Barn Theatre Casting for 'Noises Off'

The following was submitted by The Barn Theatre Publicity Director D'Angelique Dopson.

“Noises Off”

A comedy by Michael Frayn

Directed by Tom Blewitt

Auditions: Sunday, July 15, 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Monday, July 16, 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Callbacks: TBD

Performance dates: September 7–29, 2012 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays).

Show description: Noises Off follows the on- and off-stage antics of a touring company stumbling through the final rehearsal of Nothing On, a typical British sex farce, as it runs headlong into its disastrous opening night. But the real show is going on backstage, where every exit from the stage is an entrance into a comedy of errors and every slamming door has everyone one step closer to becoming unhinged! Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

Cast requirements: Five men and four women. Seeking actors with great fast-paced comic timing, and strong physical comedy skills. Readings will be from the script. Actors should be prepared to demonstrate a British dialect.

Dotty Otley Female, 50s. Established stage actress and a bit of a character. Plays Mrs. Clackett, the housekeeper in Nothing On, the play within the play. Cockney accent as Mrs. Clackett. 

Lloyd Dallas Male, 40s–50s. The director of Nothing On. Pretends to be upper class, but is not. Aging, but still tremendously appealing in a Sean Connery kind of way. Standard British accent.

Gary LeJeune Male, 30s. Pleasant looking but never able to complete a thought. Dotty’s love interest. Plays Roger, a high-powered real-estate agent in Nothing On. As Roger he is a bit of a pretender, confident about real estate, insecure and a bit awkward with women.

Brooke Ashton Female, 20s. Typical ingénue. Self-absorbed and not always sure what’s going on. Plays Vicki, Roger’s love interest in Nothing On. Pretty face - must be well put-together and comfortable wearing nothing but undergarments for much of the show. Great legs are an asset.

Frederick Bellowes Male, late 30s–40s. Very handsome in a conventional and old-fashioned way. Plays Philip Brent in Nothing On. Upper class British Accent as Phillip. Good build. Should look like he was made to wear fine clothes.

Belinda Blair Female, 30s. Leading Lady, handsome, rather than pretty. Tries to sort things out and help people understand each other. Plays Flavia, Philip’s wife, in Nothing On. Upper Class British Accent as Flavia. Should also wear fine clothes comfortably. 

Selsdon mowbray Male, 50s–70s. A reformed alcoholic (or is he?) who gives everyone a turn. Hard of hearing (or is he?) but always turns up in the nick of time. Plays the burglar in Nothing On. Middle class British accent as Selsdon, and a Cockney accent as the burglar.

Poppy Norton-Taylor Female, 20s. Assistant Stage Manager of Nothing On. Pleasant looking, soft-spoken. a bit nervous and self-effacing, eager to please. Had an affair with Lloyd Dallas.

Tim Allgood Male, 20s–30s. Stage Manager of Nothing On. Tireless good egg that keeps things running smoothly, understudies several roles. Character actor, medium build. Pleasant looking, but not handsome. 

Please arrive within the first hour of the audition to register. Readings will be from the script, sides will be provided. All roles are available. Casting is open, and newcomers are welcome and encouraged. If you have any questions about the play or auditions, please contact Director Tom Blewitt at tomsquad73@yahoo.com.

The Barn Theatre is located at 32 Skyline Drive in Montville, NJ, just minutes off Route 287, Exit 47. For more information or directions, call (973) 334-9320, or visit www.barntheatre.org.