Are You Being Served?

Wingz Productions will be holding a script read thru on Monday 14th December 2009 & auditions on Wednesday 16th December 2009 for their latest production “Are You Being Served?”, the stage play of the 1970’s – 1980’s BBC sitcom, written by Jeremy Lloyd & David Croft. Both the script read thru and auditions are being held at the Reeve Memorial Hall (Campbelltown Uniting Church), Allman Street Campbelltown and will commence at 7:45pm. All roles are available and no pre-casting will be done, audition pieces will be given out at the script read thru. This production is being staged at the Town Hall Theatre, Campbelltown in March 2010 and rehearsals will commence in January 2010. This production is being directed by David W. Owens & produced by Sandi Owens. For more information email: info@wingzproductions.com.au or call (02) 4627-1550 (24 hour answering machine). Character Descriptions Please Note: Ages indicated are the age of the character not the actor. Mr. Claybourne Wilberforce Humphries (Male aged 25+) The senior menswear assistant of the Grace Brothers department store. His sexuality is often under a cloud but we never really find out the truth. Mr. Humphries is very “camp” and is well spoken. During Act One, he forms a very unique bond with a pair of chattering teeth. During their Spanish trip, first Mr. Humphries finds himself being pursued by Conchita, due to his “friendly nature” she wants to return to England with him because she “can trust him”. Later on Mr. Humphries finds himself in clutches of Cesar the Revolutionary and ends up dressed as a nun to avoid his grasp. Mrs. Betty Slocombe (Female aged 40+) In charge of Ladies' Intimate Apparel, Mrs. Slocombe is as famous for her multi-colour hair as she is for her “pussy” Tiddles (who makes a guest appearance in Act 1). Mrs. Slocombe tries to put on a “posh” accent but being from Blackpool, her “Northern” origins betray her, whenever she becomes annoyed or aspirated. During Act One, Mrs. Slocombe becomes slowly drunk and during their trip abroad to Spain, her Union Jack bloomers make their way into the possession of Cesar the Revolutionary but the question is how? Captain Stephen Peacock (Male aged 40+) He’s the floor walker who keeps a watchful eye on the sales staff. He’s a military type, who considers himself superior to all the other Grace Brothers employees, even the manager of the floor, Mr. Rumbold. During the trip toSpain, Captain Peacock takes a shine to Miss Brahms much to her displeasure. Miss Shirley Brahms (Female aged 18+) She’s the busty assistant to Mrs. Slocombe in the ladieswear department, she speaks with a “Cockney” accent but occasionally tries to talk “posh”. During Act 1 there are unwanted advances from Mr. Lucas and while in Spain from Captain Peacock, in which she avoids and seeks the protection of Mr. Humphries. Mr. James "Dick" Lucas (Male aged 18+) Mr. Lucas the “Jack the lad” junior menswear assistant, who was nearly always late for work but always had a creative excuse. His attentions are quite often turned towards Miss Brahms but more often these are ignored. During the holiday in Spain, he forms a unique relationship with the local wildlife. Mr. Ernest Grainger (Male aged 60+) The head of the menswear department, he had been with Grace Brothers for over four decades. He resents being forced to share the floor with the Ladies Department and has a dislike for Mrs. Slocombe. Poor Mr. Grainger has a very weak bladder and finds himself frequently running off to the bathroom. During the trip to Spain Mr. Grainger bladder is just as unreliable and is not impressed with the bathroom facilities, which is an outhouse that shakes whenever the toilet is flushed. Mr. Cuthbert Rumbold (Male aged 35+) He’s the Manager of the floor, he’s known for his bald head & jug ears. His appearance is often the subject of many jokes. Mr. Rumbold is often frustrated by Captain Peacock’s superior “attitude”. During the trip to Spain, he often puts Captain Peacock in his place. Don Bernardo (Male aged 21+) Don Bernardo’s the owner of the Don Bernardo Palace