THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL

by Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Adapted and Directed by Christine Lloyd

THE PLAY

The play is a fast moving, witty, romp of a satirical Comedy of Manners, first performed in 1770. Set in 18th Century London, with some contemporary twists, it has an elaborate plot involving disguise, mistaken identity, deception, attempts at seduction and adultery, and most of all scandal and malicious gossip used orchestrate intrigue and ruin reputations. However, in the time-honoured tradition of the best comedy, the deceptions, conspiracies and hypocrisy are eventually revealed and the perpetrators are uncovered. The original play has been adapted to make allusions and references in the text more relevant and to make the language used more accessible to actors and audience. The plot, however, remains unchanged.

Performances will take place on the main stage at the Theatre at 19.30, from the 11th of November until the 15th of November, with a 14.30 matinee on the 15th

REHEARSALS

Rehearsals will begin on the 13th of September and will take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 18.45 – 21.30 and on Saturday mornings from 10.30 – 13.00 or Sunday afternoons from 13.00 – 15.30, increasing to both days at the weekends from the 18th of October. You will not be required to attend every rehearsal, as none of the characters appear in every scene of the play, until Get In week, beginning the on the 2nd of November. A fully detailed Rehearsal Schedule will be provided if you are offered a part and you will be expected to commit to those rehearsals where you are needed if you accept a role.

Please note – We are aware that there may be some overlap between the starting date of rehearsals for The School for Scandal and the preceding production, Jekyll and Hyde. It is possible to be in both plays should you wish as accommodation will be made for rehearsals during the period of overlap.

AUDITIONS

Auditions will take place at the Maddermarket Theatre on;

12/07/25 – 10.30 -13.00

15/07/25 – 18.45 – 21.15

16/07/25 – 18.45 – 21.15

17/07/25 – 18.45 – 21.15

19/07/25 – 10.30 – 13.00

Call backs may be arranged for 27/07/25 if necessary

Auditions will take the form of group activities, to enable participants to become familiar with, and try out aspects of the genre, and group readings of unseen short sample scenes from the play. You will have time to prepare them within the audition. Expect the auditions to last for about an hour.

The play has been adapted from the original to make the language and references more accessible and relevant but the plot and style remain essentially the same. A copy of the adapted play will be available to consult at the theatre Box Office and a brief extract will be sent with your audition slot to give a flavour of the style of the play. N.B. The readings used in the auditions may be different so do not learn them.

To book an audition please contact Christine Lloyd at christinemlloyd@me.com and return the completed audition form below.

AUDITION FORM

THE CHARACTERS

N.B. The names of the characters generally provide strong clues to their personalities and roles in the plot !

The Gossips – all devotees of the very latest fashions in high society !

LADY SNEERWELL (Playing age 30s – 40) – The Headteacher of the School for Scandal. She has been crossed in love by Charles Surface and bears a dangerous grudge. She is determined, with the aid of her friends and confidantes, including Charles’ brother Joseph Surface, to ruin his reputation and ensure that he does not win the hand of Maria, who he loves.

MISTRESS SNAKE (Playing age any) – Chief confidante of Lady Sneerwell who lives up to her name in every sense, fermenting and relaying scandal and intrigue and betraying even her closest allies.

MISTRESS CANDOUR (Playing age any) – She purports to be a woman of integrity and high sentiment who is shocked by scandal but who engages wholeheartedly in the pursuit of ruining the reputations of friends and strangers alike by passing on unsubstantiated stories, half-truths and gossip with mock sincerity and great gusto.

MR. CRABTREE and SIR BENJAMIN BACKBITE (Men of the Town) (Playing age 30s – 60s) Crabtree and Backbite form a sort of comedy double act in the play, and can be uncle and nephew (as in the original text), cousins or simply friends, depending on casting (Sir Benjamin should be slightly younger than Crabtree and sees himself as a suitor for Maria’s hand in marriage). They dress in exaggerated versions of the latest fashions and adopt all the affected mannerisms, speech and habits of the period and genre. Their purpose in life is to spread stories, gossip and intrigue about everyone else in fashionable society. Like the other characters in Lady Sneerwell’s School for Scandal, they love nothing more than destroying reputations and seeding intrigue.

The Teazle Family

SIR PETER TEAZLE (Playing age 50s – 60s) – Neighbour to Lady Sneerwell. A wealthy man who has married a young woman from the country rather late in life. He is somewhat blunt, has no time for the fashionable set or for the extravagancies of his young wife who is very keen to be part of Lady Sneerwell’s school. This leads to many quarrels between them. He has been guardian to Joseph and Charles Surface, after their father, who was his close friend died, and is also guardian to Maria the daughter of another deceased friend. Joseph and Charles are now independent having received their inheritances. In spite of his abhorrence of gossip and scandal Sir Peter has been convinced that the scandal and gossip being spread about Charles, and his young wife, are true.

