Audition Notice

Airswimming, By Charlotte Jones

Directed by Ella Turk-Thompson

Sunday 27th February, 4pm

For more information, audition pieces and to book an audition slot, please contact Ella on ellatommo@hotmail.com.

Production Dates

24th – 28th May (5 performances) Brighton Fringe production

Rehearsals

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday (times to be confirmed).

About the Play

Described by Jones herself as ‘a comedy about despair’ Airswimming conjures warmth and hilarity from the most desperate of situations. Dora and Persephone – who somewhere along the play’s non-linear narrative become Dorph and Porph – are incarcerated in an institution for the criminally insane. They arrive in the 1920s, at the hands of families who immediately forget them, and are not released for over 50 years. Both characters are played throughout their lives so I have no fixed idea of their playing ages. The only consideration is that they compliment each other roughly in age and work well as a pair.

Characters

Dora/Dorph - Dora wants to be a soldier. She craves orders, occupation, purpose. She is lonely and loving and ultimately crippled by her own sense of misplacement in the world. She is also clever and witty and incredibly strong throughout years of incarceration. She takes Persephone under her wing when she arrives and looks after her as well as she can despite initial misgivings from the latter. 20 - 70

Persephone/Porph - Persephone is naïve, fragile, closeted: hilarious without meaning to be, unintentionally poignant and powerful. She is initially horrified by Dora but grows to depend on her and love her fiercely. She becomes a huge fan of Doris Day, much to Dora’s despair. Her mental faculty seems weaker than Dora’s but she has a talent for finding moments of real happiness. 20 - 70

BLT actively encourages auditionees from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities and any of the above parts could be played by any race.

The BLT Committee has decided that all those attending auditions will be required to provide evidence that they are double vaccinated before they enter the building – either from the NHS app, or the card which was issued to them at the Vaccination Centre. This will also include production directors and crew members.