CARDIFF OPEN AIR THEATRE FESTIVAL 2017 Sophia Gardens Cathedral Road Cardiff CF11 9SQ

AUDITION NOTICE

Book: Music: , Eric Idle, Lyrics: Eric Idle

Director : Richard Tunley Musical Director : Rob Thorne Jnr.

Monty Python aficionado? Fan of classic musicals? Always up for a good laugh? Then this is YOUR show.

The uproariously witty spoof of and his knights’ quest for the boasts a high- kicking knights’ chorus line, killer rabbits, and a knight who continues duelling even after losing his arms and legs. All the hilarities of and the Holy Grail are even funnier set to the rollicking music of the Round Table Knights and the mysterious, definitively diva . The original Broadway show won three Tony’s including Best Musical, and the original album won the 2006 Grammy for Best Musical Show Album.

Monty Python's is a musical comedy adapted from the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Like the film, it is a highly irreverent parody of the Arthurian Legend, but it differs from the film in many ways.

Eric Idle, explained the title in a February 2004 press release: I like the title Spamalot a lot. We tested it with audiences on my recent US tour and they liked it as much as I did, which is gratifying. After all, they are the ones who will be paying Broadway prices to see the show. It comes from a line in the movie which goes: "we eat ham, and jam, and a lot."

As a full-scale musical, the show is a wonderful mix of Python, dance and song. The follows the screenplay faithfully with iconic scenes included and given a theatrical twist, the music is eclectic ranging from comedy songs to high level and the scope for dance and musical staging is also.

The show is fun, perfect for ensemble and a terrific choice for the 2017 festival.

Spamalot - 2017 Character Breakdown

Name Gender Age Vocal Description King Arthur Male Late Strong The King of England who sets out on a 30s-60s Baritone quest to form the Knights of the Could be a Roundtable and find the Holy Grail. character Strong comedy. Strong singer. singer Sir Robin the Not- Male 30s-40s Baritone A Knight of the Roundtable. Ironically quite-so-brave-as- called ‘Sir Robin the Brave,’ though he Sir-, couldn’t be more cowardly. Joins the who slew the Knights for the singing and dancing. vicious Chicken of Also plays GUARD 1 and BROTHER Bristol and who MAYNARD, a long-winded monk. personally wet himself at the Battle of Badon Hill The homicidally Male 30s Baritone A Knight of the Roundtable. He is brave Sir Lancelot fearless to a bloody fault but through a twist of fate, discovers his gay side.’ This actor MUST be great with character voices and accents, as he also plays THE FRENCH TAUNTER, an arrogant, condescending, over-the- top Frenchman, the KNIGHT OF NI, an absurd, cartoonish leader of a peculiar group of Knights, and TIM THE ENCHANTER, a ghostly being with a Scottish accent. The dashingly Male 30s Strong A Knight of the Roundtable. Begins as handsome Sir Bari-Tenor Dennis, a lower class ‘mud gatherer’ Dennis who becomes Knighted and transforms into the dashing Sir Galahad. Also plays PRINCE HERBERT’S FATHER, a wealthy, brutish Yorkshireman man at odds with his sensitive son, THE BLACK KNIGHT who is always ready to duel despite multiple injuries. Strong bari- tenor singing required. The strangely Male 20s-40s Baritone A Knight of the Roundtable. An inept flatulent Sir scholar. Also plays DENNIS Bedevere GALAHAD’S MOTHER, a shrill peasant woman, and CONCORDE, Sir Lancelot’s horse. Strong singing but - No solo singing. The Lady of the Female Alto – strong A Diva. Strong, beautiful, possesses Lake belt; mystical powers. The leading lady of Strong the show. Great singing voice is singing essential, as she must be able to sing ability. effortlessly in many styles and vocal registers.

