Audition Notice
The Wild Washerwomen
By Ella Turk-Thompson
From ‘The Wild Washerwomen’ by John Yeoman and Quentin Blake
Directed by Ella Turk-Thompson
Sunday 8th June 2025, 2pm
Production Dates
20th -22nd August at 2pm, 23rd August at 11am and 3pm at Brighton Open Air Theatre
Rehearsals
29th June – 19th August - Tuesdays, Fridays, Sunday
If you are unable to make the audition date and for more information and audition pieces, please contact Ella on ellatommo@hotmail.com
‘Look out, the wild washerwomen are coming!’
Once upon a time, there were seven unhappy washerwomen. They had far too much washing to do and the owner of the laundry, Mr Balthazar Tight, was simply dreadful!
So, one day, they decide to go on strike.
Delighted by their newfound freedom, they undertake a wild rampage through the land. Seemingly uncontrollable and unstoppable, the Wild Washerwomen careen through village after village with their goat cart, stealing hats, climbing trees, swinging on bell ropes and having a marvellous time! Nobody can stand in their way. That is until seven woodcutters come along with a cunning plan up their sleeves, eager to teach the washerwomen a lesson. But perhaps the washerwomen will teach the woodcutters a thing or two instead, and everyone might just live happily ever after…
A brand new adaptation of this wonderful, anarchic, classic children’s picture book.
A family musical with lots of singing and running about, heaps of silliness, and people getting very dirty and also very clean.
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.
In this particular production the roles are all age and gender blind. It is very much an ensemble piece so rocking up with only a vague idea of who you wish to play is totally fine. It is also fine to be completely specific. Everyone will be involved in some singing but the solos are sung by ‘Winnie’, ‘Mr Balthazar Tight’ and ‘Lysander’. If you want to go for these roles please prepare a song for the audition. Do get in touch for advice on song choice: Winnie has quite a virtuosic song but Tight and Lysander have more character-type songs and there is no need to have a brilliant voice, just boundless enthusiasm. All songs are original and can be transposed into any key.
Characters
Minnie - Minnie grew up the eldest of 11 children and excelled at laundry from the age of six. To this day she has never been beaten by a stain. Or in an arm wrestle. Something of a matriarch. Any age
Winnie - Before becoming a washerwoman Winnie would come to the river for a quick dip in the cold water and then eat her lunch on her favourite rock under the tree. After she became a washerwoman there was no time for such things. Has a solo song. Any age.
Molly - Molly and Dolly are sisters, twins in fact, although not identical. They agree on almost everything but disagree strongly about spiders and marmite. Any age.
Dolly - Molly and Dolly are sisters, twins in fact, although not identical. They agree on almost everything but disagree strongly about spiders and marmite. Any age.
Dottie - Dottie’s favourite food is mackerel pate. She likes it best on crisp brown toast. She ate it a few times as a child but has never been able to afford it since. Any age.
Lottie - Lottie has a fear of the river where the women do all their washing because she cannot swim. She often has nightmares about falling in and being swept away all tangled up in a set of dirty pyjamas. Her friends assure her repeatedly that they will never let this happen, that they would dive in without hesitation to rescue her. And the pyjamas. Any age.
Ernestine - Ernestine and her sister Clementine travelled from their home in a distant village to seek their fortunes here. Clementine found work in a tea shop where she is given lunch and tips. And Ernestine became a washerwoman at the Laundry of the notorious Mr Balthazar Tight. Any age.
Mr Balthazar Tight - Tight by name and nature. The owner of the laundry and a very mean little man who keeps the washerwomen working from morning till night. Has a solo song and possibly a top hat… Any age.
Perkin - The unfortunate bringer of bad news and Mr Tight’s employee. Perkin also narrates the story and is a pretty good egg. Any age.
Lysander - A goat, once Perkin’s but stolen by the washerwomen. Very few lines but a pivotal solo song. Very physical role. Any age.
Chip - A Woodcutter. Any age
Ash - A Woodcutter. Probably the brains. Any age.
Blaze - A Woodcutter. Any age.
Bast - A Woodcutter. Any age.
Rowan - A Woodcutter. Any age.
Flitch - A Woodcutter. Any age.
Riven - A Woodcutter. Afraid of goats.
Boy and Townspeople - A chorus of general raucousness, can double with the woodcutters. Lots of singing and larking about.