AUDITION NOTICE: Flare Path

WT is committed to being a diverse and open organisation. Auditions are open to anyone, regardless of background or experience, and we particularly welcome those who have been traditionally under-represented in theatre.

Please note that these auditions have now closed.

Synopsis

Our play for next April/May is Terence Rattigan’s Flare Path, which was written in 1941 and is based on his actual experiences as an air gunner with the RAF during the Second World War. The play is set in ‘The Falcon’, a small hotel close to the Lincolnshire RAF base where we are introduced to a number of RAF men and their wives as well as the imperious landlady and her staff.

Into this hotel walks Peter Kyle, a famous British ilm actor, who has come to whisk his lover Patricia Graham away. The only problem is Patricia is married to Flight Lieutenant Teddy Graham. She has been putting off tell- ing her husband of her affair. The elopement is delayed by the announcement of a bombing raid. The airmen take off and all return but one, Count Skriczevinsky, who is presumed lost at sea. All feel the emotional stresses of war, in particular Teddy who fears he may have lost his nerve. Patricia is moved by his need for her and resolves to tell Teddy herself. Peter, however, reading a letter from the Count to his wife, has a change of heart and leaves.

The tension builds as they all wait for news and here Rattigan’s genius for barely expressed emotion is clearly displayed. However, there is a happy ending to this wonderful play by one of our most talented writers. It is a tribute to the collective spirit of bomber crews and their partners and is a deeply moving portrait of people at war.

Parts

The ages are a guide only, so please don’t let that be a problem.

• Doris, Countess Skriczevinsky – Late 20s early 30s. A former barmaid now married to a Polish count. She is practical, humane and self- aware. Needs a slight regional accent.
• Mrs Oakes – 40+. The proprietress of the hotel. Somewhat scary and not afraid to say what she thinks.
• Patricia Graham – Late 20s / early 30s. A stage actress, now married to Teddy she is also in love with Peter Kyle. A multifaceted woman who proves that appearances can be deceptive.
• Mrs Maudie Miller – Late 20s / early 30s. Married to Dusty she is a practical if somewhat anxious woman. Has a slight regional accent.
• Peter Kyle – Late 30s / early 40s. An English actor who has become a Hollywood star. Outwardly handsome and self-confident but out of place amidst all the RAF men who are serving their country. Quite self-centred but deeply in love with Patricia .
• Percy – Early 20s. A waiter barman at the hotel. Fun comedy role.
• Flight Lieutenant Teddy Graham – Late 20s / early 30s. A pilot married to Patricia Graham whom he adores. An apparently light-hearted character who does not take himself too seriously. He is brave and much liked by his colleagues.
• Sergeant Dusty Miller – Late 20s. He is Teddy Graham’s tail gunner, clearly of a different class to Teddy but brave and good at his job. Married to Maudie. (Same slight accent as Maudie his wife.)
• Count Skriczevinsky – Early 30s. Married to Doris whom he loves very much. His English is very limited but he is well liked by his fellow airmen.
• Squadron Leader Swanson – 40s+. In charge of the Squadron with a definite air of authority. He is also practical and humorous and hates the dangers to which he is obliged to subject his men.
• Corporal Wiggy Jones – 20s / 30s. Small walk-on role.

Auditions

The audition dates are Monday 14th and Thursday 17th November and call backs will be on Monday 21st November – all at 7:45pm at WT.

The scripts are also available at the theatre and can be borrowed by first contacting myself or David. The auditions will involve reading extracts from the play relevant to the parts. This is very much an ensemble piece which requires a feeling of ‘working together’. If you are unavailable for the audition dates please contact me.

I look forward to seeing you in November.

Margery Jackson
Director
0771 010 1797
margeryjackson@talktalk.net

David Andrews
Production Manager
05405 92491
david_james_andrews@yahoo.co.uk