This autumn, Harleston Players will be performing a joyous adaptation of My Family and Other Animals, Gerald Durrell’s funny and enchanting childhood memoir, directed by Cathy Edwards-Gill.
There are lots of parts available, for all ages. Some will be needed all the time (the family), but there are many colourful smaller roles, so there may well be doubling. There will be music, possibly some dancing, and definitely the chance to work with some wonderful puppets, from tortoises, scorpions and water snakes to dogs, magpies and even a donkey.
Everyone is welcome! The auditions will be very relaxed, so please come along, and I hope to see you there. See below for a full list of characters.
Auditions will take place at Jays Green Community Hall on Monday 23rd and Thursday 26th May 7.30 – 10pm and Sunday 29th May 2.30 – 5pm.
REHEARSALS : Mondays and Thursdays from August 15th, plus 4 Sundays.
PERFORMANCES: 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29th October 2022
For any further information please contact Cathy Edwards-Gill, at cannonballgirl@rocketmail.com or on 07957 277129.
STORY:
It is 1935, and the wonderfully eccentric Durrell family – four siblings, their widowed mother and Roger the dog - arrive on the sun-soaked shores of Corfu to start a new life. For eleven year-old Gerry it is the perfect playground, and its exotic fauna inspires a lifelong fascination with the animal kingdom. Add into the mix his eccentric family and a colourful cast of Greek peasants, hapless tutors, lugubrious servants, pretentious artists, and romantic suitors, and the scene is set for a production that will sparkle with life and fun.
CAST:
GERALD DURRELL, Gerry’s older self, narrates throughout the play. In his 30s, but could be played older, looking back on his life on Corfu. Gentle, funny, warm, expressive.
GERALD (GERRY), in 1936 aged about 11. Gerry is on stage almost all the time, as the story is seen through his eyes. Passionate about animals and wildlife, not very interested in education!
MOTHER - 45 or up. Rather vague, eccentric, capable, very likeable. Keen on cookery. Put-upon by Larry, sometimes stands up to him.
LARRY – the oldest brother. A hilarious part! Pompous, verbose and ridiculous. 20s, though could be played by an actor in their 30s.
LESLIE – the middle brother. Quieter. Obsessed with guns. Infuriated by Larry, builds Gerry a hopeless but wonderful boat. Late teens or early twenties
MARGO – About 17, but could be early twenties. Blossoms in the Greek sunshine! Loves sunbathing, swimming and diets. Rather melodramatic, and often uses the wrong words, very earnestly.
ROGER THE DOG – Gerry’s loyal dog who goes everywhere with him. Could be played by a small, agile and comic actor, or possibly by a puppet.
The following characters are smaller parts, and can be doubled
CAB DRIVER, male
CUSTOMS OFFICIAL
HOTEL MANAGER
DIMITRI, a TAXI DRIVER
HELPFUL YOUTHS
SPIRO – Greek. The Durrell’s wonderful, burly, argumentative, loyal guardian angel. Important role. Any age.
AGATHI – an elderly Greek peasant lady – sings in Greek! (Don’t panic!)
YANI – a wise shepherd, married to AGATHI. Teaches Gerry about scorpions, and the island
SOPHIA – their daughter. Non- speaking. Is later employed to carry a puppy on a cushion.
THE ROSE-BEETLE MAN - a wandering peddler, any age, doesn’t speak, but mysterious
GEORGE – a tutor, practices dancing and fencing while trying and failing to teach Gerry
TARKAN – An insufferably pompous Turk, suitor of Margo. Takes her (and Mother) to the cinema. 30s?
LUGARETZIA – a miserable hypochondriac servant who comes with the house. Loves discussing her ailments in gruesome detail. Gloriously self-pitying. A lovely small comic role. 40s up.
JONQUIL – an artist. Friend of Larry. Pretentious and grumpy
DURANT – an artist. Friend of Larry. Pretentious and tragic.
MICHAEL – an artist. Friend of Larry. Pretentious and prone to allergies.
PETER – the new tutor “A handsome young man, fresh from Oxford”. Falls for Margo.
KRALEVSKY – a new tutor. Late 50s up. Lives in a house filled with birds.
MRS KRALEVSKY – his ancient mother. Long red hair, “a ravaged queen in a court of flowers”.
KOSTI – a convict. Gives Gerry the huge seagull.
Plus, of course, the all-important animals, which will be played by puppets, operated by the cast. These include :
DONKEY, ACHILLES THE TORTOISE (alive and dead), QUASIMODO THE PIGEON, WIDDLE and PUKE (two dogs), the MAGENPIES, DODO the dachshund, Dodo’s PUPPY, two WATER SNAKES, ALECKO THE GULL. Possibly ROGER THE DOG.