Chesil Theatre Winchester will be holding open auditions on 28th and 29th November for Juno and the Paycock by Irish playwright Sean O’Casey. This play is a challenging mixture of comedy and tragedy, set in the crumbling working-class tenements of 1922 Dublin.
The twelve-strong cast covers an age range from 20 to 60. As well as the main characters, there are a number of small but significant roles. Director Cecily O’Neill said: “2016 is the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising and its violent aftermath is still affecting the family at the centre of the play. The hilarious philosophising of the father and his side-kick pitched alongside the courage and strength of the women in the face of misfortune have made this one of the classic dramas of the 20th century.”
The roles are:
- “Captain” Jack Boyle the Paycock, a work-shy wastrel, 50-60
- Juno the matriarch who holds the family together, 45-55
- Mary the daughter, a lively girl aspiring to leave the slums, 20s
- Johnny the son, crippled and hysterical with fear, 20s
- “Joxer” a sycophantic hanger-on, 50-60
- Charles Bentham a pretentious trainee solicitor, 25-35
- Jerry Devine in love with Mary, active in the labour movement, 25-40
- Mrs Madigan a neighbour, 50s-60s
- Mrs Tancred a tragic figure in mourning for her son, 50s-60s
- Nugent a tailor, 50s-60s
- Two removal men
- Two irregulars, IRA soldiers
Auditions will be held at the Chesil Theatre, Chesil Street at 10am on 28th November and 7.30pm on 29th November. There is an informal reading on Friday 27th November at 7.45pm and newcomers are very welcome. Juno and the Paycock will be presented at the Chesil Theatre from 12th to 19th March 2016.
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For further information please contact:
Flavia Bateson
marketing@chesiltheatre.org.uk