Auditions

EGTG at EdFringe’24

Table read: 19:00 Wed 3 Apr
Elm Theatre, The Nucleus Building
University of Edinburgh King’s Buildings Campus
Thomas Bayes Rd, Edinburgh EH9 3FG

Audition: 19:00 Wed 17 Apr
EGTG Rehearsal Rooms, 18 Buccleuch Place EH8 9LN

Performances: 19:00 A Singular Deception | 21:00 The Ruffian on the Stair
Mon 5 – Sat 10 Aug; The Royal Scots Club, Abercromby Place EH3 6QE

Register your interest here – this isn’t mandatory, but helps us when organising the audition day.

Plot

A Singular Deception by Hilary Spiers

The astonishing true story of Dr James Barry, a pioneering doctor for nearly 50 years who rose to the highest medical rank of the British Army. But what secret is the swashbuckling surgeon concealing? An Edinburgh graduate, shocking flirt, skilled duellist and equestrian, social and medical reformer who transformed the treatment of sexual diseases, leprosy and mental illness, Barry was the first European to carry out a Caesarean where both mother and child survived. Barry and faithful manservant Black John bring this extraordinary tale to vivid life. Compelling new writing about a shamefully forgotten nonpareil.

www.hilaryspiers.co.uk

---

The Ruffian on the Stair by Joe Orton

Mike and his van work odd hours for irregular contracts; Joyce has given up her profession for a home. Into their lives comes Wilson, a cocky young man seeking help in exacting a violent and idiosyncratic revenge. Orton was known for his scandalous black comedies and in this, one of his earliest plays, the themes of sex, violence and death are shown playing themselves out in the everyday lives of Mike and Joyce and in Wilson, whose love for and loss of the man he calls his brother provides the catalyst for the disruption that unfolds.

Characters

A Singular Deception 1F | 1M

Dr James Barry (F, playing teens to 65) slight build, petite

Black John, (M, playing 20s – 60s) from the global majority, ideally of African Caribbean heritage

Both actors will be required to play multiple characters with a range of accents. If you would like to know more about the parts or the play please contact us.

---

The Ruffian on the Stair 1F | 2M

Joyce (30+) Lives with Mike. Longs for stable domesticity but misses adventure. Thinks Mike no longer feels a ‘spark’ for her. Goes along with Mike most of the time but not clear how much she understands of his life outside their flat. Proud of her appearance, flirty and in the end practical and clear headed. A survivor.

Mike (50+) Lives with Joyce. A bit bored but highly jealous and fearful of losing her. Hates being on his own. Fastidious and neat. Outwardly placid and in control. Sexually ambivalent and probably doesn’t like himself for feeling that way. Perhaps doesn’t like homosexuals, in general. Probably a fan of Farage.

Wilson (early 20s late teens) grief stricken at the accidental death/murder of his ‘brother’. Or lover. Volatile and borderline psychotic. A charmer and hustler who is manipulative. The puppeteer in charge of the strings with one aim in mind – to die and be buried with his dead ‘brother’.

Additional production crew:
We are always interested in hearing from you if you are interested in backstage production roles. If you’d like to discuss backstage opportunities, please contact us.

Reading and Auditions

A reading of both plays is scheduled on Wednesday 3 April at 19:00. Auditions will then be held at 19:00 on Wednesday 17 April. Auditions will be held at 18 Buccleuch Place, 1st floor in the Graduate Association offices.

You can register your interest here – this isn’t mandatory but is helpful in organising the audition day. There is no need to prepare anything in advance of the audition.

If you cannot make the audition date and wish to audition, please contact us prior to the audition date to arrange an alternative date.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals for The Ruffian on the Stair will begin in May and will be held initially twice a week. A Singular Deception will begin rehearsing in June with rehearsals three times a week.

The rehearsal schedule will be developed to accommodate any unavailability listed on the audition forms. Rehearsals will be held at 18 Buccleuch Place, 1st floor in the Graduate Association offices.

All cast members are required to be an EGTG Member for insurance purposes. Membership fees are £25 and is valid for 12 months. If you are already a member, there is no additional cost for participating in this show whether or not you have been involved with a show this year.