Thank you for your interest in auditioning for. A Christmas Carol The Musical Based on the Novel by Charles Dickens

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Lambert Wilkinson
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5 th January 2013 CELEBRATING THE 200 th BIRTHDAY OF CHARLES DICKENS with Direction and Choreography by Polly King and Musical Direction by

1 Thank you for your interest in auditioning for A Christmas Carol The Musical Based on the Novel by Charles Dickens Music by ALAN MENKEN Lyrics by LYNN AHRENS Book by MIKE OCKRENT and LYNN AHRENS Presented by Josef Weinberger and Music Theatre International 29 th December th January 2013 CELEBRATING THE 200 th BIRTHDAY OF CHARLES DICKENS with Direction and Choreography by Polly King and Musical Direction by Steven Bean This pack contains all the information about the show, characters and auditions. Please book your audition via gtgchristmascarol@gmail.com

2 ABOUT THE SHOW This is a traditional, vibrant, atmospheric musical extravaganza set in two acts based on the classic novel by Charles Dickens. For many around the world, Christmas isn t Christmas without a trip to the theatre to cheer a hero, boo and hiss a villain and come out feeling thoroughly entertained. Pantomime should be magical, funny, thrilling and transport you to places in your imagination. This production may not be a traditional pantomime, it does not require the audience to interact with any mention of it s behind you (oh no it doesn t), but it does have all of these elements enabling the audience to be transported to Dickensian London with the tale of past, present and future as a reminder to us all of the true meaning of Christmas spirit. This story is a well loved tale of a penny-pinching miser and the awakening of his long forgotten festive spirit. It is a perfect way to get you through the Christmas period and into the New Year with a wonderful Christmas message It s never too late to change. THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION ran for ten years at Madison Square Gardens with dances by famed choreographer Susan Stroman, flying ghosts and a magnificent set which recreated the streets, graveyards, homes and buildings of London. In 2004, this version became the basis of an NBC Hallmark Entertainment special featuring Kelsey Grammer as Scrooge. The Menken/Ahrens score is filled with beautiful melodies and emotional lyrics. [more information about this the show is available at MTIShows.com] LIGHTING Eddie King SOUND Mike Wheeler SM Chris Morley COSTUMES Carol Gallacher PROPS Heather Furlong THE PRODUCTION TEAM DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER Polly King MUSICAL DIRECTOR Steven Bean PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR Jenny Mayor To book an audition slot, please request an audition pack via gtgchristmascarol@gmail.com and fill in the audition form or contact Polly on /

3 SYNOPSIS [taken from the MTIShows website and abridged slightly!] A Christmas Carol is a story we all know and love, now set to music overflowing with Christmas feelings to carry in our hearts all year long. The musical opens at the Royal Exchange with carollers and bankers awaiting the early close of the Exchange so the holiday can officially start. They wish each other A Jolly Good Time when we see Mr. Smythe and his daughter looking for Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge enters with his clerk Bob Cratchit and it is the first time we hear him utter his famous line that Christmas is a Humbug!. Scrooge returns home from the Exchange having been told about Tiny Tim by Cratchit singing Nothing To Do With Me (his general feeling towards charity). We travel to Cratchit s home where Bob Cratchit and his son, Tiny Tim, set off to buy the markings of their meagre Christmas feast. They sing You Mean More To Me. Meanwhile Scrooge meets his nephew Fred who invites him to Christmas dinner. Scrooge s harsh treatment of his fellow Londoners (a sandwich board man, a blind hag and a lamplighter all of whom we meet later as the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet To Be) is the beginning of his journey home where he has a vision of his business partner, Jacob Marley. Later, in his parlor, the Ghosts of Marley, bound in chains, conjures up ghosts of his business associates who try to scare Scrooge in Link By Link. Marley tells Scrooge he will be visited by three ghosts. As the clock chimes increase we see the ghosts Christmas Past (The Lights of Long Ago) who shows Scrooge scenes from his past (A Place Called Home and Fezziwig s Annual Christmas Ball), Christmas Present (Abundance and Charity) who presents Scrooge with a lavish array of Christmas treats which come to life before whisking Scrooge off to Bob Cratchit s house where the family enjoyes their Christmas Together. The ghost shows Scrooge a number of other images of need fragile Tiny Tim, Ignorance and Want and as Scrooge begs to know what he can do to change the future, the clock strikes three and we are transported to the graveyard by the ominous Ghosts of Christmas Yet To Be. We see the gravediggers (Dancing On Your Grave) where a corpse has been unceremoniously dumped. Scrooge does not know who the deceased is. We see the Cratchit family grieving over the grave of Tiny Tim and finally we see a gravestone with the name Scrooge written on it. Scrooge understands that he will die unmourned and vows to change his ways (Yesterday, Tomorrow and Today). We finish on Christmas morning and Scrooge sings Let It All Have To Do With Me whilst dancing through the streets and handing out charity. There is opportunity to go into the audience and give out treats. He visits the Cratchits house with a prize turkey and also his nephew s house. It starts to snow and everyone sings a reprise of Christmas Together. The musical ends with the song God Bless Us Every One.

