Stephen Sondheim’s fantastic Musical Comedy ‘Company’ is the latest joint fundraiser musical between EBOS and South Hill Park, being performed 13 – 16 July 2016, and we are delighted to now announce the details for the previews and auditions for this fantastic show!
Directed by – Mel Hampshire
Musical Director- Tim Cumper
Choreographer- Auriole Wells
First Preview:
Monday 11th April 7.30pm
Second Preview/Early Auditions:
Thursday 14th April 7.30pm
Auditions:
Sunday 17th April 2pm (time TBC)
Please note, all auditions will take place at the below address:
Unit 9 Pinewood Leisure Centre
Old Wokingham Rd
Wokingham
RG40 3AQ
Contact:
info@nullebos.org.uk – for more details!
SHOW SYNOPSIS:
On the night of his 35th birthday, Robert struggles to think of a wish to make as he blows out his birthday candles. The lone bachelor, surrounded by “those good and crazy people” — his married friends — Robert is uncertain whether he should simply be happy with his lot or whether he should wish for his own romantic partner. Over a series of dinner parties, first dates, and thoughtful conversations, Robert attempts to understand the pros and cons of marriage from his diverse and frequently hilarious friends and begins to make sense of his own persistent bachelorhood.
CHARACTER DETAILS:
Robert (Bobby)
35 years old, Robert is a confirmed bachelor, living in New York City. Although he has great friends, Robert is the only one who is still single. Intelligent, affable, and at ease in almost any situation, Robert is everyone’s favorite third wheel. Although he appears cheery and self-confident on the outside, it masks a painful sadness within. He remains at a safe emotional distance from everyone around him — in romantic relationships and in his friendships, as well. Robert is simultaneously terrified of marriage and terrified of being alone for the rest of his life. It’s far easier for Robert to look back with longing on relationships past than it is for him to look forward into his future. This is a tour-de-force role for an actor with charisma and depth.
Harry:
30s to 40s. Harry is the husband of Sarah, and one of Robert’s close friends. Harry is an alcoholic who is attempting to stay on the wagon after two arrests for public intoxication. He’s an unenthusiastic teetotaler, but at least he’s honest about it. Harry is constantly verbally sparring with his wife, Sarah, needling her about her own vices (especially an obsession with food). Regardless, he truly does love Sarah and is honest with Robert when asked. Although there are drawbacks in marriage, Harry believes, the benefits outweigh them, saying that marriage makes you ”sorry-grateful” and “regretful-happy.”
Sarah:
30s to 40s. Sarah is the wife of Harry, and close friends with Robert. Sarah is a former foodie with a penchant for overindulgence. She’s currently on a highly restrictive diet, which has made her something of a food voyeur — she watches other people eat to satisfy her own desires. Because she’s always thinking about food, she’s also often talking about it. Her other favorite topic of conversation is Harry, who she criticizes, constantly particularly with regard to his alcoholism. They are well-matched partners in their ability to wage verbal war with one another. Recently, Sarah has taken up karate, which ultimately turns their verbal war into a physical one. Hard as she is working at karate and proud as she is at what she’s learned, karate fails to ), fully distract deprived Sarah from her possessive desire for food.
Susan:
30s to 40s, Southern accent. Susan is the wife of Peter and close friend of Robert. A sweet, lovely southern belle, Susan appears to be the perfect wife. However, despite her seemingly picture-perfect relationship with her husband, Peter, she and her husband decide to get a divorce. Even so, Susan and Peter function as a married couple. This is confusing to most observers, including Robert, but it makes perfect sense to Susan and Peter. Susan is affectionate and motherly with Robert
Peter:
30s to 40s. Peter is the husband of Susan and close friend of Robert. An Ivy League-grad, Peter seems to have the world at his feet. Despite seeming to have a seemingly picture-perfect relationship with his wife, the lovely southern belle Susan, however, Peter and his wife are unfulfilled in their marriage and decide to divorce. This is confusing to most observers, including Robert, but it makes perfect sense to Susan and Peter. Without Susan present, Peter asks Robert if he has ever had a homosexual experience. Both men confide that they have, but Peter takes it a few steps further, close to the edge of a come-on (though it never becomes explicit). Whether Peter would self-identify as gay is left unclear.
Jenny:
30s to 40s. Jenny is David’s wife and a close friend of Robert’s. A lovely, sweet middle-class, straight-edged square. Despite her seemingly conservative, obedient appearance, Jenny can be subtly manipulative and knows how to get what she wants. Jenny understands that her husband likes to feel important, so she indulges him from time to time in the fantasy that he’s in control. Ultimately, however, Jenny pulls all the strings. Jenny is playful, smart, and genuinely cares for Robert.
