Casting Call – two productions

STUFF AND NONSENSE THEATRE COMPANY

Patron: Chris Chibnall
Writer/Showrunner: Dr Who
Writer: Broadchurch, Torchwood

CASTING CALL – VARIOUS PRODUCTIONS

We are seeking experienced physical performer/puppeteers to join this established company who create thoughtful yet energetic shows for families with primary age children.

We seek strong team members who are inspiring to work with and will contribute to a positive work ethic. Performers tour with the company as part of a small team, and will be expected to do get-ins and get-outs with the company production manager. There is an ethos of team work, good humour and support. Contracts are paid at and above equity/ITC rates and include travel and accommodation.

Stuff and Nonsense is an established company, led by Artistic Director Niki McCretton, that values its team of artists and technical staff and prefers to bring performers into the company that are looking to spend some time with the company over the next few years. The work is part time and so would suit someone who has other projects that they wish to follow as part of a portfolio of work. We are a company that values professional development and members of the company are often offered other roles and to develop education work if they have those skills. The company has it’s own base at The Lyric Theatre, Bridport, Dorset, and Artistic Director Niki McCretton also offers space and mentoring to company members for their other creative projects and opportunities to present new work. Stuff and Nonsense is an @HOME Associate Company at The Point, Eastleigh and tours nationally at middle scale and into larger studios. We have presented the Christmas show at The Drum, Theatre Royal Plymouth for over a decade and are regularly supported by ACE. Rehearsals for these roles below may take place in Eastleigh, Bridport, Theatre Royal Plymouth and/or Stockton. The productions are known for high production values and clever, surprising, contemporary takes on the stories.

Stuff and Nonsense is an equal opportunities employer.

ROLES SOUGHT (for two productions):

The Man Who Wanted to be a Penguin –
A new devised, seasonal production by Stuff and Nonsense, commissioned by The Arc and The Albany Theatres.
Two-hander, 60 minute show.

Based on a short story written by the artistic director about a man who doesn’t fit in. Our main character loves all things cold and snowy and invents gadgets to make this his world. He is comedic, mischeivous, and deep. He learns to speak penguin via a lingauphone course and then adventures to the Antarctic to find the penguins. At its heart the piece is about communication and that many of us don’t communicate in mainstream ways. The devising and rehearsal process follows R&D funded by ACE, where the creative team worked with children and young adults who communicate differently – those with autism, aspergers, those who are unable to use the spoken word or have chosen their own ways to do things.

The contract (subject to funding – result in May 2019) is for rehearsals this summer to premiere in Dec 2019 for a 4-week run at The Arc, Stockton, a run in Feb half terms 2020, and a 4-week run at The Albany, Deptford in 2020.
There may be additional dates added but we seek performers for both Xmas seasons as part of the commission.
Rehearsals: 13th-25th May & 1st-5th July 2019 (all inclusive), at The Point, Eastleigh,
plus 18th -29th November at the Lyric, Bridport and The Arc, Stockton.
Performances: 2nd – 24th December 2019, The Arc, Stockton
plus Spring 2020 touring TBC.
Performances – 1st- 24th December 2020 The Albany, Deptford.

1 lead male –playing age 35-50
A character actor with physical skills, comedic ability and puppetry experience. Musical skills an advantage. Must be an experienced performer, able to connect with children and families and be charming, authentic. Devising skills essential. Able to bring creativity to the rehearsal room and have an ethos of play and discovery. Must be physically fit and agile. Physical performing may include some working at height.

Playing age: 35+ Height: 5’8’ upwards.
Build: Slim or athletic.
Hair colour: any
Look: Not clean cut.

2 female – playing age 25-45
Skilled puppeteer and physical performer with comedic ability. Must be able to play multiple characters. Singing an advantage. Other musical skills an advantage. Must be confident in the devising process. Puppetry experience essential. Physical performing, may include some working at height. Able to work closely with a second puppeteer and have an ethos of play and discovery. Devising skills essential. Able to bring creativity to the rehearsal room.

Height/build: any

THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER –
Remount of existing touring show, presented in Association with Theatre Royal Plymouth
Two-hander, 60 minute show

Written by Niki McCretton this is a witty adaptation of the classic story. Devised with the original cast is tells the story of Sam Lacy who is a brilliant creative who has the most fantastic ideas for incredible shoes. Unfortunately, his technical shoe making skills are lacking and his shoe making business is not doing so well. Living on his own at the top of a block of flats, his life changes when two mischievous green creatures sneak into his flat and transform his inventions into real shoes that make you dance, shoes that fly and shoes that make you laugh your head off. His neighbour Belinda, also a bit of a loner, helps him to try to find out what is going on. It is a gentle love story of two wonderful misfits, finding joy and success, with a wonderful twist at the end when they create super-hero costumes for the elves. The show has toured the UK on its original tour and was presented at Theatre Royal Plymouth in 2012 with critical acclaim and has been seen by over 20,000 audience members. Stuff and Nonsense have been asked to remount it for the Theatre Royal Plymouth for Christmas 2019 and to tour in 2020. It is anticipated also to have a further Christmas run in 2020. The show has a witty, fast-paced script, with lots of physical action and surprising staging of puppetry, which audiences really engage with. The characters have depth to them and are challenging to play. The story is enjoyed as much by adults as by children and it has high production values.

Belinda – Female – playing age 30-40
Comedic performer with excellent puppetry and acting skills. Quick paced lines to deliver plus must be able to work in a duo to create comic timing with opposite actor.

Physically demanding role, basic dance skills required, puppetry experience essential, performing to family audiences, alto singing voice. Any clown training an advantage.

Height: petite 5’2 max
Build: any

Sam – Male – playing age 30-40
Comedic performer with excellent physical, puppetry and acting skills. Quick paced lines to deliver plus must be able to work in a duo to create comic timing with opposite actor.
Physically demanding role, basic dance skills required, puppetry experience essential, experience of performing to family audiences, strong singing voice. Any clown training an advantage.

Height: 5’10 upwards – taller is an advantage.
Build: Slim

Rehearsals: 3rd & 4th June at The Lyric, Bridport and 10th – 13th June (all inclusive) in Plymouth, plus 18th & 19th June at Lighthouse, Poole
Performances: 1st December – 20th January 2020 at The Drum, Theatre Royal, Plymouth
plus touring for Spring 2020, dates TBC

Deadline for applications:
Please send CVs and a showreel to: admin@aloadofstuffandnonsense.com

The deadline for applications is Friday 29th March.

If you have auditioned for Stuff and Nonsense before and would like to be considered please send an updated showreel/CV.

Audition dates:
Auditions will be held in Bristol on Thu 4th April and London on Fri 5th April. 10.30-3pm and will be a short workshop audition followed by presentation of a short piece and an interview.

STRICTLY BY INVITATION ONLY

www.aloadofstuffandnonsense.co.uk

www.thepointeastleigh.org.uk
www.theberrytheatre.co.uk