CHARACTER SYNOPSIS:

Chris Bean/Inspector Carter: (Male Presenting) The head of the theater company. Director of the play-within a-play Murder at Haversham Manor and plays the esteemed Inspector Carter. Rigid, uptight, everything really matters.  His pain is evident and every time someone laughs the pain deepens. He has equal amounts of contempt for his fellow actors and the audience watching the play. (Received Pronunciation Accent - think Sir Ben Kingsley, Dame Judi Dench, or Colin Firth)

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Jonathan Harris/Charles Haversham: (Male Presenting) ⎼ A member of the company. He plays Charles Haversham, the deceased. A bit bland, but sees himself as a James Bond type. Excited and having fun, but not naïve. He technically has to drive the show. He cares about the play, but not to the same extent as the others. Very physical role. (Received Pronunciation Accent - think Sir Ben Kingsley, Dame Judi Dench, or Colin Firth)

 

Robert Grove/Thomas Colleymoore: (Male Presenting) ⎼ A member of the company, plays Thomas Colleymoore, Charles’ old school friend. Wants to be Richard Burton, as evidenced by his declamatory style. He is, however, not a parody of a bad actor. He is unaware of others around him. He does not feel badly when things go wrong and never learns from his mistakes. There is a power struggle between Robert and Chris to be president of the Cornley Poly Drama Society (a position that matters a great deal to Robert). Has real vocal power. (Received Pronunciation Accent - think Sir Ben Kingsley, Dame Judi Dench, or Colin Firth)

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Max Bennett/Cecil Haversham/Arthur the Gardener: (Male Presenting) ⎼ A brand new member of the company and has never been on stage before. He learned his lines and does exactly what he’s told to do. He has zero connection with any of the other actors, but when he gets a laugh he breaks the 4th wall to engage with the audience. Childlike and naïve. His mistakes are fundamental. He doesn’t think anything through, just looks for approval. (Received Pronunciation Accent - think Sir Ben Kingsley, Dame Judi Dench, or Colin Firth)

 

Sandra Wilkinson/Florence Colleymoore: (Female Presenting) ⎼ A member of the company, plays Florence Colleymoore, Charles’ fiancée and Thomas’ sister. She is vain and possesses a huge ego. Wants to be loved. Has ambitions to go to Hollywood and will hurt anyone standing in the way of what she wants but is smart enough to stay on the good side of someone who can help her (like the director). You know the type. The stakes are high for her. Very physical role. Please Note: This role will appear in less than full costume with some sort of underwear revealed. Also, actor needs to be comfortable being in an enclosed box for up to 5 minutes. (Received Pronunciation Accent - think Sir Ben Kingsley, Dame Judi Dench, or Colin Firth)

 

Dennis Tyde/Perkins: (Male Presenting) ⎼ A member of the company, plays Perkins, Charles’ butler. He has no real desire to be involved in the theatre, he just wants to make friends (of which he has none). He believes if he does well in the show, he will be more successful socially. Laughter from the audience is agony for him. He may be slightly oblivious but understands when he gets things wrong. The laughter is a personal tragedy/failure. (Received Pronunciation Accent - think Sir Ben Kingsley, Dame Judi Dench, or Colin Firth)

 

Annie Twilloil/Stage Manager: (Female Presenting) ⎼ She is the company’s stage manager. She has the biggest journey of any character. She is secretly the best actor in the entire company. She’s initially annoyed but fully onboard to save her show when the lead is indisposed. As she is onstage, her amazing talent begins to be showcased, where she is willing to fight for her chance, finally by the end of the play. (Natural Speaking Voice)

 

Trevor Watson/Lighting & Sound Operator: (Male or Female Presenting) ⎼The company lighting and sound operator. They simply want to get on with the show. Curmudgeonly and doesn’t care for actors. They are easily distracted and do many things they shouldn’t, including engaging with the audience. When things go really sideways, they also are forced to act in the play. They hate acting. (Natural Speaking Voice)

 

Stage Crew/Swing [Up to 4 Roles]: (Anyone) ⎼ They are the backbone of this very important show to Christopher Bean, the director, as well as to the whole production team. They believe in Annie, their Stage Manager, and will do anything for her. They will jump in should Trevor/T demand action, but would rather listen to Annie’s directives. They will be part of the pre-show, intermission and throughout the acts coming to fix problems, recover items, save face, and hopefully save the show. They will have improv opportunities on and off stage, as well as interactions with the audience. They will also act as Swings should any actor be unable to perform and go on with a script in hand. (If you are only auditioning for Stage Crew, please read from Trevor or Annie sides)