Directed by Tess Gill
Audition Date: Sunday 26th April 2026, 4pm - 8pm
Production Dates
Brighton Open Air Theatre
19th – 22nd August 2026 7:00pm
22nd August 2026 2pm
Rehearsals
Read Through: 24th May 2026
Rehearsals will start from 20th June 2026Due to the rehearsal period taking place over the summer I am intending to have some initial meetings and rehearsals in May/June with rehearsals starting fully w/c 20 June. It is also possible that work will be taking place in the theatre so we may be rehearsing at different venues or outside. Rehearsals will include 2-3 nights a week and Sundays.
If you are unable to make the audition date and for more information and audition pieces, please contact Tess on tess.gill@brightonlittletheatre.com
The play is based on an unfinished Jane Austen novel: The Watsons. The story begins with Emma Watson, returning to her family home after the rich aunt who adopted her remarries. She and her two sisters, daughters of a poor and dying clergyman, have only one hope of a happy future - to marry well. She meets some archetypal suitors, the handsome cad, the earnest young clergyman and the rich but aloof Lord and could have her pick. So far, so Austen….
However, when she starts to choose her future mate, a maid intervenes and tries to steer her in a different direction. The play then starts to unravel as the characters realise they are characters and the author assigned to finish the story doesn’t really know where it’s going. Modern world and hilarious existential crisis follows as all the characters have to decide if they want to choose their own story or have it written for them.
There will be a certain amount of movement required from most of the cast including a dance at the beginning of the show and a ridiculous battle towards the end. Therefore, there will be some movement in the audition. Please be aware of this and dress accordingly. Also please be aware that although it is lovely if someone is a dancer I am very much looking for people who look like ordinary people moving so this is not about dance ability but enthusiasm, a willingness to participate and a certain sense of abandonment!
There is also a certain amount of intimacy within the show - each character that requires this is noted in the character description. For most this is limited to a kiss and / or holding hands but for Emma and Bertie this will require some more intimate touching. I am intending to work on those scenes with an intimacy coordinator but please do be aware of the requirement.
Please be aware that there may be some doubling of parts, to be determined, so if there is a playing age that doesn’t mean you have to be that age but that you can convey that age (e.g. possibly doubling of Miss Osborne 20s and Mrs Edwards 40s could occur)
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
Emma Watson Pretty but poor Emma has been brought up by an aunt who promised her everything and then married a soldier. She is quick witted, pragmatic and not impressed by convention. She is also determined and enjoys a laugh. Some intimacy. Stated in the script to be 19. Female presenting. Late teenager- early 20s
Elizabeth Watson Emma’s oldest sister. The sister who has been left to care for her father. She had a suitor in the past but this came to nothing and is now a bit despondent. She is a master of the back handed compliment. Some intimacy. Stated in the script to be 28. Female presenting. Late 20s - early 30s
Margaret Watson Emma’s middle sister. Determined to marry, silly and single-minded - she was written with a desperation for matrimony. Some intimacy. Female presenting. Mid 20’s
Laura The author, masquerading as a servant, Laura is a slightly fraught and panicked creative. She is missing her deadline and has written herself into the story in order to finish it but finds herself being over-ruled by the rest of the characters. Has a bit of a breakdown in the second act when she loses control. Female presenting. 30’s-40s
Robert Watson Older brother of Emma, Elizabeth and Margaret. He is very intellectual and very interested in new inventions. He is very dry and capable of going off on a tangent. Has very little interest in his wife or anyone else. Male presenting. 40’s
Mary Watson Robert’s wife, she is ill-suited to her husband. She married for status and is fairly obsessed with maintaining her position. She is bored with her life. Some intimacy. Female presenting. 30s-40s
Lady Osborne The richest lady in the neighbourhood. She is strong, confident and clever. Through the process of the play she learns about herself and chooses to go against convention. Some intimacy. Female presenting. 50 plus
Nanny Servant to the Watsons Nanny is surprisingly well read and a very practical person. Some intimacy. Female presenting. 40 plus
Miss Osborne Daughter of Lady Osborne, a lady of wealth but bored with her life and keen for adventure. Female presenting. 20s
Lord Osborne A very rich gentleman. A Mr Darcy type character he appears dismissive but there is more to him. Some intimacy. Male presenting. 20s-30s
Tom Musgrave A cad, charming and flirtatious he appears capable of getting anything he wants but he also has hidden depths. Some intimacy. Male presenting. 20s-30s
Mr Howard The local reverend - good, very good, possibly too good - he seems a little pious. Some intimacy. Male presenting. 30s-40s
Charles Howard Mr Howard’s nephew. He is written in the script as a ten year old boy (probably going to move this to 12) - he’s funny and warm child. * I am not casting anyone under the age of 16 but the person in this role needs to be able to convey someone younger than everyone else on stage. Male presenting. 12
Smaller Roles
Mr Edwards Kindly older gentleman who brings Emma to the party - appears in two small scenes. Possibly doubled with Mr Watson. Male presenting. 40 plus
Mrs Edwards Kindly older woman who accompanies Emma to the party - appears in two small scenes. Female presenting. 40 plus
Mr Watson The Watson family patriarch appears on a bed at the beginning of the play and then dies in the second act. Possibly doubled with Mr Edwards. Male presenting. 50 plus
Bertie One of the soldiers, he is very happy to be picked by Emma (but you get the impression he is not very bright) Some Intimacy. Male presenting. 20-30s
Non Speaking roles - doubling as backstage
Dancers at the ball. Not specified
Officers. Male presenting