AUDITION NOTICE – “THE HOUSEKEEPER” – A Comedy.

By James Prideaux

PERFORMANCE PERIOD: MAY 22nd – JUNE 14th 2025

SYNOPSIS

Foundering a little after the death of his elderly (and domineering) mother, Manley Carstairs, a self-styled literary artist, engages a housekeeper, Annie Dankworth, to look after his large Victorian house (and himself).
When Annie first arrives, wearing sneakers and carrying her belongings in a supermarket trolley, Manley is taken aback, but as she seems so eager to please, he decides to employ her. The relationship between the pair progresses rapidly from initial reserve to active hatred. Annie is an eccentric oddball. She insults her employer, denigrates his writing, admits she forged her references,
accuses him of lusting after her and in general, makes his life hell. What follows is a series of fast-paced scenes, some in the present, some in the past culminating in an unexpected conclusion.

ROLES

Manley Carstairs
Male, 40 – 55 years old, cultured English accent required.
Annie Dankworth
Female, 40 – 55 years old, Southern English/London/Cockney accent required.

Further character descriptions are deliberately not provided, as it is expected auditionees will have
read the script in full and will provide their own interpretation at audition.

AUDITION DETAILS

DATES: Sunday 19th January between 2pm- 6pm and Monday 20th January between 7.30pm-10pm

LOCATION: 1812 Theatre, 3 Rose Street, Upper Ferntree Gully

Auditions are by appointment only. Please contact the Director, Keith Hutton to register your
interest and book an audition on Tel 0430 032 332 or e-mail: [email protected]

Audition pieces will be provided ahead of auditions. There is no requirement to learn your
audition pieces, but it will be expected that you have read the entire play and display a good
familiarity and understanding of your role.

A rehearsal schedule will be provided at the audition, however as a guide, all rehearsals will occur
at 2pm Sunday and 7.30pm Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1812 Theatre. An initial read-through for the cast will occur at 1812 Theatre on Sunday 2 nd February at 2pm. First rehearsal will occur on or about Tuesday 18th March (TBA)

Auditions are obviously being held well in advance of the first rehearsal (approx. 8 weeks). This is designed to allow sufficient time for successful auditionees to be well on the way to having their lines down prior to the first rehearsal, although scripts will remain in hand during the blocking process.

PERFORMANCE DATES

Thursday 22nd May – Opening Night 8pm
Matinees: May 25th June 1st , 8 th – 2pm

Please ensure you would be available for all performances before auditioning. If you have a conflict with any of the rehearsal dates, please advise the Director at audition and wherever possible we can work around it.