Auditions
Background
The death of a much loved husband prompts a group of ordinary women in a small Yorkshire Women's Institute to do an extraordinary thing. Blasting away all preconceptions of what it is to be in a women's institute, they decide to do an artistic nude calendar to raise money for charity. Upturning preconceptions is a dangerous business and none of them expect the emotional and personal ramifications, but gradually the making of the fabulous and funny calendar brings each woman unexpectedly into flower.
The true story of the Calendar Girls launched a global phenomenon, a million copycat calendars, a record breaking movie, stage play and musical written by Tim Firth and Gary Barlow which coined the term "craughing" - the act of crying and laughing at the same time.
With unforgettable songs, every performance continues to add to the millions already raised for charity and also prove that there is no such thing as an ordinary woman.
Director & Choreographer: Sheila Driver
Musical Director: Lynne Merrifield
Producer: Jess Russell & Sarah Roberts
Performances at Strode Theatre, Street:
Wednesday 22nd April at 7.30pm
Thursday 23rd April at 7.30pm
Friday 24th April at 7.30pm
Saturday 25th April at 2.30pm (matinee)
Saturday 25th April at 7.30pm
Rehearsal dates
Mondays and Wednesdays at St Mary’s Catholic Church Hall, Magdalene Street, Glastonbury (rear of church - What3Words: ///closes.coats.allowable), starting from Wednesday 12th November.
You will also need to be available on Sunday 19th, Monday 20th (evening) and Tuesday 21st (evening) April for band call, tech and dress rehearsals.
Characters and audition material
Female parts | Male parts | Chorus
Chris – age 50s. (to audition with Annie)
Lively and friendly, likes to be the centre of attention, the sort of person you want to have at your party! Without Chris in her life Annie would be better behaved but would have less fun. Chris is mother of Danny and married to Rod.
Audition pieces:
Script Audition: 1-2-19 From “Looks alright y’r bloke” to “dull guest speaker”
Music Audition: No 10 “Sunflower”
Annie - age 50s (to audition with Chris)
Calm and empathetic, dislikes conflict but is ready to join in mischief. She has enough edge to be interesting and enough salt not to be too sweet. Annie is married to John.
Audition pieces:
Script Audition: 1-2-19 From “Looks alright y’r bloke” to “dull guest speaker”
Music Audition: No 19 “Kilimanjaro”
Cora - aged around 40
Cora is the joker in the pack but never plays the fool, she has a dead pan wit which raises laughter in others but rarely in herself. Cora is a single mum to Tommo and ‘plays’ the piano in the show.
Audition pieces:
Script Audition: 1-5-24 From “Merry Christmas Fella’s” to “Stop moaning “
Music Audition: No 5 “Who Wants a Silent Night”
Jessie - age late 60s/70s
A retired teacher, inspirational and making the most of life. She is loyal, but doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Jessie has been married to Colin for a long time, who is never surprised by her actions!
Audition pieces:
Script Audition: 2-2-81 From “No I was never, I wouldn’t” into the song. Then pick up 2-2-83 From “Sorry Jess, just to clarify” to “it wasn’t my husband”
Music Audition: No 17 “What Age Expects”
Celia - aged between 35 and 50
An ex air hostess, the most glamorous of the women. She has a rebellious streak, is wealthy and likes to show off her assets – in no way a shrinking violet. Celia is married to Denis.
Audition pieces:
Script Audition: 1-7-39 From “Beautiful meringues arriving” to “straightest courgette.
Music Audition: No 16 “So I’ve had a Little Work Done”
Ruth - age 40s
Eager to please and keep all happy. Ruth’s journey is from the false self confidence of the emotionally abused to the genuine self confidence of a woman happy in her own skin.
Audition pieces:
Script Audition: 2-12-57 From “According to Ray in the Post Office” to “What the hell are you thinking Chris?””
