PLAY THAT GOES WRONG
Directed by Christopher Murphy

ABOUT THE PLAY:
The Play That Goes Wrong follows the antics of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, who are trying their very best to stage a production of a 1920s murder mystery. As the show’s title might suggest, this is not as easy as it sounds with everything that can go wrong doing just that. Despite the setbacks, the actors struggle bravely to reach the final curtain.

FPT is looking for truthful, funny, physically adept performers who can commit to the style of the play (BROAD) and fully inhabit the characters. It is vital to believe in the characters who are performing the play within the play. With that in mind, we are looking for actors with a keen ability and understanding of comedy who are also able to play the truth of the scenes. Actors of all ethnicities and genders are strongly encouraged to audition.

AUDITIONS:
OPEN AUDITIONS -Sunday May 22nd @ 5pm
Make-Up Audition/Possible Call-Back: May 23 @ 7PM
Auditions will be held at First Presbyterian Theater, 300 W. Wayne St (use the Gallery/Theater Portico entrance). Auditions will consist of readings from the script. All are encouraged to audition on 5/22 if possible, leaving 5/23 for make-ups and possible call-backs.

REHEARSALS: June 27- August 11, 2022
Rehearsals will begin on or around June 27, depending on cast conflicts. Rehearsals MAY be held M-F (7-10PM) & Sundays (Time TBA). Not all days/times will be used. Rehearsals will be held 4-5 days a week A specific rehearsal schedule will be determined based on cast conflicts.

Note: As it is summer, we realize some may have vacations planned. Everyone is encouraged to list the conflict and audition regardless.

PERFORMANCES: August 11 (Preview), 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21
(Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays @ 7:30PM, Sundays @ 2PM)

Download the sides for the roles you are interested in reading for. Click here to sign up for auditions. Also, please fill out and bring with you a completed Actor Audition Form -_.

CHARACTERS:
CHRIS (plays INSPECTOR CARTER). Male. Age 25+. High status clown. Rigid, uptight, everything really matters; he is the director of the show and this is the biggest day of his life; everything is riding on this; it is a nerve wracking and exciting night; 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 English accent.

ROBERT (plays THOMAS COLLEYMORE). Male. Age 25+. 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); seeking an actor with real vocal power; Received Pronunciation English accent.

MAX (plays CECIL HAVERSHAM/ARTHUR). Male. Age 25+. He 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 and engages with the audience; childlike and naïve; his mistakes are fundamental; he doesn’t think anything through, just looks for approval; Received Pronunciation English accent.

DENNIS (plays PERKINS). Male. Age 25+. 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 English accent.

TREVOR. Male. Age 20+. The play’s lighting and sound operator; he simply wants to get on with the show; curmudgeonly and doesn’t care for actors; he is easily distracted and does many things he shouldn’t, including engaging with the audience; when things go really sideways, he is forced to act in the play; he hates acting; American or Cockney or Northern English accent.

JONATHAN (plays CHARLES HAVERSHAM). Male. Age 25+. A bit bland but sees himself as a James Bond type; excited and having fun, but not naïve; he technically must drive the show; he cares about the play, but not to the same extent as the others; very physical role; Received Pronunciation English accent.

SANDRA (plays FLORENCE COLLEYMORE). Female. Age 20+. She is vain and possess 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; Received Pronunciation English accent.

ANNIE. Female. Age 20+. The stage manager; she has the biggest journey of any of the characters; when Sandra is indisposed Annie, who cannot bear to be on stage, must step in; initially terrified by acting, she is willing to kill for it by the end of the play; her initial terror turns to joy, and then to fury; she starts small, but grows and grows; American or Cockney or Northern English accent.

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