Download Audition_Form_DW-2016 - Basel English Panto Group

Panto 2016 Auditions
Dick Whittington
Written by Cheryl Barret
Directed by Peter Hilton.
Auditions by prior appointment, to be held at The Cellar, Sperrstrasse 67, 4057 Basel
Monday 18th April 19:00 to 21:00
Saturday 23rd April 13:00 to 17:00
Monday 25th April 19:00 to 21:00
Each day, children’s chorus auditions will be first followed by principals & adult chorus.
Mandatory attendance at technical & dress rehearsals (Scala Basel) 3, 4, 6 December
Mandatory attendance at all performances (Scala Basel) 8, 9, 10* 11* December.
*There are 2 performances a day on the 10th and 11th of December
Synopsis
Dick Whittington is a very traditional Panto based on a true story from around the 15th
Century. We have never ( for some reason) done this Panto before in Basel. The classic
story of Boy meets Cat, meets girl, meets rats and becomes Lord Mayor, told in a panto
style. This version stars the incomparable Frankie Binatra and his Rat Pack as the villains.
Dick Whittington and His Cat is the name of English folklore surrounding the real-life
Richard Whittington (c. 1354–1423), wealthy merchant and later Lord Mayor of London,
telling a story of how he supposedly escaped his poverty-stricken childhood and made his
fortune thanks to the ratting abilities of his cat. However, the real Whittington did not come
from a poor family of common stock, and there is no compelling evidence supporting the
stories about the cat, or even whether he owned one. Another element considered
essential to the legend is that Dick attempted to flee his service as a scullion one night, but
was dissuaded by the tone of the church bells, which promised he would become mayor of
London one day.
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Roles
The script names 23 actors, including Daisy the Cow. There are 14 principals plus adult
chorus with children included. The chorus are Londoners, Market Sellers and Sailors. The
adult/ child makeup will be decided during auditions.
Character Descriptions:
Sherry Trifle - Dame, never misses an opportunity to involve the audience. She should
never let the audience forget that she is a man giving a character performance of a
woman. Sherry should be played feminine but not effeminate. (M)
Idle Jack - Comic lead. Jack should be lazy at work but full of vitality, especially
interacting with children/audience. He is boisterous and has an irrepressible sense of
fun. This part should be played without any malice as he is the central comic character.
He is in love with Alice and although she sees him as a good friend. (M)
Dick Whittington – Principal boy. An adventure-seeking, ambitious young lad from the
country. He could be portrayed with a mild west country accent. Dashing and
handsome, he has a romantic outlook on life. For the most part he is cheerful, lively
and enthusiastic. (F)
Shadow – Dick’s cat. Catlike at all times. Important that the rest of the cast talk to the
cat, pat it’s head and acknowledge its presence. The person playing this part must
‘think cat’ at all times and mime a cat’s feelings. Shadow should listen and nod its
head in agreement etc. and wave to the audience on entrances and exits. Agile and
able to dance well. (M/F)
Ruby Fitzwarren - Principal girl. Alice is warm-hearted and intelligent. A pretty girl with a
sense of humour, she is also forthright and sensible. She should not be portrayed as a
shrinking violet. Good singing voice and dancing ability needed (F)
Alderman Fitzwarren - Alice’s father. Alderman Fitzwarren bumbles along and although
quite jolly he can be very pessimistic at times. His upright bearing should convey a man
of importance and authority. He should convey concern at his failing business and
fatherly concern for the welfare of his daughter, Alice. (M)
Fairy Bow Bella - Immortal. Bow Bella should be played as an older lady. She is not a
conventional pantomime fairy. Bow Bella is cockney through and through and this
should be reflected in her language. (F)
King Rat - Frankie Binartra clawed his way up to be King Rat. He is a ruthless villain and
leader of the all-singing all-dancing Rat Pack. King Rat is condescending and scornful
of the fairy, although they enjoy ‘sparring’ with each other. King Rat should be played
with swagger and his voice and movements, though rat-like should be decisive and
threatening. (M)
The Rat Pack - Played as old style American gangsters circa Chicago 1920s.:
Deano Martino - Within the hierarchy of the rat pack he enjoys giving the orders to the
other two. A bit brighter than Slimey and Junior. (M/F)
Slimey Davies - Slimey should be played as a real buffoon as he is not the brightest. (M/F)
Junior - Aspires to be as evil as King Rat, he is very much his shadow. Repeats a lot of
what the others say. Can be played by a child or youth. (M/F)
Rock Eel - Captain of the ‘Bedraggled Ferret’. French, Ladies man. Rock falls hook, line
and sinker for Sherry Trifle. The romantic scenes with Sherry should be very amorous
as befitting a Frenchman! (M)
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Chips - First Mate. Builds a good rapport with Jack. Like Jack he is daft at times but
sensible on board ship when dealing with the crew and the captain. Chips should
portray a fun-loving comic side as well as one of authority. (M/F)
Salt and Pepper - Ship’s cook and lookout respectively. Comic duo. Male if possible but
can be played by women. Salt is the more sensible of the two. Need quick repartee
with each other and the ability to adlib. Pepper is the dafter one of the duo and used to
be a pirate so plenty of pirate swagger. (M/F)
Sheik Onnit - Ruler of Morocco. Played with authority as befitting an Arab leader and with
an Arab accent, though not over the top. (M)
Mustapha Leak and Mustapha Look - Sheik’s bodyguards. Mustapha Look should be
played with more authority. Both are very protective of the camel and Sheik. Although
written as male, they could both be played as female. Played with Arab accents, though
not over the top. (M/F)
Donna and Shish - Sheik’s daughters Chorus parts for most of the show. The Sheiks
daughter’s can be played any age, however these parts are funnier if played by two
older females. They should flutter their eyelashes and toy with their veils as they flirt
with the sailors. Played with slight Arab accents though not over the top. (F)
Jordan - Sheik’s Camel. Two-part skin. The camel should display camel mannerisms, in
particular the head. The camel walk down should be in the skin (not two-parts) so as to
keep that element of wonder for the children.