4 Cast CHARACTER INFORMATION There is a large named cast with potential for a large ensemble. It is necessary to have some children in the cast and it is a great show for family audiences as well as actors. The music is beautiful, the show is tightly constructed, and there are many opportunities for many people to shine in small roles. There is a need for a strong solo male to take the role of Scrooge who needs to be able to sing and act dance ability is a bonus! The ensemble will be inclusive throughout the show as various characters as detailed below. There is also a need for some specialist dancers. An all singing, all dancing ensemble with a minimum of 8 children required. There are no specific talents needed for any of the roles other than a willingness to take part and give their all. The named roles are as follows: MALE ROLES FEMALE ROLES A Beadle / Creditor 2 x Charwomen 3 x Charity Men 2 x Grannies Mr. Smythe Grace Smythe (child) Scrooge Mrs. Mops the housekeeper Bob Cratchit Mrs. Cratchit Tiny Tim (child) Martha Cratchit Poulterer Old Joe Fred Anderson Sally Anderson Ghosts of Christmas Present (Sandwich Ghost of Christmas Past (Lamplighter) board man) Marley Ghost of Christmas Future (Blind hag) Judge Pantomime girl Scrooge at 8 years (child) Scrooge at 12 years (child) Fan at 10 years (child) Scrooge s Father Scrooge s Mother Mr. Hawkins Fezziwig Mrs. Fezziwig Young Ebenezer (approx 18 years) Emily Young Marley The ensemble will take the roles of: Scrooge s double, 2 undertakers, Carol Singers, Bankers, Street Vendors, Sailors, Jailers, Factory Workers, Fezziwig Party-goers, Clerks, Creditors, Monks The dancers will take the roles of: Marley s Four Acolytes, 4 abundance and charity elves, Ghosts, Fezziwig partygoers, dancing girls, The children will be: Carol Singers, Members of the Cratchit family, Chorus of Child Angels

5 PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS MALE LEADS Most of the men are bari-tenors, heading up to the E or F, but not higher, with the exception of Fezziwig, but this can be altered to suit a lower voice. SCROOGE: Strong actor needed. Needs a strong Eb and the ability to play bitterly angry, fearful and boyishly delighted. This is the one character that very rarely leaves the stage. The actor needs to be confident with stage craft, line learning and performance. It is vital that this actor is available at attend all of the rehearsals. BOB CRATCHIT: Not vocally challenging, but Cratchi needs to be a sympathetic actor who can cower beside Scrooge and still play the family patriarch. GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT: Big character who needs to be jovial and move well. Vaudeville style song that goes up GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST: to an E. Can be male or female. A puckish, lighthearted and whimsical character. JACOB MARLEY: A comic actor, but should be able to be genuinely scary too. Negotiate a G above staff in the song. MR. FEZZIWIG: A jolly, good natured boss. Written for a high tenor. Song and dance number. FRED ANDERSON: Scrooge s nephew. Should be sympathetic and kind. Small singing role. FEMALE LEADS There are a small number of female principal roles, all varied. GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST: can be a male or female. A puckish, light-hearted and whimsical character. GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE: Strong belt required. Should be able to move a little. Not a big part, but an important one! Cockney accent. SCROOGE S MOTHER: Loving, sympathetic character. Singing briefly up to the C above middle C. MRS. MOPS: Scrooge s housekeeper, should be able to play older, and sass Scrooge a little bit. Would also be a member of the ensemble. MRS. FEZZIWIG: Should be an imposing personality, with a big voice. Strong high Ab preferable. Song and dance number. MRS. CRATCHIT: Maternal character. Small singing role. EMILY: Look age appropriate next to young Scrooge. Pretty and sweet with a high singing voice (G above staff)

