Arsenic and Old Lace

 AUDITION
March, 2010
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Joseph Kesselring

Róisín and Sinéad Bevan

Audition Notice: Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring

Directors: Róisín and Sinéad Bevan

Auditions will be held on the 20th and 21st of March from 1:00pm at the Midland Junction Arts Centre, corner of Cale St and Great Eastern Hwy, Midland, for a large cast of 3 females and 11 males for a June production of Joseph Kesselring's Arsenic and Old Lace. The season will run from June 17th to 27th. We are also seeking crew for this community production, so if you would like to be involved in a backstage role, please contact us!

Auditions will be very friendly, relaxed and done as a group. Auditionees will be required to demonstrate a convincing American accent (preferably a Brooklyn, New York one), unless auditioning for the role of Dr Einstein, which will require a German accent. Sections of the script will be available for read-through on the day.

Brief Plot Summary:

Arsenic and Old Lace, set in 1941, centres around the Brewster family of Brooklyn, New York. Abby and Martha Brewster are sweet elderly women who poison lonely old men with arsenic-laced elderberry wine. Their nephew Teddy suffers delusions that he is Theodore Roosevelt. Their nephew Jonathan is a psychopathic killer on the run. Their third nephew Mortimer is caught in the middle, left to wonder whether insanity is simply a family trait.

Character List:

Note: The suggested ages are stage ages only, so if you are 23 and can convincingly play a character in their sixties, then we believe there's nothing good stage makeup can't do!

Abby Brewster: 60s, a sweet woman who poisons elderly men.

Martha Brewster: 60s, a sweet woman who poisons elderly men.

Mortimer Brewster: 20s-30s, a charming and cheeky drama critic, nephew of Abby and Martha.

Jonathan Brewster: 30s-40s, a psychopathic killer, nephew of Abby and Martha, who has had plastic surgery and now looks like Boris Karloff.

Dr. Einstein: Any age, a plastic surgeon and alcoholic, accomplice to Jonathan Brewster.

Teddy Brewster: 30s-40s, a harmlessly insane nephew of Abby and Martha who believes he is Theodore Roosevelt.

The Rev. Dr. Harper: 40s up, conservative local Minister.

Officer Brophy: Any age, male or female, a police officer.

Officer Klein: Any age, male or female, a police officer.

Officer O'Hara: Any age, male or female, a would-be playwright who pesters Mortimer to read his play.

Lieutenant Roony: Any age, male or female, a tough and dominating police officer.

Mr. Witherspoon: Any age, the superintendent of Happy Dale Sanitarium where Teddy Brewster is to be sent.

Mr. Gibbs: 50s up, a lonely man wishing to rent a room from the Brewster sisters.

To book an audition or get involved backstage, please contact Róisín or Sinéad.

Róisín:
0439 043 005
roisin_bevan@hotmail.com

Sinéad:
0430 245 113
sineadniamh@hotmail.com

Note: this is a community theatre production and therefore unpaid.


arsenic_and_old_lace@hotmail.com

Roisin Bevan

0439 043 005 0430 245 113

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We've had a fantastic
Author: Sinéad Bevan
Date: 01/03/2010 - 16:41

We've had a fantastic response thus far in auditionees. I look forward to meeting you all. However, we have not nearly enough women auditioning for the Brewster sisters. Please put the word out to any older actresses you know - two plum roles, not easy to come by!

Sinéad


Maybe you could refer your
Author: Hannah Thomson (not verified)
Date: 01/03/2010 - 17:38

Maybe you could refer your unsuccessful auditionees to productions that are struggling to get cast.


We have had very little
Author: Slothwan
Date: 08/03/2010 - 21:19

We have had very little interest from Older women. There are 2 plum roles there.
If you know of anyone that may be interested or persuaded, please pass on the details


Yes, i just read Sinead's
Author: Slothwan
Date: 08/03/2010 - 21:21

Yes, i just read Sinead's post from earlier. No this isn't a show about stone fruit. Sorry for the lake of creativity;)


I dive in, and swim in your
Author: jeffhansen
Date: 08/03/2010 - 21:35
jeffhansen's picture

I dive in, and swim in your lake of creativity.

**Wonders to self if he could pass for an old woman. I have, from time to time, been told I act like one**

www.meltheco.org.au


no point a'tall
Author: ozzieparker
Date: 09/03/2010 - 00:02

Dang! Here I am, some what the right age, can do the accent, grandpa was a roughrider and I love to poison old men when given the chance!
Totally missed the window of time,Drat!

You never know what's comin' for you.