LADY TEAZLE – (Playing age 20s – 30s) Sir Peter’s young wife. Newly arrived in London from the country she has fallen in with Lady Sneerwell and her companions, particularly Joseph who, in trying to seduce Maria, has instead captured Lady Teazle’s interest and has decided to use her to get closer to Maria. She is easily persuaded to engage in Joseph’s intrigues in the mistaken belief that they are  necessary for her entrance into fashionable society.

MARIA – (Sir Peter’s ward) – (Playing are 20s – 30s) Not at all interested in the scandal and gossip herself, Maria is in love with Charles but has been deterred from getting involved with him because of the rumours circulating about his reputation. She is also being pursued by Sir Benjamin Backbite and Joseph but has no interest in either. She makes her views clear and is not prepared to be forced into a match with Joseph in spite of Sir Peter’s efforts to do so.

The Surface Family

MR. JOSEPH SURFACE (Playing age 30s – 40s) – Purports to be a man of Sentiment, who is sensitive, highly moral, lives an exemplary life and is the antithesis of his younger brother Charles. He is, however a devious hypocrite and a liar who is prepared to do anything to ruin his younger brother, win Maria and inherit his Uncle Oliver’s money. This includes attempting to seduce Lady Teazle and engaging in a dangerous collaboration with Lady Sneerwell in her campaign against Charles..

CHARLES SURFACE – (His younger brother) (Playing age 30s – 40s but younger than Joseph) Charles enjoys his life and spends his money liberally on entertaining, drinking, gambling and generally having fun. He has, it seems, frittered away his inheritance, all the family treasures and is in debt to moneylenders. However, it is revealed that he has used a considerable amount of his money to buy and maintain his father’s house, to keep it in the family, and is very generous to those less fortunate than himself including distant relatives.  He loves Maria and also feels strong family ties to his Uncle Oliver who he has not seen in many years.

SIR OLIVER SURFACE – (Uncle to Charles and Joseph) (Playing age 50s – 60s) He has been away in the far East since his nephews were young. He returns secretly to London and hearing about the reputations of both his nephews from Sir Peter, decides to disguise himself and visit them both to find out if the rumours are true. Much of the comedy in the play revolves around his disguised visits to the brothers.

MR. ROWLEY – (Friend of Sir Peter and Sir Oliver) (Playing age 50s – 60s) A strong supporter of Charles he does not trust Joseph or any of the scandal and gossip and sees through Joseph’s portrayal of himself as a man of Sentiment. He assists Sir Oliver with his deceptions and disguises in the hope that he will form a view of the bothers as they really are rather than how they are perceived.

(Charles’ (Drinking Companions)

MR. CARELESS (Playing age 30s 40s), GENTLEMAN 1 [TOM] (Playing age 30s – 40s), GENTLEMAN 2 [HARRY] (Playing age 30s – 40s) – All three are drinking and gambling companions of Charles. Careless also acts as the auctioneer when Charles sells the family portraits to raise money. Although they are fairly minor roles, there is scope to develop these characters into comedy cameos. It is also likely that doubling up of William, Joseph’s servant, with Tom or Harry of these could be possible.

MR. TRIP – (Servant to Charles Surface) (30s – any) – Affected and attempting to be a version of Sir Benjamin Backbite and Mr Crabtree. Over dressed, with exaggerated mannerisms and aspirations, he is happy to purloin and/or mortgage his master’s belongings in order to present himself as a man of fashion. A comic cameo role with lots of scope for development.

MR MORRIS (A Money Lender) (Playing age 40s – any) A successful money lender who is sympathetic with Charles as he knows Charles uses some of the money he borrows to give to others. He assists Sir Oliver with his disguise as a broker so that he can visit Charles and observe him.

Servants

LAPPET – (Servant to Lady Sneerwell), SUSAN – (Servant to Sir Peter and Lady Teazle) WILLIAM – (Servant to Joseph Surface) (Playing age any) – Small roles which have the potential for, and will be developed, as comedy cameos.

OLD TYME MUSIC HALL

We at Dreamcast Productions are delighted to join hands with the Maddermarket Theatre to invite you to step back to a golden era of the classic live entertainment and spectacle that delighted our forebears. We are holding auditions in July for people who wish to be involved in the production and presentation of a classic “Old Tyme Music Hall”.

We are very much looking forward to seeing the wealth of talent on offer, and whilst we’d love to see singers, actors, and performers who already have experience in the genre of  ‘Music Hall’, it’s not an essential requirement. What is most important is a willingness to learn, to embrace the format, and to enjoy being involved.

If you would like to come forward for audition or involvement, please bring along your music, spoken word or act for consideration.

We’re hoping that Norwich Players are keen to take part in this co-production, and will bring their wide range of experience and skills to what will be a wonderful evening reviving the traditions of the past Maddermarket Old Tyme productions.

