Audition Notice

Tipping the Velvet, based on the book by Sarah Waters, adapted by Laura Wade

Sunday 9th February, starting at 5pm (see below)

Director: Joseph Bentley

Musical Director: Ella Turk-Thompson

Production Dates: 8th - 16th May 2020 (10 performances)

Rehearsals: 29th March 2020 - Thursday 7th May 2020 (Generally four times per week, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, some additional nights in the week before the show for dress rehearsals).

Some singing rehearsals earlier than 29th March by arrangement with actors.

For more information, please contact Joseph on jobaho@hotmail.com.

PLEASE NOTE: auditions will start at 5pm for Nancy and Kitty singing auditions only. Auditions for everyone else will start at 7pm.

Description

Nancy, an oyster girl from Whitstable, is captivated by the music hall phenomenon Kitty Butler, a male impersonator extraordinaire. Nan eagerly watches all her shows and finally gets to meet her heroine before becoming Kitty's dresser. They soon head for the bright lights of Leicester Square where Nan is drawn in to be part of an all singing and dancing double act. The simmering attraction between these two leading ladies reaches breaking point and their affair begins...

A new adaptation of Sarah Waters’ beautiful novel, an upfront, unapologetic celebration of sexuality that just happens to be between two women.

This will be a large scale production with lots to do for everyone involved, with amazingly complicated and interesting characters, all of which will be such gifts to play. There will be a lot of doubling, tripling, etc of parts. The entire show is scripted as a play within a play, which is a device that really speeds the story along, and gives it more impact. This does also give opportunities for actors playing smaller character parts to to be costumed ‘crew’ changing sets and having swift costume changes, sometimes in full view for comedy effect, etc. It is a period piece set mainly in Victorian London on a music hall stage, so there will be many musical components. Nancy and Kitty are the only two characters that must be able to sing, but any other actors with singing ability may be utilised.

The novel has many erotic components, which are contained in this adaptation. These are important parts of Nancy’s story, so do need to be included. However, there will be no nudity in this production, so please do not let this put you off auditioning.

Characters

Nancy - A huge role, and the most challenging and rewarding part you’ve ever played. Nancy starts as a naive young woman, very nervous and timid, and through the play becomes strong and confident, using her experiences to build her faith in herself as a worthy person, woman, and lover. This a very complicated part, which will stretch you, but is an absolute gift for someone who’s up for the challenge. I would recommend anyone auditioning for Nancy to read the original novel to get a full feel for her. Must be able to sing and be comfortable with some intimate scenes. Female Late teens, early 20s

Chairman - Another huge part, the narrator of the piece, a counterbalance to Nancy’s strength of femininity and drive to an inclusive socialist future. A charismatic misogynist. He is the archetype of the patriarchal society of the time. As chairman of the theatre he is a cross between a master of ceremonies and a ringmaster. He is brimming with self-assured arrogance and masculinity, and feels very powerful as he eggs Nancy on through her turbulent experiences. He seems amused and entertained watching the plight of women. A fantastic opportunity to put your own spin on this character. Male 40s plus

Kitty - Nancy’s first love, the woman who awakes her attraction to women. We meet her as a ‘masher’, a cross-dressing singing act. She is sexy and aloof with an unclear past, but she never seems comfortable with who she is and the desires she has. She ultimately betrays Nancy because for all her apparent confidence, she cannot admit who she really is in a society that doesn’t accept them together. A complicated and tragic character. Must be able to sing and be comfortable with some intimate scenes. Female Mid 20s

Mother/Annie - Nancy’s mother is a sweet and kind hearted woman who lives for her family. She wants nothing more than provincial happiness for her daughters, but is excited and proud of Nancy when she leaves for London. Annie is Florence’s friend and fellow socialist activist. She is a confident ‘tom’, and proud of her individuality. She is a good friend to Florence and is kind hearted and generous. Female 40s-50s

Alice/Evelyn - Alice is Nancy’s older sister. She loves Nancy dearly, and they could not be closer until Nancy starts to explore her own life and assert her individuality. She struggles to accept Nancy’s lifestyle and attraction to women, which causes intense friction between them. Evelyn is one of the ‘Cavendish ladies’, a group of friends of Diana, and she is the most beautiful and classically feminine of the group, both amused and threatened by Nancy’s presence. Female Mid to late 20s

