PITLOCHRY FESTIVAL THEATRE
2018SUMMER SEASON
PFT is pleased to announce the details of its 68threpertoire season.Please find below all the information necessary to make a submission for the 2018 ensemble.
SEASON SCHEDULE:
PFT`s production system is unique: since 1951, between May and October of each year, an ensemble companyhave performed 6 productions in daily repertoire.Shows 1 to 4 rehearse side-by-side betweenMarch and May, before opening in4successive production weeks. These thenplay in daily repertoire whilstShow5is rehearsed. Once this has opened inJuly and joined the repertoire, Show 6 begins rehearsals. This opens at the end of August and all 6 productions then play in repertoire until the Season closes in October.
All rehearsals and performances take place in Pitlochry.Given the intensive nature of this system,all ensemble membersmust be available throughout the contracted period (26 March to 13 October 2018).
Rehearsals commence:26March 2018
Show 1 opens:25 May
Show2 opens:31May
Show3 opens: 7 June
Show4 opens:14 June
Show5 opens:19 July
Show 6 opens23Aug
Season closes:13 October
SEASON PROGRAMME:
Show 1:CHICAGOShow 2:THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICEby Kander, Ebb & Fosse by Jim Cartwright
Director:John DurninDirector: Gemma Fairlie
Designer:Charles Cusick-SmithDesigner: Becky Minto
Cast: 8W/8MCast: 3W/3M
The original vaudeville version of theCartwright`s 1990s clubland comedy, an
murderous Jazz Age musical satire enchanting, magical and moving Cinderella story
Show 3:QUALITY STREETShow4: TRAVESTIES
byJ. M. Barrie byTom Stoppard
Director: Richard BaronDirector: John Durnin
Designer: Adrian ReesDesigner: Adrian Rees
Cast: 9W/6MCast: 3W/5M
Barrie`sbittersweet “passage of time”Stoppard`s dazzling comedy of misremembrance
romance set during the Napoleonic warsblends art, politics and pastiche in WW1 Zurich
Show 5:BEFORE THE PARTYShow 6: THE LAST WITCH
by Rodney Acklandby Rona Munro
Director: Gemma FairlieDirector: Richard Baron
Designer: TBCDesigner: Ken Harrison
Cast: 5W/3MCast: 3W/4M
Scandal threatensa society family in thisAn accusation of witchcraft has fatal, far-reaching
acidcomedy about ration-book Britainconsequences in 18th century rural Scotland
ENSEMBLE REQUIREMENTS:
N. B. Please read this section carefully before making a submission, to ensure that all submissions are appropriate to the line of parts/shows/requisite skillsinvolved.
1. For 2018, werequire 17ensemble members (9W/8M), each of whom will appear in a maximum of4 productions. To tackle the diverse range of styles and genres the season contains, flexibility, versatility, adaptability and a broad skills setare required. The ability to play an extended age range convincingly –both up and down -will also be required.
2. Command ofa wide range of dialect/accent skills will be required, including RP, heightened RP,Scots (Highland and standard), London/estuary,Manchester/Lancashire,standard American andNew York/New England.
3. Good to very good movement skills and sung voices to a high standard are essentialfor most roles inCHICAGO; in particular, those roles marked † require jazz dance skills to a very high standard. However, roles marked* need not be as highly skilled in either movement or sung voice.
4.All the cast of THE RISE AND FALL OFLITTLE VOICE willrequire Manchester/Lancashire accent and dialect skills to a high standard.
5. The role of Little Voice (LV) willrequire a contralto/mezzo (with high belt) with exceptional vocal mimicry skills, who can replicate to an exceptionally high standard the sung voices of Judy Garland, Piaf, Marilyn Monroe, Shirley Bassey, Billie Holiday, Cilla Black and Gracie Fields, amongst others.
6.All the castofTHE LAST WITCHwill requirestandard and Highland Scots accent and dialect skills to native speaker standard.
7.The production of THELAST WITCHwill be a co-production with Firebrand Theatre Company and a Scottish tour of the production is planned immediately after the run at PFT concludes. The length of the tour has yet to be determined, but those being submitted for any of the casting lines that include the seven roles in THE LAST WITCH will need to have continuing availability for a period of between four and six weeks after the PFT Season closes.
8.It would be desirable for some of the cast of TRAVESTIES to have a selection of piano and/or portable instrumental skills (e.g. guitar/mandolin, accordion, violin, etc.). Instrumental skills onwind or brass instruments are not required.
9. PFTis an open and inclusive organisation that actively welcomes submissions from performers of all ethnicities and characteristics who meet the ensemble requirements.
CASTING BREAKDOWN:
Although the through-casting lines belowhave been carefully constructed, they are not set in stone. With most of the casting lines, a degree of flexibility exists as to which role can be assigned to which performer, so combinations of roles may change as casting progresses.
