The Crescent Theatre is holding auditions for the following production(s).
Non-members are welcome but please read the note at the bottom of this page.
Juno and the Paycock
Performance dates: 3rd to 10th October in the Studio
Reading Dates
Familiarisation – Sunday 5th July at 2.00pm
Audition - Monday 6th July at 7.30pm
First Rehearsal Sunday 12th July
Below are brief details of the play and a plot summary. I have put a few scripts in the office for you to take and read. Once you have read them can I ask you to bring them back ASAP so that others can have a go?
Juno and the Paycock is a classic play, but is by no means a museum piece. Like all great art (Ibsen, Checkov etc), even though action is set in a different country and in another century, it still has resonances for a modern audience about the human condition, and the way we live life now.
I hope you can make it to the readings
Gerry Lucas – Director
Characters:
A tragic - comedy
'Captain' Jack Boyle
Juno Boyle, his wife
Johnny & Mary Boyle, their children
'Joker' Daly
Mrs. Maisie Madigan
'Needle' Nugent, a tailor
Mrs. Tancred
Jerry Devine
Charles Bentham, a school teacher
An Irregular Mobiliser
Two Irregulars
A Coal-Block Vendor
A Sewing Machine Man
Two Furniture Removal Men
Two Neighbours
Plot Summary
Juno and the Paycock concerns the Boyle family, who live in the Dublin tenements. The father, "Captain" Jack Boyle (so called because of his status as a retired merchant sailor, his propensity for telling colourful stories of the sea, and his incessant wearing of his nautical-looking hat) constantly tries to evade work by pretending to have pains in his legs, and spends all his money at the pub with his ne'er-do-well "butty", Joxer Daly. The mother, Juno, is the only member of the family working, as the daughter Mary is on strike, and the son, Johnny, lost his arm in the Irish War of Independence. Johnny betrayed Tancred, a neighbour and fellow comrade in the IRA, and is afraid that he will be executed as punishment. A distant relative dies, and an English solicitor, Mr Bentham, brings news that the family has come into an inheritance. The family buys goods on credit, and borrows money from neighbours with the intent of paying them back when the fortune arrives. They hold a party during Tancred's funeral procession, halting it only when Tancred's aged mother passes by their door.
In the third act tragedy befalls the Boyle family. Mr Bentham, who had been courting Mary, ceases all contact with the family, and it becomes apparent that no money will be forthcoming. As the goods bought with the borrowed money are being taken back, Mr and Mrs Boyle learn that Mary has been impregnated by Mr Bentham. "Captain" Boyle goes with Joxer to a pub to spend the last of his money and take his mind off of the situation. While he is gone, Mrs Boyle learns that her son, Johnny, has been killed, presumably by the IRA. Mary and Juno leave to live with Juno's sister. Captain Boyle and Joxer return to the stage drunk - unaware of the tragedy.
The Proposal
Audition: Mon 13th July at 7.30pm
This 15 page play describes the odd courtship of Lomov, who seeks a marriage with his neighbour's daughter. They fight before he can make his proposal, fight while he proposes, and fight after she agrees to marry him.
Characters
Stepan Stepanovitch Tschubukov - A wealthy landowner and widower, eager to marry off his daughter. Age 50-70.
Natalia Stepanovna (Stepan's daughter) - rather over-dramatic, and worried about being left on the shelf. Age 25.
Ivan Vassiliyitch Lomov - A neighbour of Tschubukov, and something of a hypochondriac who is looking for someone to take care of him. Age 35.
To commemorate the 85th Anniversary of the formation of The Municipal Players, The Crescent presents The Proposal in a one-off gala performance at The Council House on 3rd September, before the Lord and Lady Mayoress, Councillor Michael Wilkes and Mrs Vivienne Wilkes, with all proceeds being donated to the Lord Mayor’s charities. The production will also be presented at this year's ArtsFest (Sept 12th & 13th) and, in early October, as part of Birmingham's Comedy Festival.
Director: Colin Simmonds
Want to be involved but don't want to act? There's always plenty to do backstage - see our membership page for details.
While auditions are intended for members, non-members are welcome to attend on the understanding that, if successful in reading for a part, you would be expected to become a member of the theatre. This entitles you to take part in all theatre activities and to concessionary ticket prices. In return you will be expected to attend all rehearsals and performances and to undertake your required allocation of front of house duties. You will not be able to commence rehearsals until your membership subscription has been paid. Membership fees for a year are £60 (£30 if unwaged). More details on Crescent Membership can be found in the membership pages.
The Familiarisation Reading is not an audition but an opportunity to find out more about the play, the characters and the director's ideas for the production. If you are unfamiliar with the play, try to come to this to see if you would be interested in reading for a part at the audition.
Unless stated otherwise, the venue for all readings and auditions is The Crescent Theatre.
Directors: If you wish to submit items for inclusion on this page please e-mail them to Please make sure that you have arranged all room bookings before submission and indicate that you are happy to have e-mail addresses and/or telephone numbers included on the web page.