Current Auditions:
- THE EFFECT
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.
THE EFFECT
by Lucy Prebble
Production Dates: 18th-25th January 2025
Two young volunteers are on a clinical drugs trial, being overseen by two doctors. The volunteers begin an illicit romance, which presents the doctors with a dilemma. Are the drugs responsible? Is their love real? What about the doctors, their state of mind and their relationship?
Characters
Lucy Prebble has stated that as the parts were originally written with specific actors in mind, the characters can be changed to fit the actors selected. Connie is a young woman, a psychology student who has not been involved in a medical trial before. In some respects she is an innocent, but she has an inner resolve. Tristan is a little older than Connie. He is a bit of a drifter, perhaps searching for purpose. He has taken part in trials before and is more streetwise. Dr Lorna James is very driven and wants to administer the trial to the highest standard, but when things start to go awry her own demons resurface.
Dr Toby Sealey has recruited Dr James and oversees the trial. He presents a facade of professionalism, but his guilt and personal dilemmas affect his decision making. I am looking for four dynamic, brave and committed actors who are able to bring these fascinating three dimensional characters to life.
The Elffect is about reality, relationships, motivation and mental health. Whilst the play was written pre Covid, it can be viewed through the perspective of the pandemic and the effect on mental health and attitudes to medical intervention. I envisage the staging as being very minimalist and the audience being given the feeling that they are part of the trial.
Intimacy
The Effect has a lot of intimacy, ranging from physical contact eg kissing to grappling to scenes of a sexual nature.
Tristan and Connie are involved in all of the above and each moment will be carefully and sensitively choreographed.
All intimacy will adhere to The Crescent Theatre Intimacy guidelines.
The actors need to be fully informed of everything involved before they accept the part and at each stage, we have to make sure that everyone is comfortable with what is about to happen.
Auditions
Auditions will take place on:
- Sunday 13th October 2024 2pm-6pm Cumberland Room
- Tuesday 15th October 2024 7pm-10pm Cumberland Room
Potential callbacks: Friday 18th October 7pm-10pm
The Audition Extracts are below. I will be pairing candidates up (Connie and Tristan, the two Doctors) and mixing and matching different combinations exploring which pairs work best together. Each actor will have time to prepare and rehearse. I envisage a long afternoon/evening where I will be trying out various pairs. Please be patient!
Rehearsals
First rehearsal Sunday 10th November 2024 10am. We will be following a Sunday morning, Tuesday evening and Thursday evening rehearsal pattern
Sunday 10am-2pm; Tuesday and Thursday 7pm-10pm.
Because it is a small cast, good availability is vital.
Alex Arksen
Director