OLIVER! Audition Information (CHILDREN)

Children's Auditions: Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 February 2013

PLEASE NOTE: This round of auditions is for CHILDREN ONLY. All adult roles have been cast.

 

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director / Choreographer / Production Designer: DAVID LAMPARD

Musical Director: PETER JOHNS

Production Manager: LUCY RUSSELL

Assistant Director: AMANDA ROWE

Lighting Designer: DANIEL BARBER

Sound Designer: MATT CURTIS

Projection Designer: MARK WICKETT

ABOUT “OUR OLIVER!”

You know the story. You know the characters. And, what’s more, you can probably hum most – if not all! – of the tunes.

Oliver! is a true crowd pleasing musical that has thrilled audiences around the world – on both professional and amateur stages – since 1960.

Like the work it is based on – Charles Dickens’ second novel Oliver Twist (or The Parish Boy’s Progress) – the musical mercilessly exposes and attacks the dark social underbelly of 1850’s(ish) London. In particular, the piece explores the cruel exploitation of children, from labourers in workhouses to their recruitment by criminals – where, in both cases, the spectre of death always hovered.

Dickens’ book practically hums with sarcasm, with larger than life characters tending towards purposeful stereotypes. Most of these intriguing characters can be found in the musical adaption, which retains much of the dark humour – and, most importantly, drama – of the original work.

This new production, helmed by the award-winning team of David Lampard (director and production designer) and Peter Johns (musical director), promises to be a spectacular event – musically, visually and emotionally.

Oliver! was revived in 1994 on the West End, with new music, lyrics and dialogue. Most significantly this production included expanded musical sequences for ‘Consider Yourself’ and ‘Who Will Buy?’. The 2013 G&S Society will be using this version – and will include these extended sequences, that take excellent advantage of a talented ensemble (both adults and children)!

Embracing his critically acclaimed dark directing style, Lampard is promising a ‘Gothic Victorian Burlesque’ – with melodrama and ‘music hall’ ideas pervading many aspects of the design and flow of the production. There will be an absolute focus on the notion of ‘exploitation in the Victorian era’ – with no shying away from the various violent and frightening aspects of the work.

That said, there will be many moments of light, love and good cheer!

As per the story, Oliver! will begin in a Dickensian era workhouse – in this case, a shell of decaying wooden beams, whitewashed windows, and vast swathes of battered cloth climbing the walls at the periphery. At the centre is an octagonal stage, the heart of the set, around which the various locations of the show will unfold and be built – a Victorian rotunda, a boxing ring, a circus tent, and, of course, much more familiar environs.

Many surprises await audiences (and cast) already familiar with the show. ‘Consider Yourself’ will include a ‘Punch and Judy’ sequence and ‘Who Will Buy?’ will see the appearance of that most vile exploitations of the Victorian era, a travelling ‘Freak Show’.

With a wide range of innocent, comedic, grotesque and frightening characters, Oliver! is a gift for both principals and ensembles…

We look forward to seeing you at auditions!

 

THE STORY

The following synopsis is from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver!)

Act I

The musical opens in the workhouse, as the half-starved orphan boys are entering the enormous lunchroom for dinner ("Food Glorious Food"). They are fed only gruel. Oliver gathers up the courage to ask for more. He is immediately apprehended and is told to gather his belongings by Mr. Bumble and the Widow Corney, the heartless and greedy caretakers of the workhouse ("Oliver!"). Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney are left alone, and Mr. Bumble begins to make amorous advances. Mrs. Corney pretends to resent his attentions ("I Shall Scream!"), but ends up on Mr. Bumble's lap. Oliver comes back and is sold ("Boy for Sale") and apprenticed to an undertaker, Mr. Sowerberry. He and his wife taunt Oliver and Mr. Bumble ("That's Your Funeral"). He is sent to sleep in the basement with the coffins ("Where is Love?").

The next morning Noah Claypole, another employee of Sowerberry, insults Oliver's dead mother, whereupon Oliver begins pummeling him. Mrs. Sowerberry and her daughter, Charlotte run in, and Mr. Bumble is sent for. He and the Sowerberrys lock Oliver in a coffin, but during all the commotion Oliver escapes. After a week on the run, he meets the Artful Dodger, who beckons Oliver to join him ("Consider Yourself"). Dodger is, unknown to Oliver, a boy pickpocket, and he invites Oliver to come and live in Fagin's lair. Fagin is a criminal, and he is in the business of teaching young boys to pick pockets. Oliver is completely unaware of any criminality, and believes that the boys make handkerchiefs rather than steal them. Oliver is introduced to Fagin and his boys, and is taught their ways ("You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two").

