auditions

Brontë

Polly Teale's Brontë is the story of Charlotte, Emily and Anne and their brother Branwell. It explores the claustrophobic environment and familial relationships which shaped the Brontë's well-known works, especially Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre.

Auditions

Auditions will take place 4 December from 6.30-8.30pm at the URC in Summertown (http://summertownurc.org). Please arrive at 6.30 and plan to stay for at least an hour. Recalls will be by invitation only 12 December.

All are welcome to audition; no parts have been pre-cast. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. There is no need to prepare anything. 

If you are unable to attend the audition, please contact us via our Facebook page (ThistledownTC) or by email (hello@thistledowntheatre.com). We are very happy to make arrangements to see you separately at another time in the weeks on either side of the audition date.

Rehearsals & Performances

Rehearsals will take place two-three times per week (Sunday-Wednesday) from January. There will likely be a read-through and photoshoot before Christmas. Please come to the auditions with an idea of your availability over this period.

Performances will take place in the Old Library of the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Oxford, 22nd-25th March and 29th-31st March and 1st April. 

Cast

Charlotte Brontë (20s-30s)
The strongest (and eventual survivor) of the trio of sisters. Author of Jane Eyre.

Emily Brontë (20s-30s)
Longs to be alone, free. Author of Wuthering Heights (and of another book, burned by Charlotte after Emily's death?)

Anne Brontë (20s-30s)
Dutiful; as the play begins she is returning from her latest post as a governess. Of the three, Anne is the most concerned with the changing political and economic situation in the wider world. Author of the Tenant of Wildfell Hall. 

Mrs Rochester/Bertha (20s-50s)
The maligned, mad wife of Jane Eyre and an extension of Charlotte's inner self. This is likely to be a very physical part.

Cathy (20s)
Heroine of Wuthering Heights and a figment of Emily's imagination throughout the play.

Branwell Brontë (20s-30s)
A dissolute and drunken failed writer. Envious of his sisters; sad about his own lack of success.

Patrick Brontë (late 40s-60s)
The patriarch; a minister. He outlasts his wife and all his children. 

Other parts to be played by the Company:
Arthur Huntingdon, Heathcliff, Arthur Bell Nicholls, Rochester, Mr. Heger (any age)