“The Season At Sarsaparilla”

AUDITION NOTICE “THE SEASON AT SARSAPARILLA” By Patrick White Directed by Peter Kirkwood PRODUCTION DETAILS : Patrick White was an Australian writer who is regarded as one of the most important English-language novelists of the 20th century. From 1935 until his death in 1990, he published eight plays, three collections of short stories and twelve novels. In 1973, White became the only Australian awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. "The Season at Sarsaparilla" is arguably White's most accessible and important play. Set in the 1960s, it offers a scathing attack on the emptiness of life in the Great Australian Suburb, whilst equally paying homage to those that live there. "The Season at Sarsaparilla", at its simplest, is a portrait of overlapping lives presented as a series of sub-plots. The action follows the workaday lives of three families where the cycle of life is played out repeatedly. Birth, death, love, mateship, betrayal, loss, infidelity, desire and abuse shape the entire action of the play. Audiences will find "The Season at Sarsaparilla" funny, heart-breaking and intelligent. Character actors will find that this play offers many exciting challenges. The season at Harbour Theatre will run from 18 July to 03 August 2013 with rehearsals, three times a week, beginning in May 2013. AUDITION DETAILS : Auditions will be individual and a time should be booked with Peter Kirkwood (Director) on 0435 503 639 or via email on peteratharbourtheatre@gmail.com Audition dates : Tuesday 30th April from 7pm onwards Thursday 2nd May from 7pm onwards Saturday 4th May from 10am onwards Part of the audition process will be to present a dramatic piece (Australian preferred) of approximately 2 minutes in length. You will also be required to read relevant sections from the script. Required are 7 men, 5 women and 2 girls for major speaking roles. Also required are 2 men of any age for cameo roles. Most characters are Australian, of working or middle class origin and should sound it. If necessary this will be discussed with you during your audition. NOTE : Ages are stage ages only and are flexible. The following characters are required : Harry Knott (25+) : Salesman in menswear. Very neat and well dressed. An average Australian. Roy Child (23+) : Primary school teacher. Sensitive, casual and rather brash. Functions something like a Greek Chorus. Clive Pogson (45+) : Thick set. Minor business executive. Has a rather high opinion of himself. Ron Suddards (21+) : A Post Office worker. A decent fellow and very well meaning. Ernie Boyle (45+) : Night soil collector. Good natured, innocent and generous. Rowley Masson (43+) : A mate of Ernie. Seedy, battered, ex-army. An opportunist. Mr Erbage (53+) : The alderman type. Self-satisfied and full of self importance. Mavis Knott (23+) : Very pregnant. Placid and acceptant. An average, decent suburban wife Girlie Pogson (40+) : Not a hair out of place. and never will be. Everything must be 'nice'. A snob who definitely always feels superior to her neighbours. Nola Boyle (40+) : Generous of figure. Tawny of head, A lioness. Sensual. Judy Pogson (about 18) : Pretty. Rather withdrawn and tentative. Julia Sheen (23+) : Slim, long legs. Perfectly groomed. Always looks and acts like a model. Pippy Pogson (12 - 14) : Astute, forthright, determined and inquisitive. Deedree (12 - 13) : Pippy Pogson's friend. Slightly younger than Pippy and looks younger. More innocent, easily put upon and the eternal stooge.