Plans for Swanage Rep Summer and Open Auditions, news: Rod Dungate
Summer Rep Season; Plans are announced
Following their hugely successful 2017 season, Swanage Rep Company are returning to the Mowlem Theatre this summer with a new programme of plays. To celebrate their return, the company will be holding open auditions to find a local young person to play the role of Jim in the season’s family show, The Railway Children.
Hot on the heels of their five-star rep season at the Leatherhead Theatre in Surrey, Hordern Ciani are producing three new shows for Swanage this August. The company’s aims are to bring high quality professional theatre back into the community by restoring the traditional repertory system. Producer Katherine Mount commented “It has been such a pleasure to recreate this institution in these stunning surroundings and amongst such a warm community that appreciates the arts. And this time we want to develop some local talent too”.
On the 8th July from 12 noon, the team will be hosting open auditions at the Mowlem Theatre for local young people interested in gaining experience of working with a professional rep theatre company. The selected youngster will play the role of Jim, who appears at the end of The Railway Children when the character is rescued after falling on to the train track. They will have the opportunity to work alongside the experienced company of actors and crew, and learn all about the different aspects of rehearsing and staging a professional play.
The auditions are open to young males between the ages of 16 and 21, and no theatre experience or training is needed.
Ms Mount added “Repertory theatre was traditionally the training ground for actors, and so far we have had great pleasure reinstating that system and working with some very talented cast members who are fresh to the industry. We would now like to take that yet further and help to develop the skills of someone even earlier in their professional acting journey. With the weekly rep model of just 5 days rehearsal it will be quite an introduction for them!”.
The 2018 Swanage Rep Summer Season kicks off on Tuesday 7th August with Michael Aitken’s stage adaptation of his hit TV sitcom Waiting For God. This is followed by The Railway Children, written by Edith Nesbitt and adapted as a stage musical by Dave Simpson, which opens on Tuesday 14th August. The season concludes with Alan Ayckbourn’s brilliant observational comedy Communicating Doors.
Tickets are now available online via the website www.swanagerep.com or from the box office on 01929 422239. Full details of the open audition can also be found on the website.
Casting will be announced shortly.
Photos: Lottie Johnson as Mary Lennox and Keith Hill as Ben Weatherstaff in Dave Simpson’s The Secret Garden at The Leatherhead Theatre, photographer Mark Turner
Contact details, dates, times and prices are as follows:
Waiting for God
Tuesday 7th August – Friday 10th August – 7.30pm
Saturday 11th August – 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Tickets - Full price £15 Concession £13
The Railway Children
Tuesday 14th August – Friday 17th August – 7.00pm
Saturday 18th August – 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Full price £15 Child £11 Concession £13
Communicating Doors
Tuesday 21st August – Friday 24th August – 7.30pm
Saturday 25th August – 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Full price £15 Concession £13
Swanage Rep
Tel: 01929 422239