Character Descriptions:
Note: Some roles will require stage kissing and stage fighting.
• William Gillette – Gender Neutral (30-50) – Good humored, full of irony and life. A dynamic and charming stage actor (based on a real person). Has made a fortune from their stage adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, whom they also play. Recently shot in the arm in a bizarre incident, Gillette is determined to bring their Sherlockian skills to bear on solving the case. Must have great comic chops.
• Martha Gillette – Female (mid 70s) - Gillette’s dotty mother, elegant though a bit foggy, somewhat vague and dithering Martha never shies away from a fight. Always willing to lob a criticism when necessary, all the same, Martha is loyal to Gillette and his gang of theatrical misfits. Must have great comic chops.
• Felix Geisel – Male (early 40s) – The company’s character actor, Felix is histrionic and arch. A true theatrical that has given his life to the stage, Felix is Gillette’s best friend and occasional sidekick. Married to Madge. Actor must have great comic chops and be physically strong.
• Madge Geisel – Female (early 40s) – Wry and outspoken (think Rosalind Russell), Madge, like her husband Felix, is a lifelong theatrical. Is game for anything, but back her into a corner and she will come out swinging. Must have great comic chops.
• Simon Bright – Male (about 25) – The handsome young man of the company, Simon is an enthusiastic man, eager to please and find success. Simon can occasionally be overly sensitive. Recently married to Aggie, they make a charming and wonderful couple.
• Aggie Wheeler – Female (about 25) – Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, Aggie is the ingénue of the company. Good-natured and kind, Aggie has had tragedy in her past, though she seems to have dealt with it well, and even moved on. Recently married to Simon, they make a charming and wonderful couple. Actress needs to have a dark side.
• Inspector Goring – Female (35 to 55) - English and eccentric, completely one of a kind. By turns, witty and incisive, suddenly lost and dim, she is disarming in her inability to be defined. Always off the mark, and yet never far from the truth, somehow she always gets her man. Wonderful opportunity for a character actress; must have great comic chops.
• Daria Chase – Female (30-45) - Glamorous and gorgeous, Daria is the theatre critic we all love to hate. Biting, snippy, and utterly charming, you can’t help but like Daria, despite the terrible things she says and writes. A wonderful sense of humor goes a long way towards endearing Daria to the audience. The actress must have wonderful comic timing and be a skilled physical comedian.
The Game’s Afoot
(Holmes for the Holidays)
By Ken Ludwig
About the show:
It is Christmas Eve, 1936. William Gillette, an actor famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast-members to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous. Then it’s up to Gillette himself, as he assumes the persona of his beloved Holmes, to track down the killer before the next victim appears. This glittering whodunit has murder, infidelity, wit, and surprises—something for everyone.
Performance Dates:
March 26, 27, 28 at 7pm
Audition Dates:
Tuesday, January 20th 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 21st 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Location:
Southington Community Theatre Hall
1237 Marion Ave. Southington, CT
Auditions:
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Please bring your calendar with all conflict dates from January 21st to March 28th. As always, SCT invites both experienced and new actors to audition and welcomes volunteers interested in production and back-stage positions.
If you have any questions, please contact us via email @ southingtoncommunitytheatre@gmail.com