The Return
I first became aware of The Return, by Reg Cribb, when my brother was involved in a production of it in June of last year. From memory, it was directed by Karen Francis under the banner of Stray Cats Theatre Company. It played in Mandurah (and elsewhere I think), but I never got to see my brother's portrayal of Steve, as the Murdoch season was cancelled due to lack of bookings.
A shortened version of the play, cut to fit into the 45 minute limit of Dramafest, was also produced very shortly after this by KADS, directed by Danni Ashton. It was this abbreviated version that was my first, and only, viewing.
I have since seen the 2006 movie "Last Train To Freo", which was based on the play. When I was considering what to offer to Melville Theatre to direct for 2010, The Return was one of the scripts I checked out from the Alexander Library. I also read Don's Party, an Agatha Christie (didn't get too far into that) and a Pinter - can't recall the title, but it was odd. I submitted Don's Party, and The Return. Our three person play reading committee chose to ask me to direct The Return as the first season for 2010.
I was a bit surprised. I though Don's Party would get the nod. It's safer. Its an election year. The Return is quite short, has no interval, and has a liberal sprinkling of the F word.
So this Saturday is Audition day. I was actually hoping to got to Elmars in the Swan Valley to see Othello, but that will have to wait. Response to the audition notice has been pretty good. A Facebook mailout also got one or two auditionees.
So, I shall go to the theatre on Saturday afternoon, and see what turns up. Some of the names are familiar to me, some are not. Only one I've done a show with previously. Some I've seen on stage.
Last year I directed Doctor in the House, and was lucky?? enough to secure a cast that fitted the characters. If I do this again, maybe I'll stop considering it luck, and start thinking it's good casting on my part. From the couple of shows I've directed, I can see that casting the right person in the first place is the most important decision a director can make. The rest is fiddling around the edges. Some directors have been around long enough, and produced enough great product that actors want to do their shows.
I have a way to go yet. In fact, none of last year's cast are auditioning this year. 
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