Audition Notice
London Assurance, by Dion Boucicault (Revised by Richard Bean)
Directed by Tess Gill
Sunday 2nd April 2023 2pm - 4pm
For more information, audition pieces and to book an audition slot, please contact Tess on tess.gill@gmail.com.
Production Dates
24 - 25 June, 28 June – 1 July (2 matinees – 25 June and 1st July)
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will start in 14 May (outside of the theatre initially)
About the Play
This is a fast and furious Victorian farce with many over the top characters who are involved in fooling themselves, and each other. Sir Harcourt Courtly, a vain, aging peacock is persuaded away from his London town house to a weekend in the country, by his old friend Max Harkaway, by the promise of a young, beautiful and rich bride, many decades his junior.
Sir Harcourt’s own son Charles is also desperate to get away due to his mounting debts and by chance his new acquaintance - Richard Dazzle, an easy going chancer, has also secured a weekend away for which Charles gleefully joins him. Unfortunately, they are all going to the same place and Charles is forced to pretend he is someone else so his father does not find out. Long-suffering servants of Sir Harcourt try to ensure that he remains in the dark about his son’s dissolute life and help Charles avoid the creditors, but this is not an easy task.
Grace Harkaway is the 18-year-old proposed bride who views marriage as a sensible transaction but when she meets young Courtly she realises this pragmatic view may have been a little hasty. Lady Gay Spanker, Grace’s hearty and energetic cousin, appears for a visit and Sir Harcourt also has second thoughts about his young bride. Lady Spanker is easily persuaded to lead Sir Harcourt astray so that the young lovers can move forward with their romance. Into this mix there is also interfering lawyer, a resolute creditor, a pert maid and Lady Gay’s sweet husband Dolly.
I am open to the following parts being played by any gender of actor: Richard Dazzle, Mark Meddle, Cool, Martin, James, Soloman Isaacs.
If anyone is interested in helping with any backstage (including sound), costume or make-up please let me know. There will be a workshop element to the audition so please come prepared to take part in activities.
BLT actively encourages auditionees from ethnic minority communities and any of the
below parts could be played by any race.
You do not have to be a member of the company to audition, but if you are cast you must join.
Characters
Sir Harcourt Courtly - Mentioned in the script to be 57 although he vehemently denies this. Sir Harcourt is vain, verbose, has enormous self-belief and is easily believes flattery. I will be looking for an actor who can be physically expressive (is fond of striking a pose!). 50’s – 60’s.
Max Harkaway - An old friend of Sir Harcourt Courtly he is a much wiser and clearer thinking person than his friend. He is indulgent with his niece and has a fondness for the energy of the young. 50’s – 60’s
Charles Courtly - Sir Harcourt’s son (mentioned as being 25), his deluded father believes he is an angelic boy but he is not at all well behaved – he has been running up debts and partying all over town. He falls in love with Grace Harkaway, almost at first sight. 20’s – early 30’s
Richard Dazzle - A chancer – he lives up to his name of Dazzle. He has made a life living on the wealth of others and is consequently amiable, but manipulative when he needs to be. Rescues Charles Courtly on a drunken night out and subsequently finds himself invited away for the weekend. 20’s - 30s
Mark Meddle - A poor country lawyer. He is constantly looking for an angle but frequently finding himself undone by sharper intellects. Wants the gossip for his own advantage. 20’s – 40’s
Cool, Sir Harcourt’s Valet - Cool is like his name. He covers for Charles but knows exactly what his employer is like. Deals effectively with those who come in his way. 30’s – 60’s
Grace Harkaway - She is mentioned as being 18 – she believes herself to be pragmatic and sensible but she has very little experience of the world. Late teens – early 20’s
Pert, Grace’s Maid - More worldly than her mistress. Pert is like her name, does not suffer fools gladly and is happy to speak her mind to anyone! 20’s – 30’s
Lady Gay Spanker - Larger than life this is a formidable woman, manages her own destiny and lives life to the full. 30’s – 60’s
Mr Aldolphus (Dolly) Spanker - Country gent quite sweet, obliging and vacant but roused into action when Sir Harcourt shows interest in Lady Spanker. 50’s – 60’s
Martin, Sir Harcourt’s Servant - Small role – will probably be involved in set moving/ back stage work as well. Any age
James, Max Harkaway’s Servant - Small role – will probably be involved in set moving/ back stage work as well. Any age
Mr Soloman Isaacs - Small role – creditor in pursuit of his money. 40’s – 60’s