Oliver! Casting Call
Stage Experience announces Oliver! audition dates
Oliver! will be this summer’s Edinburgh Playhouse Stage Experience production. It will take place over July 2016 with auditions on the weekend of 12/13 March.
The phenomenally successful event allows up to 130 youngsters aged between 11 and 21 years old to create a new production of an existing musical with a professional artistic team and stage it at the Playhouse.
Direction will be from Peter Cory for the second year. A singer, producer and director he spent three years performing the role of Inspector Javert in Les Miserables (including during the record-breaking 1993 run at the Playhouse).
As with last year’s production of Into the Woods, Cory will again be assisted on musical direction by MD, composer and director Matthew Reeve, who has a whole string of productions under his belt.
The Stage Experience organisers have got special permission from Cameron Mackintosh to put on the production: Lional Bart’s musical adaptation of Dickens’ story of orphan boy Oliver Twist who suffers the consequences when he has the audacity to ask for more from the workhouse Matron and Beedle.
It’s packed to the brim with hits – from unabashed celebration of Food, Glorious Food to the jolly Consider Yourself as Oliver falls in with the Artful Dodger, and on to the sentimental Where is Love as he believes it is all lost.
all aspects of production
According to the Playhouse organisers: “The programme offers the youngsters the chance to audition for both stage roles and behind the scenes positions, no previous experience necessary.
Some of the cast of the 2015 Stage Experience production of Into the Woods – Photo Stephen Clinton
“Those chosen will take part in our three-week programme and learn all aspects of production from singing and dancing to lights, sound and costumes.
“The programme has developed the skills of many young people who have gone on to work in the industry but the emphasis for our participants is always on fun, working as a team and celebrating shared success.”
All applicants should be available for the full run of rehearsals, which start on Saturday July 2, 2016. The performance dates will be Thursday 21 to Saturday 23 July.
The first round of auditions will take place on Saturday 12 March at the Edinburgh Academy, with 11-15 years being seen from 10am-2pm and 16 to 21 years from 3-7pm. Call-backs will take place the following day, Sunday 13 March, at the Edinburgh Playhouse.
chaperones
Auditionees are advised to wear comfortable clothes, suitable for dancing. All audition pieces will be taught on the day so there is no need to prepare any songs. Refreshments will not be provided, so auditionees should bring their own snacks and water bottles.
The organisers are offering parents and guardians the opportunity to volunteer as chaperones during the process. In return for a week’s chaperoning, they will be offered a 25% discount on the full price of their child’s admission.
Full cost of the Stage Experience will be £360, including VAT. There are a number of full and part bursaries available.
A full application form and all further details, including further information about auditions for musicians and for Technical Stage Experience (aged 16-21 years), are available by e-mailing: edinburghcreative@theambassadors.com
Information and listings
Stage Experience Oliver! application form from: edinburghcreative@theambassadors.com
Oliver! First round auditions
The Edinburgh Academy, 42 Henderson Row, EH3 5BL
Saturday 12 March 2016
11—15 years: 10am to 2pm
16—21 years: 3pm to 7pm
Call-backs
Edinburgh Playhouse, Greenside Place, EH1 3AA
Sunday 13 March 2016
The Edinburgh Playhouse Stage Experience 2016
Edinburgh Playhouse, Greenside Place, EH1 3AA
Saturday 2 – Saturday 23 July, 2016.
Oliver!
Edinburgh Playhouse, Greenside Place, EH1 3AA
Thursday 21 – Saturday 23 July, 2016.
Evenings: 7.30pm. Matinee, Sat, 2.30pm.
Tickets and details from: http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/oliver-by-lionel-bart/edinburgh-playhouse/
Reviews of last year’s production of Into the Woods:
ENDS