Spamalot - 2017 Male Baritone - King Arthur’s horse and servant. character Underappreciated but always longing for King Arthur’s approval. Good, funny, physical mover with some tap dancing. Also plays MAYOR, a jolly red-faced man who advertises the merits of his home town and the drunken, useless GUARD 2. The Historian Male 20s-30s High Tenor Tenor singer required. Very good PLAYS MANY mover. HISTORIAN: A tweedy ROLES academic. NOT DEAD FRED: A sickly little fellow who, despite others’ beliefs, claims he is “not yet dead.” FRENCH GUARD: The condemnatory French sidekick to the French Taunter. MINSTREL: In Sir Robin’s band. PRINCE HERBERT: The hopeful and frilly prince who loves to sing and pines for his love atop a tower. Male Ensemble 1 Male 20s-30s Strong Will also play Singing Sir Not-appearing-in-this-show Dance preferred – tap? Male Ensemble 2 “ “ “ Male Ensemble 3 “ “ “ Male Ensemble 4 “ “ “ Male Ensemble 5 “ “ “ Male Ensmeble 6 “ “ “ Female Ensemble Female 20s Strong Laker Girls 1 Singing Chorus Dance Spamalot Maidens preferred – tap? Female Ensemble “ “ “ 2 Female Ensemble “ “ “ 3 Female Ensemble “ “ “ 4 Female Ensemble “ “ “ 5 Female Ensemble “ “ “ 6

Rehearsal days and times – to be confirmed.

Spamalot - 2017 Director’s Note

Find your grail……

Giving our audiences and performers the chance of a lifetime to experience one of the greatest Broadway musicals of the modern age… we present the Tony Award Winning Best Musical, SPAMALOT!

Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL, SPAMALOT retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and features a bevy of beautiful show girls, not to mention cows, killer rabbits, and . Did we mention the bevy of beautiful show girls?

We are looking for an ensemble of players that excel in lead roles and smaller character parts. The intention is to create a world of characters that are not restricted to appearing only in the scenes they are actually in.

You must be a strong singer if you intend to audition for any of the singing roles. There will be opportunity for casting if you are a competent singer and can offer other strengths such as acting, energy, physical skills.

ALL actors will need to sing and move well.

A note about rehearsals: You need to be there! I can always work around scheduled unavailability. You will not be called to rehearsals unless it is my intention to work with you during that session. My rehearsals are always focused, fun and we get lots done! If you don’t attend I will leave you a voicemail stating:

I fart in your general direction! Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!

I am very much looking forward to this production and I look forward to seeing you at auditions.

Richard Tunley

The Director – Rich Tunley

Rich trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and is no stranger to outdoor theatre. Spamalot marks his twelfth production for the summer Festival. He also directed Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, Comedy of Errors and Tickledom at Dyffryn Gardens.

Richard has many productions to his credit. Some of his favourites being: Les Miserables: Student Edition, having directed its European premiere for Sir Cameron Mackintosh as part of the inaugural Cardiff International Festival of Musical Theatre; and the brand new musical comedy Come Fly With Me for its world premiere at the Wales Millennium Centre. Rich was a creative on a new adaptation of Ivor Novello’s The Dancing Years – a workshop performance produced by the Wales Millennium Centre; and he is currently associate director on Tiger Bay for Wales Millennium Centre and Capetown Opera.

In 2008 Richard formed Black RAT Productions. Now in its eighth year, the has an impressive body of professional work including A Zoo Story, Oedipus, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo & Juliet. The company has also produced successful tours of Bouncers with Mike Doyle, Up ’n’ Under: The Welsh Tour - a collaboration with John Godber, Tim Firth’s Neville’s Island, the classic French farce - Boeing Boeing, Ayckbourn’s comedy Bedroom Farce and the hit West End comedy thriller The 39 Steps to theatres throughout Wales. Black RAT is also responsible for the successful Christmas season at The Gate Arts Centre in Cardiff with shows such as The Wind in the Willows, Pinocchio, Alice, Aladdin, Puss in Boots and Snow White.

Spamalot - 2017 Locally, Richard has also directed for Orbit Theatre Company at The New Theatre with shows including: Wizard of Oz, Showboat, High School Musical, Peter Pan, Dr Doolittle, Beauty & The Beast, , and the Welsh premieres of Witches of Eastwick and .

He has directed panto for Imagine theatres and OMTC and Richard writes and directs pantomime for RCT Theatres, now in its seventh successful year. He also directs for Simply Theatre Productions in Geneva having directed Oliver, Barnum and Oh, What a Lovely War!

The Musical Director – Rob Thorne Jnr.

