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Click About The Play to learn more about the play, the playwright and the director.
ROLES
George Bishop / Dad
Ages on stage from 52 to 92 years old
Accent required – New Zealand
Born in 1897, George has worked for the Road Services division of the New Zealand Railways all his adult life. When the play begins, he is manager of the Road Services depot in the town. He is a passionate supporter of the Labour Party.
Lyla Bishop / Mum
Ages on stage from 50 to 73 years old
Accent required – New Zealand
Lyla was born in 1899 and married George in 1920. Her life has been devoted to maintaining a decent home for George and their children, Ted and Rose. Loving, kind, sensitive, but also well-able to let her children know what she really thinks.
Rose Bishop / Daughter
Ages on stage from 28 to 68 years old
Accent required – New Zealand
Born in 1921, Rose is bright if not exactly beautiful as a child and becomes mousier with the passing of the years. She runs the children’s wing of the town library and dreams of marriage and a life of her own. Ambitious yet restricted by culture and societal norms.
Ted Bishop / Son
Ages on stage from 27 to 67 years old
Accent required – New Zealand
Born in 1922, a minor wound while in training for the army sidelined Ted from World War II service and introduced him to Brenda. Ted and Brenda married and have two children, Raewyn and Tom. Since the war Ted has been trying to find a decent job. Ted has big ideas, but not always the goods to back it up.
Brenda Bishop / Daughter-in-Law
Ages on stage from 26 to 66 years old
Accent required – Negotiable
Also born in 1922. Brenda’s father is a dentist and doesn’t approve of her marriage to Ted which makes her all the more determined to make it work. She is usually publicly supportive even if privately doubtful of her husband’s schemes. Over the years she develops grit and determination.
Raewyn Bishop / Granddaughter
Ages on stage from 28 to 45 years old
Accent required – New Zealand
Born in 1943, first child of Ted and Brenda. She is five when the play starts – and while referred to – we don’t see her on stage until age 28. Raewyn is headstrong and opinionated.
Alice Warner / Neighbour
Ages on stage from 52 to 81 years old
Accent required – Negotiable
Born in 1897, similar to Lyla, Alice’s focus is as a homemaker, supporting her husband and two children. Her husband is the town’s leading accountant, and honestly she feels a little sorry for her working-class neighbours. A true blue National Party supporter.
About the Characters
There are seven unique and colourful parts in the play, and while some may have more stage time than others, each character needs a strong committed actor to bring it to life. Like all families, everyone has a significant part to play.
Audition Application
CASTING NOTE
Actors who are short-listed for roles will be invited for callback auditions. Please allow three hours as we’ll be working with actors in various combinations to see the relational dynamics.
AUDITION DETAILS
DATE & TIME
First Audition
Saturday, 24th August 2024
Morning 10:30 - 12:45
Afternoon 1:45 - 4:00pm
Callback Audition
Sunday, 25th August 2024
1:00 - 4:00pm
Location
Dolphin Theatre
Foyer
12 Spring Street
Onehunga
NOTES
All ages are only an approximation.
You will be auditioning with readers and potentially other auditionees on the day.
Dolphin theatre is a community theatre and is run entirely by volunteers.
All acting roles are unpaid.