Jeeves and Wooster Audition Notice

Auditions

Based on the works
of P.G. Wodehouse

Adapted by the
Goodale Brothers

Directed by
Syd Mannion

Dolphin Theatre
12 Spring Street
Onehunga

Audition Date
22nd May 2016 1:30

Production dates: 5th – 20th August 2016

Synopsis
Join two of the 20th century’s most loved characters, the
effervescent - but intellectually challenged - young aristocrat Bertie
Wooster and his unflappable valet Jeeves, in an evening of genial
jollity.

When a perfectly delightful country weekend takes a turn for the
worse, Wooster turns matchmaker to rescue the engagement of his
host's drippy daughter Madeline to his newt-fancying friend Gussie.
If Bertie, assisted by the ever-inventive Jeeves, can't pull off the
wedding of the season he'll be forced to abandon his own cherished
bachelorhood and marry the ghastly girl himself!

Perfect Nonsense is an ensemble piece for three male actors who
take on a total of twelve roles.

It is also a very technically challenging production and requires the
perfect melding and co-operation of actors and backstage crew.

I am therefore also looking for a dedicated backstage crew to
commit to this exciting production.

Character Descriptions

There are three male leads two of whom have the rare theatrical
opportunity to display their versatility (and virtuosity) playing
multiple roles both male and female. Ages are flexible.

Be prepared for some very quick costume changes.

BERTIE WOOSTER
Affable, affluent aristocrat Bertie is a naive optimist who always
aims to please and is often called upon by relatives and friends to
help them out of sticky situations. Straightforward everyday events
can confuse him.

JEEVES
Wooster's ever dependable valet. He is the arbiter of taste and
decorum plus a bit of a whiz when it comes to getting Wooster out
of socially awkward and legally precarious situations. Jeeves
rarely smiles but he is not humourless. Beneath that inscrutable
exterior lies an intellect that fully understands the concept of irony
and which quietly ensures he always comes out on top.

Jeeves also plays
Watkyn Bassett
Gussie Fink-Nottle
Madeline Bassett
Stephanie Byng

SEPPINGS
Described as “doleful as a whipped dog, his gait is one of teetering
exhaustion” Seppings is the long suffering butler to Bertie’s Aunt
Dahlia and whom Jeeves recruits because of his not inconsiderable
talent for impersonation, of which, despite his feigned modesty,
Seppings is secretly proud.

Seppings also plays
Aunt Dahlia
Jewellery Shop Proprietor
Roderick Spode
Butterfield
Constable Oates

Additional characters played by Seppings

AUNT DAHLIA
One of the many aunts who are the bane of Bertie’s life. She bullies
and manipulates him and always expects to get her own way no
matter how outrageous the demands. Bertie tells us that “She
spoke as usual as if she was shouting across ploughed fields in a
high wind.”

JEWELLERY SHOP PROPRIETOR
The type of Londoner who pronounces “Hallmark” wivart-an-‘aitch.
i.e. ‘allmark. He speaks like a working class person trying to sound
posher than he really is. Think Parker, Lady Penelope’s chauffeur in
“Thunderbirds”.

RODERICK SPODE
This character is based on the infamous Oswald Mosley, a British
fascist from the early 20th century. Spode is a dictator-in-waiting, a
bully and fierce, monocled thug with a robust voice that is used to
addressing large political rallies - even when he’s taking tea in a
drawing room. Yet he hides a surprising secret.

BUTTERFIELD
Butterfield is yet another butler, who shares, with all the other
butlers, a smug sense of self importance and a barely hidden
disdain for the people they serve. He deliberately riles Bertie by
being excruciatingly obsequious and unctuous.

CONSTABLE OATES
Constable Oates is not a very bright policeman; in fact he is of the
stupid, pedantic type. He demands respect but doesn't get it. He is
fawning to the upper classes and a bully to the lower. Speaks with a
West Country burr.

Additional characters played by Jeeves

WATKYN BASSETT
A fuddy duddy judge with old-fashioned ideas. Easily outraged and
offended. Very likely to convict someone on the way they look or
what he thinks they might do rather than on the evidence before
him. Officious and pedantic.

GUSSIE FINK-NOTTLE
Naive in the ways of the world Gussie is essentially a little boy in a
man's body. He speaks with a lisp and has very poor eyesight. He is
fascinated by newts, failing to understand everyone else's lack of
enthusiasm.

MADELINE BASSET
Lives in a fairy tale world of romance. She is described by Bertie as
“A droopy, soupy, sentimental exhibit, with melting eyes and a
cooing voice.” She cannot pronounce her “r”s which adds to her
drippiness.

STEPHANIE BYNG
Selfish, calculating and only out for number one. She is about as
subtle and empathetic as a cat is with a mouse. She makes no
secret of her machinations and frequently advises her victims of her
evil intent just to increase their discomfort and ensure she gets her
own way.

Rehearsals: Tues & Thurs 7:30pm – 10.00pm & Sun 7:00pm – 9:30pm (TBC)
For scripts phone: Syd 521 6336 / 027 493 1668 [email protected]