Hotel, where the Grace Brothers staff stay while in Spain. This is a One Star Hotel, it’s very understaffed and very overbooked. So the Grace Brothers staff are forced to sleep in tents. Not only does Don Bernardo have to deal with them but also he has to contend with Cesar the Revolutionary. To console himself he pursues Conchita but she has other plans. A “Spanish” type accent is required. This role may be doubled up with Mr. John Mash or Male Customer. Mr. John Mash (Male aged 25+) The maintenance man of Grace Brothers, he speaks with a “Cockney” accent and is very “working class”. He is often at loggerheads with Captain Peacock, as he often appears on the floor during “business hours”, when he shouldn’t. Mr. Mash has no respect for Captain Peacock or any of the sales staff. This role may be doubled up with Cesar Rodriguez or Don Bernardo. Cesar Rodriguez (Male aged 25+) He’s the head revolutionary; Cesar is a very rough and dangerous man. He has decided to make the Palace Hotel the headquarters for his latest uprising, much to Don Bernardo’s horror, as this is the tourist season. Cesar takes an immediate shine to a fake photo of Mrs. Slocombe but unfortunately for Mr. Humphries, Cesar thinks he is Mrs. Slocombe, as Mr. Humphries is dressed in her dressing gown, wig and a false pair of “Boobie Doo’s”, courtesy of a couple of balloons. A “Spanish” type accent is required. This role may be doubled up with Mr. John Mash or Male Customer. Conchita Fernandez (Female aged 18+) Conchita is a member of Don Bernardo’s staff, in fact she is the only member of his staff. She is Spanish and very sexy, who is constantly propositioned by him. With the arrival of Mr. Humphries, she decides to spend the night in his tent but mistakenly ends up in bed with Mr. Lucas. A “Spanish” type accent is required. This role may be doubled up with Female Customer. Male Customer (Male aged 18+) This customer has come in for a pair of gloves, Y-fronts and a pair of trousers. Unfortunately for him all the male members of the staff are not on the floor, so Mrs. Slocombe and Miss Brahms are left to serve this customer. The question is, how on earth are they going to take his inside leg measurement. This role may be doubled up with Mr. Grace, Don Bernardo or Cesar Rodriguez. Female Customer (Female aged 18+) This customer has bought a suit but the skirt is too big, as she has worn the garment, she can’t return it but they will do an alteration. In the absence of Mrs. Slocombe and Miss Brahms, Mr. Humphries comes to the rescue. With tailors chalk in hand, he proceeds to help this customer but what will Mr. Humphries do when he drops the chalk down the customer’s skirt. This role may be double up with Conchita or Taeresa Martinez. Mr. Grace (Male aged 80+) Mr Grace comes onto the floor at the end of Act 1 to let them know that, “You’ve all done very well” and to send them all off on their holiday. This role may be doubled up with Male Customer, Don Bernardo or Cesar Rodriguez. Nurse Betty Nightingale (Female aged 18+) She has arrived on the floor to give the inoculations for the staff’s trip to Spain, she takes great pleasure in her work. Later in Act 1, she returns to look after Mr. Grace. This role may be doubled up with Conchita or Taeresa Martinez. Taeresa Martinez (Female aged 18+) She is one of Cesar’s revolutionist, Taeresa appears at the end of Act 2 to tell Cesar that the revolution is failing. A “Spanish” type accent is required. This role may be doubled up with Female Customer or Nurse Betty Nightingale. Shoppers, Mr. Grace’s Driver & Hotel Guests (Males aged 18+) Cleaners, Shop Assistants, Shoppers, Lift Operators, Sectaries, Hotel Guests (Female aged 18+) These roles are walk on (non speaking) roles, these may be doubled up. Synopsis When the motley crew of the Grace Brothers department store prepare for a sale of German goods and then depart for a staff holiday in Spain, they survive their stay in the tropics at a one star establishment and their encounters with everything from a Spanish crumpet to randy revolutionaries with everything intact but their modesty.