6 SUPPORTING ROLES The supporting roles are a good opportunity to sing/dance/act a small amount without needing a lot of experience. MALE SUPPORTING ROLES MR. SMYTHE: A small role in the opening sequence and would then join the ensemble. SCROOGE S FATHER: Non-singing part. Needs to be able to convincingly deliver a stern warning, which drives Scrooge s moneymania YOUNG EBENEZER: The young romantic lead. Needs to sing an F# above middle C. YOUNG MARLEY: Needs to sing an F# above middle C FEMALE SUPPORTING ROLES MRS. SMYTHE: Scripted as a man in the opening scene, this could be played by a female with a few line changes. Would join the ensemble. SALLY ANDERSON Small singing role with a short scene

7 ENSEMBLE There is scope for ensemble members to play a number of roles in the dance numbers. CAROLERS (Male and female) BEADLE (Male) CHARITY MEN (Male x 3) Very basic 4 part harmony. Casting as few as 4 singers in total or 4 men/4 women as long as the parts are balanced. Small singing role. Ensemble member. Singers required for tricky close harmony. DANCERS Specifically required for the Vaudeville style number, but also necessary in Marley s Ghosts and the Gravediggers dance JUDGE/Mr. Hawkins/Old Joe/Poulterer/Bankers/Clerks/Creditors/Undertakers Abundance Elves/Charwomen/Factory Workers/Fezziwig Party goers CHILDREN The children (aged 16 and under at the time of the performance). You will need to fill in licence applications to take part in the production. TINY TIM 8-12 Needs to be small enough for people to carry. Small singing role. GRACE SMYTHE 5 10 Small singing role. Her song is the major theme of the show. YOUNG SCROOGE 8 10 Non-speaking, non-singing YOUNG SCROOGE Delivers a monologue with small singing Part FAN Scrooge s sister. Small singing role. JONATHON Small singing role with a small scene. Cheeky character! MARTHA CRATCHIT Small character role Members of the Cratchit family (2 girls, 2 boys will double as Grace/Jonathon/Young Scrooge)

8 IMPORTANT DATES Auditions: Rehearsals: Sunday 17 th June from 10am (group workshop) Individual auditions from 11.30am Monday and Wednesday evening from 3 rd September (7.45pm 10.30pm) Sundays from 11 th November (2 6pm) I hope to have the last rehearsal on Wednesday 19 th December, but the Band Call may be held on Sunday 23 rd. I will endeavour to let you know dates a.s.a.p so that Christmas plans may not be interrupted!! Theatre get-in Technical rehearsal Dress rehearsal Thursday 27 th December Friday 28 th December from 6pm no children required Saturday 29 th December from 1pm Team 1 children Saturday 29 th December from 5pm Team 2 children Performances you will be required from at least an hour before curtain up Sunday 30 th December 2.30pm / 7pm show Monday 31 st December 2.30pm show Tuesday 1 st January 2.30pm / 7pm show Wednesday 2 nd January 7.30pm show Thursday 3 rd January 7.30pm show Friday 4 th January 7.30pm show Saturday 5 th January 2.30pm / 7pm show Each team of children will have 5 performances each alternating between days.

VISUAL STORY FOR OUR PRODUCTION OF

VISUAL STORY FOR OUR PRODUCTION OF A CHRISTMAS CAROL Box Office: 01204 520661 www.octagonbolton.co.uk Page 1 CONTENTS Getting to the Octagon.3 About the Octagon Theatre building 4 Toilets 6 Chill Out and