Father - Nancy’s father is a devout family man, and loves nothing more than his wife and two daughters, except maybe oysters. He is dedicated to the family’s restaurant business. He is charming, loving, and warm, forever the most important man in the lives of his family. Male 40s-60s

Walter - Kitty’s manager and later manager of Kitty and Nancy’s double act. He is unwaveringly supportive of Kitty, and less interested in Nancy until he sees the potential of their act together. He seems to be aware of, and understand, the relationship between Nancy and Kitty. He is very likely a closeted gay man and the marriage he seeks with Kitty is to protect his reputation. A wonderfully conflicted part. Male 30s-40s

Mrs Dendy/Mrs Jex - Mrs Dendy is the landlady of the boarding house that Nancy and Kitty stay at in London. She is an eccentric grandmotherly type with an affinity for theatrical types and performers. Mrs Jex is the ring leader of the Cavendish Ladies, a long-time friend of Diana, and desperately fascinated with Nancy. She is an outrageous gossip and posses not a single ounce of decorum. Another eccentric character in pursuit of her own amusement, which gives her huge potential for comedy, but this makes her turn to viciousness toward Nancy all the more distasteful. Female 50s-70s

Charlie - An employee at the music hall in London. He’s a cheeky chappie with an eye for Nancy. He’s friendly and warm to both Nancy and Kitty, and his interest in Nancy sparks Kitty’s jealousy. Male Late 20s to 30s

Sweet Alice - A young man working the streets of London, who takes Nancy under his wing. Initially annoyed and tries to move her along out of his patch until he realises that she is not the young man she appears to be. He softens and warms to Nancy when she agrees to send anyone who ‘wants a warm place to park his Percy’ in his direction. He tutors Nancy in how to make money in this line of work, and is obviously experienced. He seems to enjoy his work, getting satisfaction from seeing gentlemen vulnerable and at his mercy. Male Late teens to 30

Diana - Nancy’s second lover. A wealthy socialite with a penchant for young women, who she captivates with her sexually adventurous appetites. She enslaves Nancy to satisfy her needs, and uses her as a show piece at the Cavendish Club. A ferocious woman who should scare and arouse Nancy (and the audience) in equal measure. She is someone who will shower you with luxury if you are in her favour, but to cross her is to invite a savage response. The type of phenomenal part that you aren’t likely to find very often. The script includes Diana’s 40th birthday, but this could just as easily be her 50th birthday. Must be comfortable with some intimate scenes. Female 40s-50s

Blake - Diana’s maid, who Diana ‘rescued’ from a reformatory. She has a repressed sexual attraction to women that Nancy re-awakens. She is horribly bullied by Diana and her friends, and longs to escape her captivity. She is very fond of Nancy, but desires her freedom more strongly. Must be comfortable with some intimate scenes. Female Early to mid 20s

Dickie/Mary - Dickie is, until Nancy arrives, the youngest lady at the Cavendish Club. She is often found to be dressed as a boy, but much less convincingly than Nancy. She is threatened by Nancy’s advances into her niche, but is nonetheless rather taken with her just like the others. Mary is the maid at the boarding house Nancy takes refuge in after leaving Kitty. She is sweet, friendly, and concerned for Nancy’s wellbeing. Female 20s

Florence - Nancy’s third lover and the one she was always meant to find. She is an intelligent, sparky woman, who is deeply concerned with social injustice. She works for charitable causes, finding positions and help for friendless girls, and she is a strong figure in the socialist movement. She is adoptive mother to baby Cyril. While she is very content with who she is and her sexuality, she is not as immediately upfront as some of the other characters, which makes her an enticing mystery to Nancy. She is initially very taken with Nancy when they first meet but when they meet again, and after she was stood up, she struggles to let Nancy into her life. Ultimately the love that blossoms between these two women is the kind of love that we all long for. Female Mid 20s-30s

Ralph - Florence’s brother, and adoptive father to baby Cyril. He is the kindliest man you’ve ever met. Somewhat hopeless and nervous, but genuine and caring. He is passionate about the socialist movement and works tirelessly with Florence to generate political and social change. An incredibly heart-warming and lovable character. Male 30s to early 40s