The next day, Oliver meets Nancy, the live-in girlfriend of the terrifying Bill Sikes, a burglar whose abuse she endures because she loves him. Nancy, along with her younger sister Bet and the boys, sing about how they don't mind a bit of danger ("It's a Fine Life"). Oliver bows deeply to Nancy and Bet, trying to be polite. All the boys laugh and mimic Oliver. Nancy singles out Dodger to demonstrate the way the rich people treat each other ("I'd Do Anything"). Nancy and Bet leave and Oliver is sent out with the other boys on his first pickpocketing job ("Be Back Soon"). Dodger, another boy named Charley Bates, and Oliver decide to stick together, and when Dodger and Charley rob Mr. Brownlow, a wealthy old man, they run off, leaving Oliver to be arrested for the crime ("The Robbery").

Act II

In the Three Cripples pub, Nancy sings an old tavern song ("Oom Pah Pah"). Bill Sikes makes his first appearance, and disperses the crowd ("My Name"). Dodger runs in and tells Fagin about Oliver's capture and removal to the Brownlow household. Fagin and Bill decide to kidnap Oliver to protect themselves. Nancy at first refuses to help, but Bill physically abuses her and forces her into obedience. In spite of this, Nancy still loves Bill, and believes he loves her too ("As Long As He Needs Me").

The next morning, at Mr. Brownlow's house in Bloomsbury, Mrs. Bedwin the housekeeper sings to Oliver ("Where Is Love? [Reprise]"), and Oliver wakes up. Mr. Brownlow and Dr. Grimwig discuss Oliver's condition. They decide that he is well enough to go outside, and so Brownlow sends Oliver to return some books to the library. Oliver sees a group of street vendors and joins them in song ("Who Will Buy?"). As the vendors leave, Nancy and Bill appear and grab Oliver. They bring him back to Fagin's den, where Nancy saves Oliver from a beating from Sykes after the boy tries to flee. Nancy remorsefully reviews their dreadful life, but Bill maintains that any living is better than none. Fagin tries to act as an intermediary ("It's A Fine Life [Reprise]"). Left alone, Fagin ponders his future ("Reviewing the Situation").

Back at the workhouse, Mr. Bumble and the Widow Corney, now unhappily married, meet the dying pauper Old Sally and another old lady, who tell them that Oliver's mother, Agnes, left a gold locket when she died in childbirth. Old Sally stole the locket, which she gives to the Widow Corney. Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney, realizing that Oliver may have wealthy relatives, visit Mr. Brownlow, hoping to profit from any reward given for information of him ("Oliver! [Reprise]"). He throws them out, but recognizes the picture inside the locket as a picture of his daughter, and realizes that Oliver is actually his grandson.

Nancy visits Brownlow and promises to deliver Oliver to him safely that night on London Bridge. She ponders again about Bill ("As Long As He Needs Me [Reprise]"). Suspecting that Nancy is up to something, Bill follows her as she sneaks Oliver out. At London Bridge, he confronts them, knocks Oliver unconscious, and clubs Nancy to death. He then grabs Oliver and runs off. Mr. Brownlow arrives and discovers Nancy's body. A large crowd forms, among them the distraught Bet. Bullseye, Bill's terrier, returns to the scene of the crime and the crowd prepares to follow him to the hideout. Fagin and his boys leave their hideout in panic. Not finding Bill at the hideout, the crowd returns to the Thames Embankment. Bill appears at the top of the bridge, holding Oliver as hostage and threatening to kill him. Two policemen sneak up on him. One of them shoots Bill and the other grabs Oliver. Oliver is reunited with Mr. Brownlow. The mob disperse offstage in order to track down Fagin. He appears and decides that the time has never looked better for him to straighten out his life

 

REHEARSAL & PRODUCTION DATES

PARENTS / CARERS PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

Rehearsals will begin Sunday April 7. Rehearsals will be called Monday (evening from 6.30pm OR 7.30pm), Thursday (evening from 6.30pm OR 7.30pm) and most Sundays (11am to 5pm).

Some additional children’s music rehearsals will also be called during the April school holidays.

A full rehearsal schedule will be available to look at during auditions.

Of course, no cast member will be called to all rehearsals BUT cast members will be expected to attend all rehearsals they are called to.

You will be asked to supply a list of ‘unavailable’ dates at your audition. An auditionee may be ineligible to join the cast if they will miss too many rehearsals.

