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Auditioning for the Sewell Barn


Audition notice:  THE WELKIN by Lucy Kirkwood

Director: Jez Pike

About: https://www.mandy.com/uk/c/jez-pike  http://uk.linkedin.com/in/jezpike

Contact details: jezpike@yahoo.co.uk

Performance Dates: 13 - 15 & 19 - 22 October (including a matinee on the 22nd) 2022


THE PLAY

1759, the Norfolk/Suffolk border. Sally Poppy, has been convicted of murder. All that can save her from a sentence of hanging followed by anatomisation, is a plea that she is with child. If found to be true, her life will be saved. The magistrate summons a ‘Jury of Matrons’, twelve women, who locked in a room without food or water, must decide whether she is telling the truth. Amongst them is Elizabeth Luke, a midwife who bore Sally into the world, and now must fight to keep her in it.

This is big, bold and passionate play that combines an ability to dive headlong into a strange and at times shocking past, whilst resonating strongly with today. Within its rich tapestry the play also allows room for much warmth, wit and humorous characterisation. Whilst the parts of Sally and Elizabeth undoubtedly drive the narrative, The Welkin is an ensemble play, with lots of stage time for most parts, and diverse and well-defined roles.

The production will emphasise the ‘ticking clock’ aspect, aiming to create a compelling, visceral piece of storytelling, whilst enjoying the warmth and humanity of the characters’ frequent bickering. The director is passionate about this play, and is looking for a cast who are ready to bring commitment, generosity and their own voices to the process of exploring it, truthfully and bravely.


THE AUDITION PACK

An audition pack is available, and can be obtained by emailing the director. This pack details more information about the nature of the casting and audition process, the roles on offer, and the director, than can be included here. This pack should give you all the information you need to make an informed decision about whether you’d like to express any further interest in auditioning.


CASTING BREAKDOWN & APPROACH

Inclusivity and Accessibility: The production actively encourages interest from actors who identify as LGBTQ+, disabled and people of the Global Majority, as well as people new to acting and/or new to acting at Sewell Barn. The production will be taking a positive approach to meeting all accessibility needs. More details on inclusivity and accessibility, and specific guidance on gender within the casting process is available in the audition pack.


ROLES

There are 19 characters in total, the majority of which are female within the world of the play, and will be portrayed by individual actors.

Due to the size of the cast, auditions will initially invite interest from actors in ‘Casting Brackets’. Apart from a few roles, the majority of these ‘casting brackets’ include a number of different characters, all of whom (unless otherwise requested) an actor auditioning for that bracket will initially be considered for. Casting will then become more role-specific as the process advances.

Casting Bracket 1: Female Character. Playing age 30-45. Elizabeth Luke. The midwife. The beating heart of the play and the strongest case for ‘the defence’.

Casting Bracket 2: Female Character. Playing age 18-25. Sally Poppy. The accused. Fiery, forged by an unkind world. Not about to throw herself at anyone’s mercy.

Casting Bracket 3: Female Characters x 5. Playing age 18-35.

Casting Bracket 4: Female Characters x 3. Playing age 35-60.

Casting Bracket 5: Female Characters x 3. Playing age 60+

Casting Bracket 6: Male Characters x 3. Playing age 30-55. Interest is welcome in each individual role, or from actors wishing to multi-role all three. Request Audition Pack for details on the roles.

Casting Bracket 7: Female Character. Playing age 30+. A ‘walk-on’ part. No lines. Likely to be double-upped with another role, but might suit someone looking for a light-touch entry into acting and/or who would like to help out in backstage roles as well.

Casting Bracket 8: Female Characters x 2. To be played by a young actor who is between circa 11 and 15. Emails from any parents/guardians who may have interested children welcomed.

Casting Bracket 9: Male character x 1. Playing age 40+. The Justice. Voiceover role only. The Justice is written to be a disembodied voice. Process will be an audio-recording, worked on with the director on a small bespoke schedule to be agreed with the actor.

 

THE REHEARSAL PROCESS

To more easily fit around busy lives, and allow space for breathing space and line-learning, this production will use a more stretched-out rehearsal process than typical at the Barn, consisting of 3 phases with fortnight gaps in between Phase 1 and 2. Request the audition pack for more details. First rehearsal, Sunday 10th July. Weekend rehearsal will be a regular feature.


AUDITION DATES

Extra audition date added: Saturday 25th June, 2-4pm at the Sewell Barn. 

Actors may be asked to attend a recall audition, at a mutually agreed time during the week of the 27th June.


HOW TO AUDITION

Auditioning is never easy and requires some investment of time, so this process takes a ‘try before you buy’ approach.

Step 1: The slightest vague interest in auditioning. Email the director for The Audition Pack.

Step 2a: You’ve got no questions, know you’re committed and feel confident about what to expect – follow the instructions in The Audition Pack and submit an audition request.

Step 2b: You’ve got questions, you’re not 100% sure this is for you, you need to discuss your availability or you just want to decide what you think of the director before auditioning – follow the instructions in The Audition Pack to arrange an informal zoom chat with the director, with no obligations to then audition.

Step 3: Attending an audition. The first round of auditions will include some imagination and movement-based exercises, plus text work. All text will be provided in advance. Following the first round of auditions you may then be offered a part, or the director may need to look at different casting options, in which case you will be invited to the second round.


SCRIPT

The Welkin by Lucy Kirkwood. Nick Hern. 2020. ISBN: 978-184842-921-5