Women`s Casting Lines
Woman 1:Playing age: Early to mid-20s
Liz d/w othersin CHICAGO(mezzo with belt, A3 - C♯5)†
Phoebe Throsselin QUALITY STREET
Susan Skinnerin BEFORE THE PARTY
Helen Horne in LAST WITCH
Woman 2:Playing age: Early to mid-20s
Annie d/w othersin CHICAGO (mezzo with belt, A3 - C♯5)†
Little Voicein LITTLE VOICE (N. B. please readEnsemble Requirement 6)
Fanny Willoughbyin QUALITY STREET
Woman 3:Playing age: Mid- to late 20s
June d/w othersinCHICAGO (mezzo with belt, A3 - C♯5) †
Henrietta Turnbullin QUALITY STREET
Laura Skinnerin BEFORE THE PARTY
Woman 4:Playing age: Mid- to late 20s
Roxie Hart in CHICAGO (mezzo with belt, B4 - F3) †
Charlotte Parrattin QUALITY STREET
Kathleen Skinnerin BEFORE THE PARTY
Woman 5:Playing age: Late 20s to early 30s
Mona d/w othersinCHICAGO (mezzo with belt, A3 - C♯5) †
Harrietin QUALITY STREET
Gwendolen in TRAVESTIES
Woman 6:Playing age: Late 20s to mid-30s
Velma KellyinCHICAGO (contralto with belt, E3 - D5) †
Pattyin QUALITY STREET
Cecily in TRAVESTIES
Elspeth Begg in LAST WITCH
Woman 7:Playing age: Mid-30s to mid-40s
Hunyak d/w othersin CHICAGO (mezzo or soprano*)†
Susan Throsselin QUALITY STREET
Nadyain in TRAVESTIES
Woman 8:Playing age: Mid- to late 40s
Mari Hoff in LITTLE VOICE
Isabellain QUALITY STREET
Blanche Skinnerin BEFORE THE PARTY
Janet Hornein THE LAST WITCH
Woman 9:Playing age: 50s
Mama Morton in CHICAGO (Contralto with belt, F♯3 – Bb4)
Sadie in LITTLE VOICE
Mary Willoughbyin QUALITY STREET
Nanny in BEFORE THE PARTY
Men`s Casting Lines
Man 1: Playing age:Early to mid-20s
Aaron d/w othersin CHICAGO (baritone or tenor*)
Billyin LITTLE VOICE
David Marshallin BEFORE THE PARTY
Man 2: Playing age: Mid- to late 20s
Martin Harrison d/w othersin CHICAGO (baritone or tenor*)
Ensign Blades d/w othersin QUALITY STREET
Nick in LAST WITCH
Man 3: Playing age: Late 20s to mid-30s
Billy Flynnin CHICAGO (Baritone with belt, G4 to Bb 2)†
Gallant d/w othersin QUALITY STREET
Tristan Tzarain TRAVESTIES(requires cod French and Romanian accents!)
Man 4: Playing age: 30s
Amos Hart in CHICAGO (baritone, C3 - F♯4)
Valentine Brownin QUALITY STREET
James Joycein TRAVESTIES (requires Dublin accent to a high standard)
Man 5: Playing age: 30-40s
Mary Sunshinein CHICAGO (legit high tenor/countertenor, Bb3 - Bb5)
Lieutenant SpicerinQUALITY STREET
LenininTRAVESTIES
Captain Rossin LAST WITCH
Man 6: Playing age: Early 40s to early 50s
Fred Casely d/w othersin CHICAGO (baritone or tenor*)
Mr. Boo d/w Phone Manin LITTLE VOICE
Henry Carrin TRAVESTIES
Philip Skinnerin BEFORE THE PARTY
Man 7: Playing age: Mid 40s to mid-50s
Harry d/w others inCHICAGO (baritone or tenor*)
Ray Sayin LITTLE VOICE
Recruiting Sergeant d/w othersin QUALITY STREET
Douglas Beggin LAST WITCH
Man 8: Playing age: 50s
Judge d/w others inCHICAGO (baritone*)
Old Soldier d/w othersin QUALITY STREET
Bennettin TRAVESTIES
Niall in LAST WITCH
SUBMISSIONS:
Submissions should be made by postto: 2018 Casting, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Port-na-Craig, Pitlochry, Perthshire,PH16 5DR
The closing date for submissions isFriday 10thNovember 2017. Submissions received after this date will NOT be considered.
The submission should include:
- a covering note/letter, clearly indicating the specific line of parts for which a particular performer is being suggested (e.g.Actor 10, Actress 3)
- a full, current CV
- a current b&w photograph (minimum size 5”x4”)
- an SAE if you would like CVs and photos returned once casting is complete
Please note: submissions for just one part in one show will not be considered – submissions MUST be for a specific line of parts, as indicated in this breakdown
AUDITIONS:
First round auditions in London will be heldduring December 2017 and in Edinburghin January 2018. Recalls will be held in late January/early February and casting will be completed by the middle of February 2018.
Anyone called for audition will be asked to either read from a script, or bring a short piece of their own choosing, or both (usually, a week`s notice will be given). Performers auditioning for roles requiring specific skills (e.g. vocal/instrumental skills) will be asked to demonstrate these at audition.
PFT usually receives between four and five thousand submissions foreach of its repertoire seasons. Given this level of interest, it is not possible for us to meet everyone who makes a submission.Ifyou hear nothing from us by the time that auditions commence, it means thatwe have been unable to offer you/your client an audition on this occasion.
If you have enclosed an SAE with your submission, CVs and photos will be returned once the casting process is complete.Due to space limitations and thenature of our casting cycle, we do not keep CVs and photos on file. If you make a submission without enclosing an SAE andyou/your client are not offered an audition, letters, CVs and photos will be duly recycled.
We hope that this provides you with all the information that you need and we look forward to hearing from you. Good luck!
John Durnin
Artistic Director
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