Mercury Theatre Wynnum
PLAYING BY THE BAY SINCE 1949
Announcing Mercury Theatre's next production
AUDITIONS
Mother and Son
by Geoffrey Atherden
Auditions will be held at
6.30pm – 8.30pm on
Monday, 27 February and
Wednesday, 1 March 2023,
at the
Manly-Lota RSL Hall,
184 Melville Terrace, Manly.
To register for an audition please complete the
Audition Form (pages 4 and 5 of the Audition pack)
including your name, mobile number, and the role/s you’d like to be considered for and email to:
About this Production
In 2018 Mother and Son, By Geoffrev Atherden, was voted as the *best Australian television program ever. (*Poll by New Daily)
The series centred on the relationship between Maggie (first played by Ruth Cracknell), who is becoming more than a little forgetful, and her middle-aged son Arthur (Garry McDonald) who moves in with her when his father dies. He has never been able to leave.
This play, which is a new work written for recent times, is based on Arthur’s intent to go on vacation with his girlfriend. His brother, Robert, is a 'man of leisure' who is adept at providing excuses
as to why it is Arthur who cannot go on vacation and not leave him to stay to take the primary care of their elderly mother. Robert and Maggie hilariously make it hard for Arthur to have a life of his own.
The series delighted audiences because it reflected real-life situations and it maintained the dignity of Maggie, whose cunning saw her win in most episodes.
About Mercury
Mercury Theatre Wynnum was founded by local identity, Win Davson, producing its first play, ‘Milestones’ by Arnold Bennett-Edward Knoblock at the Star Theatre, Wynnum Central on 7 July 1949. Win wrote that she began Mercury “to foster an appreciation and love of a great art whose field is the whole of human life with its laughter and tears, sorrow and tragedy”. The name was inspired by a London theatre of the same name. Mercury Youth Theatre was founded in April 1957 by Lois Lenihan and Daphne Raymond and continued to provide performance opportunities for local children for many years.
Mercury Theatre is a community-based (amateur) company governed and managed completely by volunteers. We rehearse at both the Wynnum Community Centre, Wynnum and the Manly-Lota RSL Hall, Manly. Performances will be held at the Manly-Lota RSL Hall, Queensland.
To participate in the show, you must be a member of Mercury Theatre Wynnum Inc. Successful cast members and crew will pay a Mercury Theatre Wynnum Inc
membership fee of $10 per person
Director
Ric Medlin
Ric is a long-term member of Mercury Theatre having joined the youth theatre as a child. Ric has been an integral part of our theatre as an active member, actor, director, committee member and participating in all roles within the theatre over the years. Ric has directed several plays with Mercury, most recently “It’s My Party…and I’ll Die If I Want To” and also with Mt Cotton Drama Group where he Directed “The Oppostie Sex”. Ric has extensive experience with all aspects of the theatre and was awarded Life Membership in 2021.
Requirements for characters:
Listed stage ages are preferred, but are open to the discretion of the artistic team. Depending on the character, you may wish to be considered to be cast in multiple parts.
Characters
Maggie Beare, mother - 65+
Arthur Beare, Maggie’s son - 35+
Robert Beare, Maggie’s son - 35+
Liz Beare, Robert’s wife - 30+
Audition Format
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Please prepare one monologue of your choice, preferably comedic, with the intention to demonstrate your ability and proficiency to play different personalities.
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You may be asked to perform a cold read of the script.
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Please bring a colour headshot (minimum size 10cm X 15cm) printed at a KMart kiosk or on your home printer is sufficient. Please note, this is non-returnable.
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Please bring your audition form, completed in full, and ensure you list ALL clashes with the show calendar.
Notification of Offer:
ALL auditionees will receive notification of the outcome of their audition by either email or phone call within a week of auditions.
IMPORTANT DATES, TIMES AND VENUES
Rehearsals
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If you are successful in receiving an offer for a role, you are expected to be available for all performances.
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You are likewise expected to be available for all rehearsals scheduled however, life happens, so please list any conflicts with rehearsal dates on your audition form.
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Updated rehearsal schedules may be released periodically throughout the rehearsal process.
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Rehearsals will commence on Monday, 6 March at the Manly-Lota RSL Hall, 184 Melville Tce, Manly and thereafter each Wednesday and Monday starting at 7.00pm promptly.
Performances
All performances will be at the Manly-Lota RSL Hall, 184 Melville Terrace, Manly.
Friday, 12 May and Saturday 13 May @ 7:30pm;
Sunday 14 May @ 2:00pm;
Friday, 19 May @ 7:30pm;
Saturday, 20 May at 7.30pm.
To register for an audition please complete the Audition Form (pages 4 and 5 of the Audition pack) including your name, mobile number, and the role/s you’d like to be considered for and email to:
Ric at mercurywynnum@gmail.com or call 0413 303 463
Do you know someone who would be interested in performing or being involved with the production in some other way, let them know!
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