Key Dates

Rehearsals begin: APRIL 7

Sitzprobe: Sat JULY 6

Full run with orchestra: Sun JULY 7

Technical call at theatre: JULY 16 (ALL DAY)

Dress rehearsals: JULY 16 & 17

Season: JULY 18 to 27

Performances:

Preview 18 July

Evening Performances 19, 20, 21 (early evening), 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 July

Matinees 20, 27 July

PLEASE NOTE: Tuesday 16 July will be an all day technical rehearsal at the theatre. It is expected that ALL CAST WILL BE REQUIRED AT THIS REHEARSAL.

AUDITION PROCESS

PARENTS / CARERS PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

• Auditions will be held on Saturday February 16 and Sunday February 17
• Auditions will be held at the G&S Shed – 3 George Street, Hindmarsh
• Call backs will be held on Sunday February 24 (also at the G&S Shed)
• The creative team are looking for strong actors, singers and movers (but not necessarily dancers!)
• Auditions will be programmed in one-hour time slots. You may or may not be required for the entire hour. Either way, please ensure that you are available for the entire hour.
• The auditions will be held in groups. As such, each auditionee will be expected to audition in front of others.
• All auditionees will be taught a section of music on the day (please do not prepare a song)
• All auditionees will be taught a section of dance on the day (please do not prepare a dance)
• Some auditionees will be asked to attend a call back for the roles of Dodger, Oliver, Charley, Nipper, Charlotte and Bet – the audition process for these roles will be advised later

To book an audition:

CALL: 7007 1600 or 0419 808 466

EMAIL: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

NOTES

All positions in the cast will include some ‘dance’, and there will be a movement component to the audition. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear to your audition.

 

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR…

We are seeking to cast both boys and girls in ensemble roles PLUS a number of children and young adults in principal roles. Please note all age requirements in all sections below (particularly for ‘Dodger’ and ‘Bet’…).

 

It is expected that all children auditionees will be excellent listeners with an ability to focus and be kind and courteous to others.

BOYS ENSEMBLE:

• We are looking for approximately 40 boys (double cast).
• All boys must have unchanged voices.
• AGED: 7 to 14*
• *Older boys should ‘look younger’!
• All boys should have good voices and strong movement skills (acrobatic and other skills are a plus!).
• All boys will take part in the Workhouse sequence at the top of the show.
• Some boys will also be chosen to be part of ‘Fagin’s gang’.
• Some boys (not in Fagin’s Gang) will also be chosen to take part in ‘Consider Yourself’ and ‘Who Will Buy’ (as well as small appearances at other times).

 

GIRLS ENSEMBLE:

• We are looking for approximately 12 girls (double cast) to take part in ‘Consider Yourself’ and ‘Who Will Buy’ (as well as small appearances at other times).
• AGED: 12 to 16
• All girls should have good voices and strong movement skills (acrobatic and other skills are a plus!).
• At this stage we will NOT be including any girls in the opening Workhouse sequence (this decision may change during the audition process).
• A few girls MAY (or MAY NOT) be included in Fagin’s gang…

 

We are also looking to fill the following principal roles…

 

BOYS

DODGER

Stage age: 12 – 18

Vocal range: A to Eb

Requirements: Strong singer / actor / dancer

Description: The precocious, street-smart leader of Fagin's band of thieves. He should be small for his age, extremely savvy, with a wicked sense of humor. Must be a strong singer/ actor/ mover with an ear for dialects.

PLEASE NOTE:

We MAY cast a boy with a changed voice for this role… Please speak to the person taking your audition booking if you or your child fits in this category.

 

OLIVER

Stage age: 9 - 12

Vocal range: C to F#

Requirements: Strong singer / actor / mover

Description: Sweet, innocent with a beautiful singing voice and good movement skills.

 

CHARLEY

Stage age: 9 - 12

Requirements: Strong singer / actor / mover

Description: He is one of Fagin's more skilled thieves. This is a small feature role that will come from the boy's ensemble.

 

NIPPER

Stage age: 9 - 12

Requirements: Strong singer / actor / mover

Description: He is one of Fagin's thieves. He is very small! This is a small feature role that will come from the boy's ensemble.

 

GIRLS

BET

Stage age: 12 - 18

Vocal Range: Ab to B

Requirements: Strong singer / actor / mover

Description: Street-smart girl who idolizes Nancy and associates with Fagin and his band of thieves.

 

CHARLOTTE

Stage age: Teens

Requirements: Strong actor

Description: The ‘sluttish’ young daughter of Mr and Mrs Sowerberry. Charlotte and Noah are ‘romantically’ involved.

PLEASE NOTE: This is an acting role (non-singing). But, the girl playing this role will also take part in the ensemble.