Auditions

Upcoming Auditions

CASTING POLICY

The Bear Pit Theatre’s casting policy is centred on casting the very best actors for each role. Casting will always be open and neutral. Everyone is warmly welcomed to attend auditions – there is no membership subscription to audition or join our friendly theatre company.

If you have any specific access needs that we need to be aware of in advance of an audition, please do let us know.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Road

by Jim Cartwright

Road is set in a small Lancashire town in the mid 1980s, a time of inequality and desperation. It is widely regarded as one of the most important British plays of the late 20th century.

There are a total of 32 characters, 15 women and 17 men. Usually these are played by 7 – 14 actors.

Playing ages range from 12 to 60+. Under 18s are welcome to audition, but because of safe-guarding rules they must be accompanied by a parent throughout the audition. Bear in mind there is a great deal of swearing, some sexual allusion and references to alcohol use and violence in the script.

The play is episodic and is designed to seem chaotic, reflecting the lives of the characters. The episodic nature will help with early rehearsals, as we can intensively rehearse quite small sections of the play with only a few characters. Rehearsals should begin at the end of June with character work. By the end of August we should be running large sections of the play, by September the whole play and in the last week with as much tech as possible. Naturally, during the summer, people will have holidays – there will be no issue with working around this.

 

There are 5 performances of the play from Tue 24th –  Sat 28th September. There is no matinee. 

Road resists being pigeon-holed, but it could be called the very darkest variety of black comedy.

Director Steve Farr says of the play, “This is probably the most important and challenging play that the Bear Pit has ever produced. Sadly. It is as relevant now as it was 40 years ago. The writing is sublime and lends itself to interpretation, this gives opportunities to present the play in a new and exciting way. Amateur actors only rarely get the opportunity to be involved with a production of a play of this exceptional depth and quality.”

 

Interested in auditioning for Road?

We will be holding a number of open auditions at The Bear Pit Theatre:

  • Friday 5th April – 7:00pm – 9:30pm
  • Saturday 6th April – 10:30am – 1:30pm
  • Sunday 7th April – 1:30pm – 4:30pm

 

You will need to register your details using this form in order to attend this audition.

 

Want to be involved off-stage? 

We are looking for volunteers to support Steve and the company of actors on and off stage. We need people to create and build our set. Perhaps you are a technical wizard or are intrigued to learn more about lighting and film. You may have a keen eye in the world of costumes and props.

If you are able to offer your time and can commit to supporting the show we would love to hear from you.

Sign Up

To register your interest in supporting this production and to be part of the production team, please sign up here. 

 

Railway Children

Mike Kenny’s imaginative stage adaptation of E. Nesbit’s much-loved children’s classic.

Famously filmed, this story of a prosperous Edwardian family – mother and three children – forced into near-penury in the rural north of England captures the anxieties and exhilarations of childhood with great tenderness and insight.

As Mike Kenny says of his remarkably faithful adaptation, ‘You don’t need a real train to perform this play… the most powerful prop is the imagination of the audience, the most effective tool the skill of the actors.’ So this version of The Railway Children, which offers three plum roles for young performers, is eminently suitable for schools, youth theatres and drama groups – anywhere, in fact, where the cry of ‘Daddy! My Daddy!’ is likely to provoke a tear.

Mike Kenny’s version of The Railway Children was first staged at the National Railway Museum in York in 2008, before receiving a major production at Waterloo Station in London in 2010.

And now The Bear Pit, Stratford upon Avon 2024!!! All aboard…

Show Run: Friday 6th Dec until Sunday 15th December

Rehearsals start in September four times a week. You will not always be called to every rehearsal. However, please bear in mind if you are cast in a lead role there is an expectation that you will be available for all rehearsals.

All actors under 18 will need to be signed in and out by a parent or guardian.

Some roles may be doubled up and the main three child roles may be double cast but all of this will depend on who comes through the door to audition

Emily Myerscough (Director)

CHARACTER LIST

Child roles:

  • Bobbie – 14-20’s (flexible)
  • Peter – 11-20’s (flexible)
  • Phyllis – 11-20’s (flexible)

Adult roles:

  • Mother
  • Father
  • Doctor
  • Perks
  • Old Gentleman
  • Mrs Perks
  • Maid
  • Mrs Viney
  • Cook
  • Jim
  • Butler
  • Mr Szezcpansky

Ensemble Roles – Adult and Children

 

Interested in auditioning for The Railway Children?

Auditions will be held as follows

  • Tuesday 9th April – 7:00pm – 9:00pm – The Bear Pit Theatre
  • Saturday 13th April – 5:00pm – 7/7:30pm – The United Reform Church
With Call backs on
  • Saturday 20th April – 5:00pm – 7/7:30pm

There is no need to prepare anything for the audition.

 

You will need to register your details using this form in order to attend this audition.

 

Want to be involved off-stage

We are looking for volunteers to support Emily and the company of actors on and off stage. We need people to create and build our set. Perhaps you are a technical wizard or are intrigued to learn more about lighting and film. You may have a keen eye in the world of costumes and props.

The Bear Pit will also need Chaperones (we will fund for parents to become a licensed chaperone if they are prepared to chaperone for Bear Pit productions).

If you are able to offer your time and can commit to supporting the show we would love to hear from you.

Sign Up

To register your interest in supporting this production and to be part of the production team, please sign up here.