David:
30s to 40s. David is Jenny’s husband, and a close friend of Robert’s. He’s avidly middle-class, with just enough of a wild streak to keep it interesting. David is relaxed and affable, and likes to feel as if he is in control. He enjoys that his wife, Jenny, appears to defer to his judgment, but — in fact — is often manipulated by her. David likes being married and believes in the institution– according to him, the benefits of marriage are far greater than the freedoms you give up.
Amy:
20’s to 30s Paul’s fiancee and Robert’s former girlfriend (now, friend.) . Amy has been living with Paul for years, and is excited that they’re finally tying the knot — or so she thinks. It is only on the morning of her wedding that Amy realizes how terrified she is of marriage. Already somewhat neurotic, and an expert in therapy, Amy overanalyzes the situation until she’s spun herself out of control. She suffers a major mental breakdown during which she calls off her wedding, just as she and Paul are taking their vows. It takes her friend and ex-boyfriend Robert impulsively offering to marry her instead to make Amy realize that she does love Paul enough to marry him. The actor playing Amy should be an exceptional comic actor with great diction– her song “Getting Married Today” is a speedy, wordy, neurotic showstopper.
Paul:
20’s 30s . The fiance of Amy and a close friend of Robert’s. Paul is sweet and loving– he cares deeply for Amy and would do anything for her. Desperately in love with his fiancé, Paul can be mildly clingy. Yet, he is patient and generous towards his neurotic lover, and his affection for her is deeply felt. Paul believes in marriage and can’t wait to take part in the institution; he urges Robert to do the same. Paul is cool under pressure and maintains his calm even when Amy is flying off the wall. He loves her more than life itself.
Joanne:
40s to 50s. Joanne is on her third (or is it fourth?) marriage, this time to the fun-loving Larry. She’s very close to Robert, and questions why they never had a relationship. To outsiders, Joanne appears acerbic, blunt, and bitter. She’s always got her guard up and very rarely lets others in. Joanne is also somewhat older than Robert — she’s too old to run with the young folks, but too young to run with the old folks. Joanne’s brassy, brutish front falls when she’s with Larry, who loves her despite (or even because of) her quirks. The actor playing Joanne should have immense charisma and exceptional comedic timing. Her song “Ladies Who Lunch” is a showstopper that simultaneously rips apart social falsehoods and exposes her own vulnerabilities.
Larry:
40s to 50s. Joanne’s husband. Larry is usually fairly stoic and grounded, although he freely gives in to goofy impulses, as they come. He is always the first to jump up and dance, and his lack of self-consciousness is both charming and a little embarrassing. Although he indulges Joanne in her more brutish moments, he knows when to put a stop to it. He refuses to leave Joanne, even when she’s acting out, because his own father left when he was a boy, and Larry does not want to make the same mistake. Larry is dependable, self-aware, and unconditionally loving.
April:
20s to 30s. One of Robert’s girlfriends. A flight attendant originally from Shaker, Ohio. April is “dumb”– self-labeled — and reportedly moved to New York so she could live at Radio City, which she thought was a suburb of New York City. She stayed because, according to her, she “bores herself.” Despite April’s self-deprecation and daffiness, she’s sweet, thoughtful, and warm. April is ditzy, but earnest; unintellectual but occasionally profound; and thoroughly lacks social skills. The actor playing April should have experience with close harmonies, as she performs in the trio “You Could Drive a Person Crazy.”
Marta:
20s to 30s. One of Robert’s girlfriends. A streetwise, magnetic young woman who is obsessed with New York. Marta has an opinion about just about everything, and won’t hesitate to share it. She’s hip, fashion-forward, and profoundly cool. She does not, however, know quite when to shut up. The actor playing Marta should have experience with close harmonies, as she performs in the trio “You Could Drive a Person Crazy.” She should also have a strong mix and/or belt for her showstopper “Another Hundred People.”
Kathy:
20s to 30s. One of Robert’s ex-girlfriends; now, a very close friend. A sweet, genuine, and kind young woman, Kathy is tired of living in the hustle and bustle of New York. Although she once loved Robert enough to want to marry him, now Kathy is engaged and planning to move back to Cape Cod to start a family. Kathy has been desperate for love and for something solid in her life and is thrilled to have finally found it. The actor playing Kathy should have experience with close harmonies, as she performs in the trio “You Could Drive a Person Crazy.”
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