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Auditioning for the Sewell Barn


Audition notice: Woman in Mind (December Bee) by Alan Ayckbourn

Director: Peter Wood

Contact details: peterdwood@hotmail.com

 Performance dates: 20-22; 26- 29 January (matinee January 29) 2022


THE PLAY

Premiered in Scarborough in 1985 and drawing upon autobiographical experiences, Ayckbourn’s work centres on Susan, a middle-aged wife and mother who has devoted much time and emotional energy to her marriage and family. Her efforts, however, have failed to bring her happiness and satisfaction; in fact, she has been left feeling undervalued and unappreciated by her family members who treat her with both condescension and some disdain. She is, in effect, trapped in relationships that, in the end, will overwhelm and destroy her. In order to cope with her increasingly desperate situation, Susan has created in her mind a fantasy family that dresses in white, quaffs champagne at every opportunity, lives in a stately home and who adores and respects her. As her level of disillusionment increases, Susan turns more and more to her family of the imagination but, crucially, is less able to control the characters she has created for herself. It is the blurring of the worlds of fantasy and reality that will ultimately have dire consequences for her. From the outset of the play, when Susan comes to after being knocked unconscious by accidentally standing on a garden rake, all the things that happen are seen and heard from her perspective: the audience are compelled to look at the world through the eyes of a woman whose mental health is failing.

CASTING: 3F/5M

Susan (mid-40s to mid-50s): Described by Ayckbourn as an “unassuming woman, used to and happy to play second fiddle to more determinedly motivated personalities than her own.” However, Susan has now reached a point in her life where she has started to question the role she has played and, as the narrative progresses, becomes increasingly conscious of her own growing discontent while recognising that her marriage is well and truly on the slide.  A hugely challenging and demanding role but also, hopefully, an immensely rewarding one too!

Muriel (mid-40s to early 50s): Susan’s sister-in-law who, since her husband died, has moved into Susan and Gerald’s home “forever”, much to Susan’s disquiet. She is an interfering busybody who always manages to find ways to shift blame. She seems intent on  usurping Susan’s role as homemaker, despite the fact she is clearly incompetent when it comes to running a household. Reproachful, malicious and constantly critical of Susan, she has recently been attempting to make contact with her dead husband.

Lucy (early 20s): an easy-going, amiable and charming young woman. A member of Susan’s imaginary family. Dotes on her “mother”.

Gerald (late 40s to mid 50s): A cleric who seems oblivious to Susan’s crisis and unaware that his indifference has taken the place of caring in their marriage. He retreats from spending time with his wife to spending time researching his book on the history of his parish since 1386.  A cold fish: distant, lacking empathy and understanding.

Rick (mid-20s): Susan’s estranged son who left home to join a commune in Hemel Hempstead. When it comes to his mother’s plight, Rick, like his father, is lacking in understanding and empathy. His social skills leave something to be desired. On a first visit home in more than two years, Rick will deal his mother a body blow with some unwelcome news.

Bill (mid-40s to early 50s): An amiable if somewhat nervous GP. He is keen to reassure but also quick to apologise for his own failings. He is well-intentioned but somewhat ineffectual. “Not an instinctive healer of the sick”, according to the playwright.

Andy (45 -50): Susan’s imaginary husband and the antithesis of Gerald. Tall and handsome, affable and charming, Andy cuts a dashing figure.

Tony (early 30s): Susan’s imaginary brother: good-looking, genial, charming, carefree, confident and noticeably protective of his “big sister”.


Auditions: Sunday 3 October @ 7.00 pm in the Barn

Audition pieces will be provided on the night. There is no need to prepare anything in advance though it would be beneficial for those auditioning to be acquainted with the play. If you are interested but unable to attend the audition, please contact the director.

Rehearsals

These will commence w/b 22 November and will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. There will also be a few Sunday afternoon rehearsals.

SCRIPT:

Samuel French ISBN 9780573016622