Music Audition: No 21 “My Russian Friend”
Marie – age 50s
Chair of the WI. The Wi gives her the status she craves, which justifies her existence. There is a lingering part of Marie that would love to be on that calendar! Marie is mother of Jenny.
Audition pieces:
Script Audition: 1-2-16 From “See this is it Marie” to “Sorry” (top of 1.2.17)
Music Audition: No 23 “Sunflower of Yorkshire” – Bar 137 to 148
Jenny – playing age 16-19 (Reader for Chris & Annie)
Marie’s daughter and a rebellious teenager.
Audition pieces:
Script Audition: 2-8-100 From “It’ll be fine, it’ll be fine” to “Yes they do, you did.”
Music Audition: No 14 “Protect Me Less”
Miss Wilson (Tea) and Miss Wilson (Coffee) – (no script audition required – to be selected from company)
Two sisters who are part of the fabric of the village and stalwarts of the WI. They say nothing except their drinks offerings.
Audition pieces:
Music Audition: No 23 “Sunflower of Yorkshire” – Bar 137 to 148
Brenda Hulse and Lady Cravenshire - age 50s to 70s. (no script audition required – to be selected from company)
Speaker at the WI / local dignitary. Could be played by the same person and will also double as chorus.
Audition pieces:
Music Audition: No 23 “Sunflower of Yorkshire” – Bar 137 to 14
Danny – playing age 16-19 (to audition with Tommo)
Chris and Rod’s son. The conscientious head boy.
Audition pieces:
Script Audition: 1-4-23 From “Tommo are you helping me? ” to “potential is always embraced”
Music Audition: No 14 “Protect Me Less”
Tommo – playing age 16-19 (to audition with Danny)
Best mate to Danny and Cora, his mum.
Audition pieces:
Script Audition: 1-4-23 From “Tommo are you helping me? ” to “potential is always embraced”
Music Audition: No 8 “Girls” / “Hello Yorkshire” / “I’m a Virgin”
John – age 50s
John, Annie’s husband, is a human Sunflower – kind, generous and liked by all – his loss is felt by everyone.
Audition pieces:
Script Audition: 1-8-47 From “The flowers of Yorkshire” to “such a lesson in life”
Music Audition: No 1 “Yorkshire” – Bar 1 to 61
Rod – age 50s
Chris’s husband and John’s mate. Loves life with the unpredictable Chris. Has a dead pan humour and is committed to making his shop a success. Drinks a lot but never too much as to be a problem.
Audition pieces:
Script Audition: 2-8-99 From “Here he is, love’s young dream” – “who wants a silent night”
Music Audition: No 23 “Sunflower of Yorkshire” – Bar 137 to 148
Colin – age 70s (to audition with Rod & Denis)
Jessie’s husband – both rebellious and compliant in their relationship.
Audition pieces:
Script Audition: 2-1-64 From “There we are, there we are ” to “No, no – God, course they. No!””
Music Audition: No 13 “Girls “ (Village Green) – Bar 137 to 148
Denis – age 50s (to audition with Rod & Colin)
Celia’s husband. A working class lad who has done well. Captain of the Golf Club and proud of it.
Audition pieces:
Script Audition: 2-1-64 From “There we are, there we are ” to “No, no – God, course they. No!””
Music Audition: No 23 “Sunflower of Yorkshire” – Bar 137 to 148
Lawrence – age 20s/30s
A shy, rather nervous young man but with enough wit to make a joke and enough spirit to turn up at the WI! Focussed on his art – photography.
Audition pieces:
Script Audition: 2-2-72 From “this is Celia, Jessie ” to “the person doing it is nude”
Music Audition: No 23 “Sunflower of Yorkshire” – Bar 137 to 148
Chorus
There will be a small chorus of Knapely inhabitants / members of the WI who will be interspersed throughout the show where appropriate.
Audition pieces:
Music Audition: No 23 “Sunflower of Yorkshire” – Bar 137 to 148
Complete an audition form
(by Monday 3rd November)