COMMUNICATING DOORS by Alan Ayckbourn
Theydon Bois Village Hall 4-6 June 2020
AUDITIONS – Wednesday 15 January 2020 – 8pm
Communicating Doors is one of Mr Ayckbourn’s more unusual plays – a murder mystery with a time-travelling theme! Poopay, a nice young sex worker, goes to the Regal Hotel to cheer up an ageing businessman. Unexpectedly, instead of the usual professional requirements, he actually wants to confess to her that his business partner murdered both his wives, and he was complicit in the crimes! Finding herself in danger, she leaps into a cupboard – only to find it takes her back 20 years to the same hotel – where she meets the second of the two murdered wives, Ruella. Between them, can they save both Ruella’s life, and that of the first wife, Jessica – and can they tackle the frightening yet suave character of Julian, the murderer? Come along and find out!
This is an incredibly fast-moving, exciting play, with lots of twists and turns. Four of the six characters have to age up (or down) by 20/30 years during the course of the play, so ages below are JUST GUIDELINES (do not be put off) – and as there is not much time for make up changes, I’ll be looking for those characters to be able to ‘act’ the required age, rather than really be it.
CHARACTERS:
REECE a well-to-do businessman, playing 30 and 70. Well spoken, but in the first scene, very frail and in poor health. Much livelier later in the play when he ages down.
JULIAN his business associate, playing 45 and 55. Very posh, slightly effeminate and charming, but increasingly sinister as the play goes on.
HAROLD the house detective, playing 35 and 55. In his older incarnation, he’s seen it all before, very world weary. Earlier, a bit more eager to please and professional.
JESSICA first wife playing 25 and 45. Glamorous, aristocratic, used to the finer things in life. A bit fluffy in the first part – very sophisticated later on.
RUELLA second wife – playing around 45 (does not change age). Charming, resourceful, humourous
POOPAY (later Phoebe) a cheerful, down to earth prostitute playing around 33 (does not change age). For most of the play, needs a really very strong cockney accent, then in the final scene needs to switch instantly to RP.
Please note that, though I will be attempting to rehearse on Tues and Thurs, I do have some work commitments to get around, so you may find the odd Weds creeping in instead.
Please note also that ONLY PAID UP MEMBERS MAY AUDITION
For any other information, or to get a script, please call Tee on 07976 122774, or email tgreener@britishlegion.org.uk