Current Auditions:
Want to be involved but don’t want to act? There’s always plenty to do backstage – see our membership page for details.
Non-members are welcome but please read the notes on this page.
Membership Commitment – as part of your membership we expect all members to support the theatre by assisting with our Front of House Operations when the theatre is open for performances by either Stewarding, working on the Bar or Coffee Bar. We term this as a “Duty” and members are expected to do eight “Duties” per membership year.
New Members will be asked to do three duties before the run of any production they are cast in. Existing members should ensure that they have fulfilled their quota of duties before auditioning or they may not be considered for a production. All members should do a minimum of three duties within a four month period.
The Crescent Theatre is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities within the theatre, and affiliated projects, through the way we manage the venue and provide services to the community. No person should experience discrimination or lack of opportunities on the grounds of gender, race, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability. In the provision of services and in regards to the membership and visiting companies, the Crescent Theatre is committed to promoting equal opportunities for everyone. Click here for our Statement of Commitment on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. If you need any reasonable adjustments to enable you to access an audition, you can let us know in advance by filling in an online audition form.
Please note the opportunities below are Unpaid
Please note
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. Your membership subscription must be paid by the end of the second rehearsal. Membership fees for a year are £60 (£25 if unwaged). More details on Crescent Membership can be found in the membership pages.
Unless stated otherwise, the venue for all readings and auditions is the Crescent Theatre.
Murder on the Nile
by Agatha Christie
Kay Ridgeway has led a charmed life. Blessed with beauty, enormous wealth, and a new husband, she embarks on a honeymoon voyage down the Nile.
Fatal circumstances await when the idyllic surroundings are shattered by a shocking and brutal murder. Under scrutiny is a multitude of memorable passengers, all with a reason to kill. The tension and claustrophobia builds, as a shocking and audacious conspiracy is laid bare.
It will be a straightforward realistic production of the play.
The play will be set mid 1930s
Production Dates
Get in: Sun, 30th Mar
Pre Tech: Mon, 31st Mar
Tech: Tue, 1st Apr
Dress Rehearsals: Wed, 2nd Apr and Fri, 4th Apr
Performance Dates:
- Sat, 5th Apr 2:30pm
- Sat, 5th Apr 7:30pm
- Sun, 6th Apr 2:30pm
- Tue, 8th Apr 7:30pm
- Wed, 9th Apr 7:30pm
- Fri, 11th Apr 7:30pm
- Sat, 12th Apr 2:30pm
- Sat, 12th Apr 7:30pm
Please note you will be required to attend all tech/perfromance week dates.
Cast Breakdown
Police Official – late 20s to 60 (probably doubled with a beadseller)
The parts of Beadsellers and the Police Official are very small ‘walk-ons’ and may be combined with backstage work. They should be Egyptian/African but the rest of the characters can be of any ethnicity.
A varied group of passengers arrive on the boat for a cruise up the Nile. Tensions arise between some of them, especially between Jacqueline and the Mostyns and Miss ffolit-ffoulkes and just about everyone. Shortly before the interval, the drunk Jacueline de Severac attempts to kill Simon but only manages to shoots him in the leg. Near the beginning of the second half, Louise discovers the body of Kay Mostyn who has been shot in the head while asleep in bed. Cannot Pennyfather takes on the investigation of the crime assisted by Smith.
As usual with Agatha Christie there are revelations about the characters and plot twists before the crime is solved.
Intimacy
Possibly some kissing and physical affection between the actors playing Simon Mostyn and Kay/Jaqueline.
Auditions
Auditions will take place in the Cumberland Room at the theatre. The dates of the auditions are as follows:-
Sunday 19th January 10.30am
Thursday 23rd January 7.30pm
Please sign up for an audition, to let us know which session you will be attending, using this link.
I will be looking for actors who can build a three-dimensional character from the rather limited help given by the script, and would prefer it if people did not prepare audition pieces.
The audition will be reading excerpts from the script but people may be asked to read parts for which they would be inappropriate casting.
Please sign up for the audition via the google form HERE
Rehearsals
The rehearsal pattern will be Monday and Thursday evenings from 7:30pm plus Sunday mornings from 10:30am.
Rehearsals start on Sunday 2nd February.
If you have any questions about the audition process, please email: nile@crescent-theatre.co.uk and we will get back to you.
Many thanks,
Colin Judges
Director
[title of show]
With just three weeks to come up with their entry to a musical festival, Jeff and Hunter decide to write an original musical about… writing an original musical.
They enlist their friends Heidi and Susan on their witty, often turbulent and distinctly meta creative journey. Staged with 4 chairs, a pianist and just 90 minutes long, this is a show with lots of pace, fun, energy and a love of musical theatre.
Production Dates
Tech Week:
3rd-10th May 2025
Performance Dates:
10th – 17th May 2025 in the Ron Barber Studio at The Crescent Theatre
Character Breakdown
All characters are playing versions of themselves.
American accents are required (occasionally slipping into fake British accents).
- Jeff – best friends with Hunter, the show’s composer – Baritone/Tenor
- Hunter – best friends with Jeff, the show’s lyricist – Baritone/Tenor
- Susan – Jeff and Hunter’s friend, ‘downtown, funky and sassy’, has a day job working in an office, witty, – Mezzo Soprano
- Heidi – Jeff and Hunter’s friend, ‘uptown, fancy and Broadway’, used to being the funny one – Mezzo Soprano
This is an ensemble piece and the characters spark off each other throughout.
The ability to hold a harmony line is essential.
We will consider any ages, but ideally an ensemble of similar ages.
Intimacy
The following stage directions appear in one sequence:
HUNTER has his shirt off and is fanning his underarm
HEIDI and JEFF remove their shirts
The women (Heidi and Susan) kiss
The level of intimacy in this sequence will be discussed and agreed between the
cast and director during rehearsals
Auditions
Sunday 26th January, 6.30pm
Tuesday 28 th January 7pm
Thursday 30 th January 7pm. Call back by invitation
During the audition you will be required to sing and read from sections of the
script.
Please prepare to sing a song from any musical. Please choose a song that
showcases your vocal quality and your ability to sing with character. You are
welcome to use music/lyrics. Please bring a backing track or sheet music.
Please familiarise yourself with the scenes below for the reading element of the auditions. You are not required to learn the scenes.
Please sign up for auditions using the google form here
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will start on Sunday 9 th February
The rehearsal pattern will be:
Tuesdays 7pm – 10pm
Thursdays 7pm – 10pm
Sundays 6pm – 10pm
As it is an ensemble piece, it is likely that you will be required to attend most
rehearsals.
If you are unable to make either of the audition dates, or have any other queries
please contact us at the following email address:
titleofshow@crescent-theatre.co.uk
Director
Karen Leadbetter
Musical Director
Gary Spruce