This is Rob’s third year as MD on the festival having taken the reigns for Sweet Charity and . Rob was born in Cardiff and educated at Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, University of Wales and gained a vocal scholarship to The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Rob has worked in almost every aspect of theatre from design, direction, musical direction and performance and recently played Jake in the UK/Ireland tour of Showboat with Capetown Opera Company in partnership with Wales Millennium Centre.

Professional credits include: York Family Robinson, Humpty Dumpty, Dick Turpin, Sinbad the Sailor, Cinderella, Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, Mother Goose, Babes in the Wood and two productions of Jack and the Beanstalk; York Theatre Royal. Some of his work on their legendary pantomimes is now part of the Victoria and Albert museum theatre archive. Treasure Island; Glasgow Pavilion [with comedian Brendan O’Carroll]; Aladdin, Jack and the Beanstalk and Cinderella for QDOS Entertainment and two productions of Cinderella at Malvern and Sunderland Empire for UK Productions. Everybody Loves Me; Criterion Theatre [Mercury Musicals]. Barnum; Rep. Return to the Forbidden Planet; Birmingham Old Rep. Club Tropicana, The Hot Mikado, Good News! and the revival of Peggy Sue Got Married; ARTSED . Feather Boy with new songs by Don Black; Brighton Market Hall.

Touring and regional theatre includes: Joseph, Fame and . Rob is Artistic Director of Orbit Theatre, another of Cardiff’s long standing theatrical companies.

The Auditions

Before auditioning, please take a moment to consider the necessary level of commitment. Take careful note of the rehearsal period and be honest about your availability within it. Although the rehearsal process takes place over a number of weeks, consistent and punctual attendance is essential as we will be operating within a very tight schedule. A high level of unavailability, persistent lateness and/or no-show will regrettably result in your being asked to leave the production.

• The auditions will be held on these dates: Tuesday 7th February Media Point 5pm-10pm Thursday 9th February The Pottery 5pm-10pm Monday 13th February Everyman Clubroom 5pm-10pm Thursday 16th February The Pottery 5pm-10pm (re-calls)

Spamalot - 2017 • If you would like to audition but cannot attend on any of these days, please let us know as soon as possible.

• Please arrive 15mins before your audition slot and bring with you your completed audition form with photograph attached. Spare audition forms will be available on the day.

• When booking an audition slot, please refer to the character breakdown.

• Prepare a song from any musical play of your choice. Please bring sheet music with you. You may, of course, choose a song from Spamalot but you should still bring sheet music in case there is a difference in the key you have selected and the score. You will be discouraged from singing unaccompanied. If you wish to use a backing track – please let us know beforehand.

• You will also be asked to read scenes from the piece.

• Not being recalled does not necessarily mean you are not being considered for a role.

• Please note that attendance at the Festival Company Meeting on Sunday 7th May, 2pm is expected for all cast.

To reserve your place at the audition, please email: [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you!

Everyman Theatre Cardiff Ltd.

Audition Form for Please put a Spamalot [2017] [current] photo To book your audition time please of yourself here! Joanna Wakelin - email: [email protected]

Please write clearly and don’t forget to bring this form, complete with photograph, to your audition!

Name…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………..

Date of audition……………………………………………………...... Time…………………… …………….....

Spamalot - 2017 Address………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………..

Postcode……………………………………Email address…………………………………………………………………………

Tel.no [home]…………………………………………….. [work/mobile] ……………………………………………………………

Age………………………………….. Height………………………………………………

ANY SPECIAL SKILLS – eg, dancing, singing, juggling, musical instrument playing, etc……………………………………... …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......

Don’t keep secrets! Please state any and all commitments [family/work/holidays/other shows etc] that may clash with the rehearsal period!

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……. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE [continue overleaf if necessary] ……………………………………………………………………….

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Role(s) you are to auditioning for…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Song selected for audition……………………………………………………………………………………………………… …...

Would you be prepared to accept other roles including ENSEMBLE? – yes/no

Are you already a member of Everyman Theatre? yes/no PLEASE NOTE – everyone cast must become an Everyman member. PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE NOTES:

Not cast/recalled/cast as…………………………………..……………………………………..written acceptance rec’d yes/no

Spamalot - 2017