Auditions haven't happened
Author: Samantha Walton (not verified)
Date: 09/03/2010 - 09:34

Auditions haven't happened yet.


auditions haven't happened yet
Author: Norma
Date: 09/03/2010 - 09:48

The lady just happens to live in the USA

She will be here in April for a bit


Bother!!!!
Author: Penny Searle
Date: 09/03/2010 - 09:56

I would dearly loved to have auditioned. Oh bother!!! I am in the right age group and have plenty of time on my hands and need to "do something" acting wise. But .... I will be away in June. What a lovely opportunity I am missing.

Please accept my sincere best wishes for the production.

I do hope that roles for, shall we say, the more mature lady start to come forward as I am very "lean and hungry".

Cheers for now.

Penny Searle


Auditions still upcoming
Author: Sinéad Bevan
Date: 09/03/2010 - 18:27

Hannah - A good idea but we don't yet have any unsuccessful auditionees, as the auditions have not yet taken place! They are scheduled for the 20th and 21st of March.

ozzieparker - THE AUDITIONS ARE YET TO BE HELD! Please come along.

Penny - We would have loved to have you audition. Thank you for your well wishes and enjoy your holiday!

Jeff - You never know, your days as a drag queen may yet be upcoming.

Sinéad


Bless You!
Author: Penny Searle
Date: 09/03/2010 - 21:03

Thank you, Sinead. Sorry that I cannot see the production. I am sure that it will be a good one.

Bless you.

Cheers for now.

Penny


Good Roles come at the Wrong Times.
Author: JustSuse
Date: 09/03/2010 - 23:55
JustSuse's picture

I too would love to audition, but I'm kind of busy till the end of September. Ah well, them's the breaks!


Honestly not to be a smart azzz, but...
Author: ozzieparker
Date: 11/03/2010 - 03:40

Sinéad,
Have you thought about a re-genderization? One of my shows had a part for an older woman and the director couldn't find a suitable actress so he cast a guy to play the part. It really didn't change it all that much, the play was still very funny, the lady was just a little taller than what I had in mind.

You never know what's comin' for you.


"Re-genderisation"
Author: Sinéad Bevan
Date: 12/03/2010 - 17:26

Thanks lovely ladies - and I'm sorry we'll be missing out on your fine skills!

ozzieparker - We are wide open to anything! Including re-genderisation! Was the male actor cast as a male or a cross-dresser?

Sinéad


 Well Sinead, you may not
Author: Tim Prosser
Date: 12/03/2010 - 19:21
Tim Prosser's picture

 Well Sinead, you may not be aware of this, but there were certainly no policeWOMEN in 1941 New York...so that's two fewer ladies you need to consider for those roles. Perhaps (unless a couple of appropriately aged ladies do eventually turn up) you could consider two of those you already have attending, who might be up to the task. Clever use of make-up, hair colouring, mannerisms and speech (dare I include acting ability?) could go a long way.

 

Per Ardua Ad Astra


Last chance to book a spot.
Author: Slothwan
Date: 18/03/2010 - 15:11

Last chance to book a spot. Auditions this weekend.


For Marilyn Flynne
Author: Roisin Bevan (not verified)
Date: 19/03/2010 - 19:47

This message is for Marilyn Flynne -
Marilyn if you happen to read this can you ring me again.
I accidently deleted your message half way through you giving me your number!
I dont have any contact details for you or for anyone who could give them to me.
So please give me a call Smiling
Hopefully I'll see you Sat or Sun!!
Roisin xxx


Last chance tomorrow
Author: Slothwan
Date: 20/03/2010 - 18:19

Last chance tomorrow


Yay!
Author: Sinéad Bevan
Date: 20/03/2010 - 22:23

What a great turnout we had today!

Was super-impressed with the quality of acting... In fact it was outstanding.

Sinéad


The Ten Foot Pole
Author: ozzieparker
Date: 31/03/2010 - 02:30

"ozzieparker - We are wide open to anything! Including re-genderisation! Was the male actor cast as a male or a cross-dresser?"
I'm not sure if you meant did the part it's self undergo re-genderisation. It didn't. He was cast as a lady named 'Mrs. Jigganouski' and to keep things even- 'Mr. Jigganouski' was played by a very androgynous woman. It honestly wasn't nearly as confusing on stage as it seems when I reread what I just wrote.
Later we did a television show based on the play. I knew so much more about both of them after the re-genderisation! In the TV show you find out they met at the Olympics, she was a shot putter and he was a famous pole-vaulter, nicknamed 'the ten foot pole'.
Cheers!

You never know what's comin' for you.


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