The Hero of Queenstown

With Kind Permission of Claire Austin
Performance dates 15th November – 8th December 2012

Auditions

Saturday 28 July @ 3.00pm
Monday 30 July @ 7.30 pm

ACTORS AND MUSICIANS REQUIRED
The time, 1860. The place, The St Andrews Hotel, Queenstown, Melbourne, Victoria. In tribute to local actor Reg Evans, ELT performs his melodramatic ensemble tribute to St. Andrews (formerly Queenstown). The Widow Mitten is to be evicted by her landlord, the Villain, Sir Gastric. The Hero wishes to marry the Widow’s daughter, but when the rich and ridiculous Englishman buys the Widow’s cottage, he has the deeds signed into her name, using his act of generosity as leverage in his bid for the ever popular Miss Phoebe.

The time, 1860. The place, The St Andrews Hotel, Queenstown, Melbourne, Victoria. In tribute to local actor Reg Evans, ELT performs his melodramatic ensemble tribute to St. Andrews (formerly Queenstown). The Widow Mitten is to be evicted by her landlord, the Villain, Sir Gastric. The Hero wishes to marry the Widow’s daughter, but when the rich and ridiculous Englishman buys the Widow’s cottage, he has the deeds signed into her name, using his act of generosity as leverage in his bid for the ever popular Miss Phoebe.

 

Actors/Characters
Chairman, Male, Any age, Lead
The narrator and guide to this melodramatic tale. Ensemble vocals only.

Widow Mitten, Female, 40s – 60s, Lead
Mother of Phoebe. A regular at the St Andrews Hotel. A woman who is unable to pay the rent and faces eviction – her landlord is the dishonorable Sir Gastric Crutchly. Lead vocals required.

Bella, Female, 30s – 40s, Lead
Strong, independent, with a heart of gold. Runs the destination of ill-repute known as “next door” and the St Andrews Hotel. Lead vocals required.

Sir Gastric Crutchly, 40s – 60s, Lead
The villain of the piece. Widow Mitten’s landlord. Wants his way with her daughter, the innocent Phoebe. Lead vocals required.

Charlie Sledge, 20s – 50s, Lead
Sir Gastric’s faithful sidekick (or is he?). One of the only people in the village that can count! Watch this space – this guy’s going places. Lead vocals required.

Montmorency Fitzgibbon-Smythe, 18 – 30s, Lead
The Hero. Will he save the day? Will he win over Sir Gastric? Lead vocals required.
Phoebe Mitten, Female, 18 – Mid 20s, Lead

The Heroine. The local schoolteacher, daughter of Widow Mitten. Lead vocals required.

Harry, Male, Any age, Supporting
A keen footballer and local at the St Andrews Hotel. Ensemble vocals only.

Dusty, Male, Any age, Supporting
A keen musician and local at the St Andrews Hotel. Ensemble vocals only.

Chantele, Female, Any age, Supporting
Works at the St Andrews Hotel. Wants to marry….just can’t find the right man. Irish accent required. Sings ensemble only.

Three Ladies of Ill-Repute/Three Ladies of the Church (Lorna, Kitty, Dolly)
Female, Any age, Supporting
In Act 1, they work at Bella’s place. In Act 2, they represent the church. Vocals required. Lorna sings a short solo.

Ensemble, Women x 2, Men x 3 (possibly musicians), any age
Locals at the St Andrews Hotel and residents of Queenstown.

Musicians
We are looking for musicians for this piece. It is planned that musicians will be ‘locals’ at the St Andrews Hotel and be on-stage or roving through the audience during musical numbers. If musicians also want to act this would be possible. If you play the following please contact us!
Blues harp
Accordion
Guitar
Piano
Whistle
Mouth organ
Violin
Percussion

Other information
Rehearsals will be held at Eltham Little Theatre rehearsal space from 10 August 2012. Rehearsals will be on Friday evenings 7pm – 10pm, Sunday evenings 4pm – 8pm. An additional music/choreography rehearsal will be held on Thursday evenings for those required. A full rehearsal schedule will be released prior to commencement of rehearsals.