David Rees, a very ‘seasoned’ Music Hall performer, will be directing the production, and we are delighted that Annette Jude will be joining us as our MD /Accompanist, alongside Heather Millan, who will do our choreography and chorus work. All three bring an absolute wealth of experience and knowledge in the field, and we know that those involved will thoroughly enjoy learning from and working with them.

Rehearsals will mostly take place on Sundays, between 10 am and 2 pm, depending on involvement in the production, and starting in September.

Auditions 
Auditions will be held on Sunday, 27th July at Heather Millan’s Dance Studio, Cowgate, Norwich NR3 1SZ
If you would like to come forward for audition please email: daviddreamcast@gmail.com to arrange a time.

We look forward to hearing from you.
Dreamcast Productions.

TREASURE ISLAND

by Robert Louis Stevenson

Adapted by Bryony Lavery

Directed by Sabrina Poole

sdpoole93@hotmail.com

Rehearsal start date – from 12th October

Performance dates – 19th December-3rd January (except 25th/26th)

Audition Dates –

Monday 18th August 7pm – 10pm

Wednesday 20th August 7pm – 10pm

Saturday 23rd August 11am – 3pm

Recalls:

Wednesday 27th August 7pm – 10pm

Saturday 30th August 10am – 4pm

THE PLAY

Robert Louis Stevenson’s beloved swashbuckling tale is brought to life in Lavery’s imaginative and witty adaptation. It’s a dark and stormy night. Jim, the inn-keeper’s grand-daughter, opens the door to a terrifying stranger. At the old sailor’s feet sits a huge sea-chest, full of secrets. Jim invites him in – and her dangerous voyage begins.

Full of sailing and sword fights, daring adventures and dangerous pirates, this show will aim to capture the heart of Stevenson’s novel. We’ll be exploring all the facets of the story – dark and light to create an exciting and thrilling show. Play is going to be the key word, I’m looking for an open-minded, creative, and adventurous team to take us to our final destination.

SINGERS/MUSICIANS

Sea shanties and music form a good part of the show. I am looking for strong singers and musicians who can play instruments such as violin, piano, guitar, flute/recorder, accordion, and percussion. There are two opportunities for musicians to take part: either as actor/musicians who would also fill a role in the show or solely as musicians who will appear as part of the ensemble on stage in key scenes and transitions. Those interested in appearing as an actor/musician should state this on their audition form. Those interested in musician should email their interest directly to the director including information on their instrument and level.

AUDITION FORMAT

Auditions will take the format of group work. We will begin with some group devising and character work followed by singing of a sea shanty – if you are not a confident singer do not worry, this is a group exercise. This will be followed by some text work. Actors are encouraged to wear comfy clothes that they can move about in.

THE CHARACTERS

Ages are given as playing ages only. Please note all actors must be over 18. We will be taking a gender-blind approach to the majority of the characters so auditionees are encouraged to audition for whatever takes their fancy. There is room for some doubling, but smaller roles can be taken on their own for those looking for less commitment.

Admiral Benbow Inn

Jim Hawkins Junior – teenager – a teenage girl dressed as a boy. Naïve but with a big heart and a bigger sense of adventure.

Grandma Hawkins – 60+ – a landlady, no nonsense but cares deeply for Jim.

Doctor Livesey – 30+ – a doctor and magistrate, strong moral compass, stronger backbone.

Squire Trelawney – 30+ – a squire with a big mouth, not very clued in.

Red Ruth – any age – lover of pies, future crew member

Job Anderson – any age – warned off the drink, bad swimmer, future crew member,

Lucky Micky – any age – is as his name suggests…for the most part, future crew member

Visitors

Bill Bones – 40+ – a haunted villain, violent temper and dependency on the drink

Black Dog – 40+ – eight fingered villain, aggressive.

Blind Pew – 50+ – blind villain, quietly ominous.

Crew of the Hispanola

Captain Smollett – any age – Captain of the Hispanola, straight thinking man, bit of a temper.

Long John Silver – any age – one-legged cook, charmer and villain

Joan the Goat – any age – headbutting villain

Isreal Hands – any age – clumsy, Brazilian villain *please note Isreal speaks almost exclusively in Portuguese. The actor playing this part will either need to be proficient with speaking Portuguese or speak another language we can translate his lines across to – all languages are welcome.

Dick the Dandy – any age – fashion savvy villain – deadly but fabulous.

Killigrew the Kind – any age – gentle killer villain

George Badger – any age – hard done by villain – life’s just really not fair,

Grey – any age – a grey, monotone, forgettable character yet this gives them an understated capacity for heroics

Captain Flint – a sassy, occasionally viscous parrot – the actor as Captain Flint will control a parrot puppet whilst speaking the lines.

Island Inhabitants

Ben Gunn – late teens to twenties – marooned cabin boy, lithe and nimble, has a strong obsession with cheese.