About the production
Tobacco Factory Theatres are casting for their upcoming Christmas show Oliver Twist, directed by Heidi Vaughan (Tobacco Factory Theatres’ Artistic Director and CEO).
We are aiming to primarily cast the production with local actors via open call and invited auditions. Please only apply to this open call if you are within 25 miles of Bristol. We will extend our search if we do not successfully cast all our actors from the local area. If you are not local but interested in applying please keep an eye on our social media for casting updates.
This is a professional production with a weekly wage of £550 plus holiday pay, plus overtime. You will be working under an ITC contract.
Production dates:
Rehearsals: Monday 30 October – Friday 24 November 2023, 10 am – 6 pm, Brislington, Bristol
Technical Rehearsals: Monday 27 November – Friday 1 December 2023, Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol
Preview Performances: Friday 1 December – Tuesday 5 December 2023 (5 total performances), Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol
Press Performances: Wednesday 6 December 2023, Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol
Performances: Thursday 7 December 2023– Sunday 21 January 2024, Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol
Role descriptions:
Please note that we are open to seeing actors of any playing age for these roles but you must be 18+.
- Oliver Twist
A child (housing all the wonderous qualities of a child) who is forced to suffer at the hands of various parties who do not see their worth and wish to exploit them. As they grow they witness the ugliest parts of life and grow stronger and less naive as a result. Finding their own voice and through this a sense of belonging.
The character of Oliver Twist can be female or male and the role is open to actors of any gender identity.
- Fagin (& other roles)
An outsider, a criminal, a survivor with a damaged moral compass, and an ‘honest’ thief. Living excluded from everyday society, she has created her own dysfunctional society/family, contained and controlled. Calculated, charismatic, enticing, intelligent, selfish, manipulative.
The character of Fagin in this production is female, and we are looking for a female-identifying actor for the role.
- Nancy (& other roles)
Borne from hard times, deprived of a good upbringing, yet still able to know how children need love to grow healthily. A petty thief. A good person in a cruel world. Dies trying to attain for Oliver what she never had herself: a good home and a true family.
The character of Nancy is female, and we are looking for a female-identifying actor for the role.
- Dodger/Rose (& other roles)
Dodger is Fagin’s right-hand; an opportunist and experienced thief. Quick-witted, sharp and intuitive. They have a make-the-most-of-what-you’ve-got attitude to life, the glass is always half-full. They believe that if they do what they think is right, it’ll all turn out all right in the end.
Rose is Brownlow’s ward and is similar to the Oliver we see at the end of the story. Wealthy yet tainted by difficult history. She is wise; connecting to Nancy and Oliver, housing integrity and justice.
The character of Dodger/Rose can be female or male and the role is open to actors of any gender identity.
- Bill Sykes (& other roles)
A selfish bully, brute and violent rogue; aware of his cruelty and unable to find change. He cannot understand or control his emotions. He acts as though he has been dealt an unfair hand in life and will do anything he can to reverse his fortunes, anything: rob, hurt, force, even kill.
The character of Bill Sykes is male, and we are looking for a male-identifying actor for the role.
- Brownlow (& other roles)
A wealthy man, with a social conscience, well aware that his wealth is built on the shoulders of the poor. He feels he owes his time and money back to those who need it. Oliver presents him with an opportunity to do good, but his moral compass – like Fagin’s – is easily switched when his prejudices are confirmed. He is ultimately a lonely man, an island, looking for a purpose in life: in Oliver, he sees a way of remedying his malaise.
The character of Brownlow is male, and we are looking for a male-identifying actor for the role.
Audition Process:
If you are shortlisted for auditions you will be invited to a workshop audition on either the 11th or 12th September at Tobacco Factory Theatres.
The workshop auditions will involve movement, singing and script work. You will not be expected to prepare anything in advance and there will be space for you to warm up before the audition.
If you are invited for a callback audition these will take place on the 13th of September, also at Tobacco Factory Theatres.
Workshop Auditions – 11th September at Tobacco Factory Theatres
Workshop Auditions – 12th September at Tobacco Factory Theatres
Call-back Auditions – 13th September at Tobacco Factory Theatres
Equal Opportunities
Our vision is to build an inclusive creative community rooted in our home in South Bristol.
We want everyone who attends Tobacco Factory Theatres to feel equally welcome, respected and valued.
Whilst we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, we encourage applications from people whose identities or backgrounds are under-represented in our organisation, especially those who face barriers to opportunities, people from working class backgrounds, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, and particularly people from Black, Asian, traveller, mixed heritage or other global majority backgrounds.
Please feel free to contact Sian (details below) for an informal conversation regarding any access requirements related to the role or application process.
How to apply
If you have read through the dates and role description carefully and are interested in applying please email your acting CV, a recent clear photo and contact details to sian@tobaccofactorytheatres.com by 9am, Mon 14 August with the subject line OPEN CALL AUDITIONS: Name of the role(s) you’re applying for.
If you have already expressed an interest in being considered for casting please resend your expression of interest with the required subject line, so we know which role(s) you want to audition for. There will be at least two people reviewing your application.
We will be seeing in the region of 100 local actors over these two days of audition. It is highly likely that we will not be able to accommodate all applications. Should you be unsuccessful with the initial invitation please note this is no reflection on you or your talent, and it will not stand in the way of us seeing you for future opportunities.
Should we wish to take your application further, we will be in touch.
Posted on 04 August 2023
