Audition Notice

The Girl on the Train, by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Able, Adapted from the Novel by Paula Hawkins

Directed by Harry Atkinson

Sunday 7th August, 7pm

For more information, audition pieces and to book an audition slot, please contact Harry on atkinsonwilliam2003@yahoo.co.uk.

Production Dates

25th - 29th October 2022 (5 performances)

Rehearsals

Start on 21st August, days and times tbc.

About the Play

We will be taking a multimedia approach to this production, with music and projected images being integral to the production. All flashbacks will be videoed and projected onto the back wall during the performance.  The play is a psychological thriller in which nothing is what it appears to be when we first encounter it. Central to its theme is psychological, emotional, and physical abuse, but this doesn’t become apparent until well into the narrative.

Rachel has been subjected to historical abuse by Tom,  though both Rachel and the audience don’t realise this until nearly the end of the play. Rachel is divorced, jobless and an alcoholic when we first meet her. She is recently divorced from Tom, who is now remarried to Anna, and they have a new baby. Rachel is still obsessed with Tom and frequently contacts him. Every day, Rachel rides the train into town, partly out of habit and partly out of boredom. She frequently sees Meghan on her terrace or in her back garden, and she begins to fantasise about how perfect her life seems to be – lovely house, lovely, caring husband etc.

One day she sees Meghan kissing someone definitely not her husband, and this throws Rachel’s fantasy into chaos. Shortly afterwards Meghan disappears, and this leads to a police investigation which focuses on first one character and then another. When her body is discovered, she is found to be pregnant and DNA testing reveals that the father is neither her husband nor her lover. There is some violent physical action in the play which needs to be carefully choreographed, including Rachel killing Tom with a corkscrew at the end of the play. Thrills and spills!

You do not have to be a member of the company to audition, but if you are cast you must join.

Characters

Rachel Watson A demanding role and a huge part, since she’s seldom off stage. Unstable for most of the play but works her way towards an understanding of herself and her history. 20s/30s

Anna Watson Appears to be in the perfect relationship but as the narrative unfolds, we find serious conflicts between her and Tom. She is initially annoyed by Rachel but becomes an ally at the end. 20s/30s

Meghan Hipwell The object of Rachel’s admiration and of her longing to be like her. But in fact Meghan is a deeply conflicted and disturbed woman. Please note since all of Meghan’s scenes will be videoed because they are flashbacks, she will not be required to be on stage during the run. She will, however, take her bows with the rest of the company. 20s/30s

Tom Watson Presents as a pleasant, caring, straightforward man, but is in effect devious and a serial abuser of women. 20s – 40s

Scott Hipwell Rather out of his depth with Meghan, quick tempered and will resort to physical violence. 20s – 40s

Kamal Abdic Meghan’s psychiatrist and her lover.  He becomes a suspect in the murder of Meghan. (We are looking for a male actor of Asian or Middle Eastern heritage to play this role.) 20s – 40s

D I Gaskill Methodical, able to keep an open mind, not your conventional detective. 30s – 50s

There is a possibility that we can include some non-speaking roles. 20s – 50s

BLT actively encourages auditionees from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.