This Christmas we turn the Factory Theatre into a giant adventure playground to tell the charmingly irreverent story of The Borrowers, based on the much loved novel by Mary Norton. Adapted for the stage by Bea Roberts, Directed by Nik Partridge, Designed by Rosanna Vize and Composed and Musically Directed by David Ridley.
As part of the first phase of casting for our Christmas Production, The Borrowers, we are looking for Bristol based professional male and female actors to fill the following roles. Please see below for specific skills required.
We welcome and actively encourage applications from BAME and disabled actors.
Please read the information below and send a headshot and CV/Spotlight link to productions@tobaccofactorytheatres.com by 10am on Thu 10 May.
Key Dates:
Auditions: Mon 21, Tue 22, Wed 23 & Fri 25 May (4 days)
Tue 29 May & Fri 01 June (2 days)
Rehearsals: Mon 29 October – Wed 28 November
Previews: Thu 29 November – Sun 02 December
Production Dates: Tue 04 December – Sun 13 January
Possible Extension Week: Tue 15 – Sun 20 January
Synopsis:
Below the floorboards of a large house in Bristol, we are plunged into the quirky, wonky, miniature world of young Arrietty and her family of Borrowers. Making use of everything and anything they find ‘upstairs,’ from cotton buds to crisp packets, string to Subutteo players, the Borrowers are the original up-cyclers.
However their quiet existence is torn apart by the arrival of a family of Human Beans and soon the quiet ticking of the grandfather clock is replaced by Hoovers, TVs and the sound of Tom Jones on the radio. Arrietty longs to see what life is like for the new family of giants and her friendship with the eight year old Eddie is the opportunity to do just that.
Character BIOS:
[ARRIETTY] [GENDER: FEMALE] [PLAYING AGE: 14]
Arrietty is a borrower. She is curious, timid but desperate to explore. A life spent under the floorboards means she is desperate to break out.
The performer must be physically strong. Aerial/physical work will be required.
Strong singer preferable.
West Country accent preferable.
Puppetry experience helpful.
[HOMILY] [GENDER: FEMALE] [PLAYING AGE: 30+]
Arrietty’s mother. Adult borrower; gutsy, strong willed, impulsive. Homily is the main borrower for the family and regularly goes out to explore the house. Often staying out longer than she is supposed to, she has a keen eye for anything new and will be sure to borrow it if she can. She is secretly fascinated by humans.
The performer must be physically strong. Aerial/physical work will be required.
Strong singer preferable.
West Country accent preferable.
Puppetry experience helpful.
[POD] [GENDER: MALE] [PLAYING AGE: 30+]
Arrietty’s father. Adult borrower; anxious, organised, uptight. Once a daredevil Borrower, a traumatic experience has left Pod timid and afraid. He worries constantly, obsessed over security and safety devices and is pretty much unable to leave the house. Pod has a technical expertise which means he is able to be very resourceful with what the Borrowers collect. He’s a dab hand at wiring a potato.
The performer must be physically strong. Aerial/physical work will be required.
Strong singer preferable.
West Country accent preferable.
Puppetry experience helpful.
[EDDIE] [GENDER: MALE] [PLAYING AGE: 50+]
Our narrator and band leader; cheeky, twinkly, warm. Eddie grew up with his Aunt, Mrs Driver, where he first came into contact with the Clock Borrower family as a ten year old boy. Ever since then, he’s been on the hunt to find more Borrowers. Some may call him a fantasist, but he absolutely and concretely believes in the existence of Borrowers and he’s here to prove it to you.
Actor/musician. Ability to play guitar and/or other instrumentation.
Strong singer a must.
Liverpudlian accent may be required.
[YOUNG EDDIE] [GENDER: MALE] [PLAYING AGE: 10]
Our ten year old Eddie, isolated, alone and far from home. Eddie is incredibly short sighted and loves reading comic books. Curious and eager to explore, he quickly makes friends with the Clock family and will do everything he can to help them.
Ensemble. Actor / musician. Ability to play a wide range of instrumentation.
Strong singer.
Puppetry skills preferable.
Liverpudlian accent may be required.
[MRS DRIVER] [GENDER: FEMALE] [PLAYING AGE: 30+]
Eddie’s aunt. Glamorous, mean, imperious. A clean freak, obsessive to the point of neurotic about keeping her house tidy and free from any trace of dust. She has taken on the care of Eddie and they have moved far away from their native Liverpool. Mrs Driver is mistrustful of anything that may threaten the cleanliness and order of her home.
Actor / musician. Ability to play a variety of instrumentation preferable.
Strong singer a must.
Puppetry experience helpful.
Liverpudlian accent may be required.
For more on The Borrowers at Tobacco Factory Theatres this Christmas visit our main show page.
Posted on 04 May 2018