Paddy Whack - Paddy Whack is a named chorus part and plays a comedy policeman and
sailor. (M/F)
Chorus - Costumes in Act One are mainly as Londoners, market sellers etc. and should be
bright. (M/F)
Daisy the Cow: A place will probably be found for her. (M/F)
The script names 23 actors, including Daisy the Cow. There are 14 principals plus adult
chorus with children included. The chorus are Londoners, Market Sellers and Sailors. The
adult/ child makeup will be decided during auditions.
CHILDREN’S CHORUS
Roles for children aged 9 – 11. The BEPG Committee has decided, based on past
experience, that there has to be a limit on the number of younger children involved and that
for any of them to be given a role, their parents or guardians must commit to their
supervision at the later run-through rehearsals and in the theatre both for rehearsals and
performances. This can be done by agreement between the families as to who will take
which days. However, it is essential that all supervisors of the children attend the full run
throughs and theatre rehearsals so they know when and where the children should be. The
back-stage theatre is very large and confusing so younger children need supervision to
make sure that they are at the right place at the right time. The cast and crew are all fully
occupied during the show and cannot be responsible for supervising the children.
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REGISTRATION
You will need to register with this form for one of the audition days. You must arrive 15m
before to start time. The auditions will include a warm up, some group singing exercises,
some simple group dancing exercises and some group acting exercises. Those who are
given auditions for the principal roles should be prepared to sing a solo if their character
has a solo or duet. Those auditioning for the principal roles may be asked to read from the
script. Children under 12 will be ready to be collected within 1.5 hrs of the start.
Roles will be confirmed by early May and the cast are required to read and learn their
scripts from then on. Everyone will be required to be off-book by Tuesday 4th October.
As last year, there will be three acting workshops on Tuesday 21st , Wednesday 22nd and
Thursday 23rd June at 19:00 in the Panto Cellar, provided by Fine Comb Theatre (FCT),
a professional theatre group from Manchester in the UK. The two principals of FCT, Rachel
McMurray and Catherine Morefield (Thomas) were formerly Basel Panto actresses and are
now theatre professionals in the UK with stage, TV and film credits. This workshop is
provided free of charge to paid-up BEPG 2016 members.
All of the cast are expected to attend one of these workshops. During the following
weekend, FCT will be performing a play at the Theater Arlecchino, 25th and 26th June.
Attendance would be appreciated at this event, though the play is contemporary, with adult
themes and strong language so parental discretion is required regarding children’s
attendence at “An evening with Fine Comb Theater”. The play is ‘Untrained Heros’ and is
the stories of those left behind when partners go off to fight in places like Iraq and
Afghanistan – again this has been written by Rachel McMurray and will have a
contemporary setting. Last year the plays were truly excellent so I urge to come and see it.
By registering your interest in being part of the Panto, you also agree to the following:
1) You will behave with respect at all times in the rehearsals and in the theatre. This
applies to all cast and crew.
2) You will remember that the show is the most important thing. You will be responsible for
your own behaviour in terms of time management and attendance at rehearsals.
3) In case of any disputes, the decision of the Director is final .
We also need help with:
Backstage crew / Backstage marshalling of artists / Set construction / painting
Costumes / Make-up / Advertising Copy Design / Programme design & setting /
Props / Lights & sound / Front of House
Please indicate any of these areas that are of interest to you. Training will be provided.
………….…………………………………………………………………………..……………..
………….…………………………………………………………………………..……………..
To be in the Panto as a performer or a listed member of the production team, for legal
reasons you have to become a member of the BEPG Verein for 2016. This is not
negotiable.
Family Membership:
Adult Membership:
Student AHV / IV Membership:
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CHF 50.00
CHF 30.00
CHF 20:00
NAME ………………………………………………………………………………..……….
AGE ………….. MALE / FEMALE …………………………………………………….……
PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME (if applicable)……………………………………………….
CONTACT email ………………………………………………………………………………
PREFERRED PHONE No …….……………………………………………………………
BACK UP PHONE No. ………………………..………………………………………………
SECOND BACK UP PHONE No. (optional) …………………… ………………………….
STREET ADDRESS ……………………………………………………………………………
I want to be considered for:
CHILDREN’S CHORUS (9 – 11) ……………………………………………………………..
ADULT CHORUS ……………………………………………………………..
ADULT CHORUS ………….…………………………………………………………
PRINCIPAL ROLES (Which?) ………….………………………………………………………
PREVIOUS STAGE EXPERIENCE …………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………...
ACTING TRAINING ……………………………………………………………………………..
SINGING TRAINING …………………………………..………………………………………..
DANCE TRAINING ……………………….……………………………………………………..
OTHER TRAINING (GYMNASTIC, CIRCUS, etc.) ……………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
If selected for the Children’s Chorus my parent/guardian ……….……………………….
commits to agree with the other children’s chorus parents/guardians to supervise the
children’s chorus at full run-throughs and in the theatre.
Signed …………………………………………… Name …………………………………….…
Place ……………………………. Post Code …………………. COUNTRY………………
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