the script beforehand, please advise so when making an audition appointment.

Rehearsals: Saturdays 1-6; Sundays 11:15-3:45, and Thursdays 6-8
(Extra rehearsals the week prior to the show)
Shows: Cashmere High School Auditorium, Rose St, Somerfield.
Mon 9 to Fri 13 Jul: 6:30pm-8:00pm. Sat 14 to Sun 15 Jul: 11:00am-12:30pm, 2:00pm-3:30pm

For more information see the event on Facebook or call/email as per below.

To book an audition time call 386 0526  or email moment_in_time@hotmail.com

REVIEW: Billy Goats Gruff

Noel the Troll and the three Billy Goats Gruff have one thing in common - they are all mightily hungry and want some grub to fill their tums.  Fortunately for Noel, the goats will need to cross his bridge to get to the much greener grass on The Other Side.  Sadly for our goat friends, goat is Noel's favourite food.

The simple tale of the Three Billy Goats Gruff comes to life on stage, each of the three goats a unique character (although only one of them is either gruff or a billy) with Sebastian Boyle as Granddaddy Goat the scene-stealer of the trio.

One of the highlights of the play is the construction of Noel the Troll, who is made up of three puppeteers, a big red mouth and huge googly eyes.  Those involved in bringing Noel to life are to be congratulated for their creativity as well as their cohesion in performing separately as eyes, voice (Josh Bertwhistle) and limbs.  Despite his terrible goat-eating habits, the audience can't help but empathise with Noel's plight and thanks to a delightful twist, he turns out to be our friend after all.
The show is funny and entertaining, most of the scripted gags aimed at the kids, although there are a few thrown in for Mum and Dad as well.  Billy Goats Gruff is a clever and cute show and will charm a young audience.

 

Billy Goats Gruff runs from the 7^th - 22^nd April at The Malthouse, 71 Colombo St. Performances are 11am and 2pm Saturday and Sunday. Booking and more information is available on 0800 BOOKINGS. All tickets $7. Running time approx 45 minutes, recommended age 3-8 years.

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.

AUDITION NOTICE

Cantebrury Children's Theatre is holding auditions this weekend for Billy Goats Gruff.  They are not just looking for actors but also puppeteers to operate the grumpy old troll and budding percussionists to create on-stage sound effects.
This is a very cool opportunity that doesn't appear often - no experience is needed if you want to be a puppeteer or coconut-banging "audio technician".  
If this sounds like it might be up your alley, email Matt - fauxparse@gmail.com - ASAP to book an audition slot.
For more info, see the event page on Facebook.

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.

Reminder: AUDITIONS

This is a reminder post about auditions for Elmwood Players' Children Theatre this summer (details follow):

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.

AUDITION NOTICE

Canterbury Children's Theatre will be holding auditions for their September/October season of Cinderella.