Auditions for A Bunch of Amateurs

Wednesday 30th August & Friday 1st September

Audition Info

Wednesday 30th August and Friday 1st September
8pm, The Green Room at the Hall
(please enter via the side gate and head for the Green Room out the back)

Our auditions are an informal affair, you'll be asked to read for any of the roles you are interested in with the rest of the group playing the other roles. You are welcome to audition for as many roles as you would like to be considered for.

As always, if you are unable to attend the auditions but would like to be considered for a role please get in touch! Contact our Play Reading Sec Linda on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You don't need to attend both auditions, but you're welcome to come along for both. As we always like to turn any audition into an excuse for a social and will be heading to the pub afterwards.

Rehearsals will start in early September and will most likely be on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8pm - though this sometimes changes due to cast availability.

The Play

We will be performing A Bunch of Amateurs - a comedy - by Nick Newman & Ian Hislop.

Synopsis

Keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford – only to find that this is not the birthplace of the Bard, but a sleepy Suffolk village. And instead of Kenneth Branagh and Dame Judi Dench, the cast are a bunch of amateurs trying to save their theatre from developers. Jefferson’s monstrous ego, vanity and insecurity are tested to the limit by the enthusiastic am-dram thespians. As acting worlds collide and Jefferson’s career implodes, he discovers some truths about himself – along with his inner Lear!

Character details

There are 7 characters; 3 male and 4 female, though as ever, please treat the ages and sexes of each character as a guide only, we are always open to poetic licence!

• Jefferson Steele - A fading Hollywood star who is arrogant, insecure, brash, gauche, demanding, vulnerable and ultimately aware of his own absurdity
• Dorothy Nettle - Director of the Stratford Players and the moving force behind keeping the theatre alive. Her sweet and accommodating manner conceals her inner steel
• Jessica Steele - Jefferson's teenage daughter, who has been neglected by her Hollywood star father and now wants to make him pay for it
• Nigel Dewbury - Solicitor and leading light of the Stratford Players. Pompous, stuck-up and self-regarding, he believes he is the star of the show, and should play all the leading roles. He also fancies his romantic chances with Dorothy
• Mary Plunkett - Owner of the Rectory bed and breakfast. Jolly, generous and an unashamedly adoring Jefferson Steele fan - although somewhat confused about which roles he played in his films, and how keen he is on her
• Denis Dobbins - Handyman and village Mr. Fixit. Avuncular though slightly dull, Denis is starstruck by Jefferson and fancies heading up his entourage of one
• Lauren Bell - Thirty-something marketing executive, former physiotherapist and the sponsor's wife. Passionate about the arts and smarter than her husband allows her to be, she's treated as a bimbo because of her looks

The performances and other important dates

You'll need to be able to make all of the dates below to be able to audition:

Saturday 18th November - Rehearsal TBC
Sunday 19th November - Set build - all day
Sunday 26th November - Tech & Dress - 4pm onwards
Tuesday 28th November - Dress rehearsal - 7pm
39th, 30th November & 1st and 2nd December - Performances - 7pm
Sunday 3rd December - Set strike - 10am

If you have any questions about auditioning please contact Linda on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or if you'd like to find out more about joining ATG please contact our members officer Nicola at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

We look forward to seeing you at auditions.

Article posted 27th August 2023.