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Audition NoticeBrief Encounter
by Noel Coward
adapted by Emma Rice
Directed by David Villiers
Sunday 11th August 2024, 4pm
Production Dates:
19th - 26th October 2024
(with matinees on 20th and 26th October)
Rehearsals
TBC (likely to be Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays)
For more information and audition pieces, please contact David on [email protected]
About the Play
Your heart dances. The world seems strange and new. You want to laugh and skip and fall forever… You are in love. You are in love with the wrong person. Laura, the respectable suburban wife, and Alec, the idealistic, married doctor, meet in a station buffet and fall passionately in love, but are doomed never to find fulfilment.
3 words for this production: Music, Theatricality & Romance.
With this version, I want to have fun in the versatility and joy that the adaptation offers, with cast members playing instruments (even if it’s a kazoo or comb and paper) and singing, and welcoming the audience on arrival. It will have minimal set so as to be fluid and pacey, with props and trunks serving to replace any flats or scenic pieces.
At its core though is one of the most beautiful love stories ever written I believe and that will be vital in giving this production its heart. Alex and Laura must be believable and heartbreaking, with a host of wonderfully drawn characters around them, with each member of the cast doubling up. Strong performances are required in all roles, no matter how small, especially looking for actors comfortable interacting with the audience as this will be the case pre show.
ALL AUDITIONEES PLEASE PREPARE A SHORT SONG (VERSE & CHORUS) FROM A NOEL COWARD, IVOR NOVELLO OR SIMILAR SONG.
David Lean’s iconic 1945 movie, Brief Encounter, was written by Noël Coward and was based on one of his one-act plays, Still Life, written a decade earlier. Emma Rice, Artistic Director of Kneehigh Theatre Company, has adapted this timeless tale of joy and heartache for the stage, interspersing the romantic action with nine Coward ditties.
BLT actively encourages auditionees from ethnic minority communities and any of the below parts could be played by any race.
You do not have to be a member of the company to audition, but if you are cast you must join.
Characters
Laura Jesson - The beating heart of the story. Married Laura begins a doomed love affair with also married Dr Alec Harvey, and is swept away on a sea of emotions. This role requires commanding presence and an ability to captivate the audience as she is almost always on stage. As with most of the parts, a comfortable singing voice is required. Ideally I would LOVE Laura to play the piano, but this is not essential! English accent required. 35-45. Audition pieces: Prologue (with Alec), 23 (with Alec), 27-28 (with Fred)
Dr Alec Harvey - Leading man, Alec Harvey falling in love with Laura is what drives this story. Must have a strong presence and believable chemistry with actress playing Laura. Pleasant singing voice and English accent required. An ability to play an instrument would be a bonus but not essential. 35-50. Audition pieces: Prologue (with Laura), 23 (with Laura)
Beryl Waters (and other parts) - Beryl is the waitress in the station cafe. She has a fun relationship with Myrtle (her boss!) and a sweet romance with station porter Stanley. In contrast to Alec & Laura, theirs is a v simple love. This role requires a versatile actress able to switch characters quickly. Good singing voice required as sings a number of the songs in this version. An ability to play an instrument (even a kazoo!) would be great but not essential. An ability with different accents would be preferred. 20-40. Audition piece: 48-49 (with Stanley)
Myrtle Bagot (and other parts) - Myrtle runs the station cafe. She thinks of herself as above the hoi paloi and this comes across in her manner and affected accent. She has a stand offish relationship with Albert Godby. This is also a nice counterpoint to Alec & Laura. This role requires a versatile actress able to switch characters quickly. Good singing voice required as sings a number of the songs in this version. An ability to play an instrument (even a paper & comb!) would be great but not essential. 35-60. Audition piece: 30-31 (with Albert)
Albert Godby / Fred Jesson - This actor will play the wonderful contrasting characters of Albert Godby – Station Ticket Inspector and general good egg. Can be brusque and cheeky depending on how the mood takes him. He clearly fancies Myrtle, but will get her in the end? & Fred Jesson – Laura’s husband, the faithful yet dull man in chair who takes her for granted. Requires a versatile actor able to play quite different roles. Ability to carry a tune preferred and similar to others, instrument would be great but not essential. 35-60. Audition pieces: 30-31 (with Myrtle), 27-28 (with Laura)
Stanley (and others parts) - Stanley is the cheeky young station porter. He has a sweet romance with Beryl. In contrast to Alec & Laura, theirs is a v simple love. This role requires a versatile actor able to switch characters quickly. Good singing voice required as sings a number of the songs in this version. An ability to play an instrument (even a kazoo!) would be great but not essential. An ability with different accents would be preferred. 20-40. Audition piece: 48-49 (with Beryl)
Male & Female Ensemble - Versatile actors to play a couple of smaller roles within the play. Singing voice and ability or willingness to play an instrument, no matter how simple (anything from piano to ukelele to keeping rythmn on a packing trunk!) desired but can work on this! 35-55. Audition pieces: Male: 33-34 (Johnnie) / Female: 60 (Dolly)
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
9 Clarence Gardens, BN1 2EG Brighton, United Kingdom, 9 Clarence Square, Brighton, BN1 2ED, United Kingdom,Brighton and Hove
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