Dead Souls
By Nikolai Gogol, Adapted by Dan Rebellato
Directed by Hannah Bradley Croall
Auditions: 19:00 Wed 22 Jul & 17:00 Sun 26 July
EGTG Rehearsal Rooms, 18 Buccleuch Place EH8 9LN
Performances: 19:00 Tue 03 – Fri 06 Nov 2026
Piaonodrome @ St Oswalds, Bruntsfield
Plot
Chichikov is a man with a plan. If he can persuade landowners to transfer to him ownership of all the serfs who have died since the last census, he will look on paper like a very wealthy man. As he journeys from estate to estate, encountering an increasingly eccentric cast of characters, his greed and ambition grow – but so too do the suspicions of those he meets.
Dan Rebellato’s adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s novel was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 as part of its Classic Serial series, and starred Mark Heap and Michael Palin as Chichikov and the Narrator.
While Gogol never completed his seminal satire, Rebellato has embellished and restructured the story to create a complete two part drama that emphasises the picaresque nature of the tale.
Cast
Chichikov (male): The central protagonist. A charming, urbane, yet deeply cunning con man who travels across the Russian countryside.
Narrator (any): A highly subjective, sometimes omniscient voice, providing a cynical commentary of the story.
Ensemble (4M | 2F | 1 Any)
Manilov (male) A simplistic man who is easily flattered.
Nozdryov (male) A bully – think lad culture cum finance bro. He is not well-liked and has a bad reputation.
Tentetnikov (male) The tortured poet. Sentimental and overly obsessed with how others view him.
Selifan (any) Chichikov’s carriage driver. Straight forward and down to earth.
Korobochka (female) A recent widow. A lonely older lady who will use her feminine wiles to sell her wares.
Plus various other characters over the course of the play.
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.
Auditions
Auditions will be held on Wednesday 22 July from 19:00 until 22:00 and again on Sunday 26 July from 17:00 until 20:00 in our rehearsal rooms at 18 Buccleuch Place, 1st floor in the Graduate Association offices.
You only need to attend one audition session and registration is not required. There is no need to prepare anything for 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 will start in September and will be held 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 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 already recently taken part in a show.