Auditions for Harleston Players' autumn production 2019, Blue Stockings by Jessica Swale, will be at Jays Green Community Centre on Tuesday 28th May 7.30 -10pm, Sunday 2nd June 2-4pm and Tuesday 4th June 7.30 -10pm.
1896. Girton College, Cambridge, the first college in Britain to admit women. The Girton girls study ferociously and match their male peers grade for grade. Yet, when the men graduate, the women leave with nothing but the stigma of being a ‘blue stocking’ - an unnatural, educated women. They are denied degrees and go home unqualified and unmarriageable.
In Jessica Swale’s debut play, Blue Stockings, Tess Moffat and her fellow first years are determined to win the right to graduate. But little do they anticipate the hurdles in their way: the distractions of love, the cruelty of the class divide or the strength of the opposition, who will do anything to stop them. The play follows them over one tumultuous academic year, in their fight to change the future of education.
‘Love or knowledge: which would you chose?’
If you would like to get involved, come along to the auditions and find out more about the show. There are many parts in this play for actors of all ages – see the cast breakdown below.
Contact David Cumming for more information. davidcumming75@gmail.com. 07947 318297
Casting breakdown: Mixed gender cast of approximately 14-16 actors, including a number of multi-role parts.
FEMALE STUDENTS (Playing age 18-29) TESS/CELIA /CAROLYN/MAEVE - The four variable protagonists of the story.
MALE STUDENTS (Playing age 18-29) RALPH/LLOYD/HOLMES/EDWARDS/WILL – 2 ND year students at other colleges, who either support, come to understand or contest the presence of the new female students.
ACADEMICS & STAFF (These parts are likely to be doubled-up with smaller supporting roles)
ELIZABETH WELSH (40’s) Mistress of Girton College
MISS BLAKE (20’s-30’s) Lecturer at Girton & former student
MINNIE (20’s) Housemaid at Girton College
MISS BOTT (30’s-50’s) Chaperone to students at Girton
DR MAUDSLEY (early 50’s) A renowned psychiatrist with strong views on the differences between the sexes
MR BANKS (30-40’s) A forward-thinking and unconventional lecturer
PROFESSORS COLLINS, ANDERSON & RADLEIGH (40’s-60’s) Trinity College Professors with mixed opinions on education of women. They are all on the final examination board for the Girton students.
MR PECK: Gardener & maintenance man who the Girton girls have permanently wrapped around their little fingers
BILLY : Brother of MAEVE