Be Theatre Goers

The Matchbox Theatre will be holding open auditions for their production of The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard. These will take place on Sunday, March 24th in St Francis Church Hall, Ravenswood Avenue, West Wickham @ 7.00. (Please Note: as well as actors we are looking for anyone interested in set construction, sound and lighting)

Taking place in London in the 1980s, The Real Thing focuses on the passionate but never fully satisfying love between Henry (a playwright) and Annie (an actress). When they start an affair Henry is already married to Charlotte and Annie is married to Max. Soon they both divorce their partners and marry each other. Unfortunately, this new relationship still does not ultimately fulfil their needs.

Meanwhile, Annie is devoted to freeing Brodie, a Scottish soldier imprisoned for burning a memorial wreath during a protest. She is the reason he committed the crime in the first place, and subsequently feels responsible for his imprisonment. She encourages Brodie to write an autobiographical play in the hopes that it will cause his story to become a political movement and recruits a reluctant Henry to help ghostwrite.

And through it all, Henry tries to handle the growing cynicism of his teenage daughter, Debbie. He also attempts to understand the reasons that his first marriage fell apart to save his second. The Real Thing explores the themes of marriage, infidelity, and honesty with a fresh and quick-witted comedic style. The play examines both the pain and passion that love can bring into people’s lives.

Characters:

Max: “40-ish” male actor who begins the play married to Annie. Acts in Henry’s new play, House of Cards.  Supporting role

Charlotte: “35-ish” actress who begins the play married to Henry. Appears opposite Max in House of Cards. Supporting role

Henry: “40-ish” playwright who, at the beginning of the play, is married to Charlotte and conducting an affair with Annie. Both believe in love and yet approach it with cynicism. Major role

Annie: “30-ish” actress who begins the play married to Max. She has been conducting an ongoing affair with Henry while also working as an activist for Brodie, a soldier who was arrested and imprisoned for setting fire to a wreath at the Cenotaph. Major role

Billy: “22-ish” young actor who plays Giovanni to Annie’s Annabella in Tis Pity She’s a Whore. Openly shows romantic interest in Annie. Small part

Debbie: “17-year-old daughter of Charlotte and Henry who nevertheless spends very little time with them. Small part

Brodie: “25-year-old soldier imprisoned for setting fire to the wreath at the Cenotaph. Annie takes him up as a cause. Small part

As ever – age requirements are not rigid

Production will be on 6,7,8 June in St Francis Church Hall, West Wickham – rehearsals will begin in early April.

If you are interested please let me know at 07432742209 or timpearce51@googlemail.com

Tim Pearce

Director