Auditions - The Real Inspector Hound
The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard
Director: Paul Asher
Scheduled for: February 22nd - 26th 2022 at 7.30 pm. Running time approx. 70 minutes.
Auditions: Tuesday, November 2nd, 7.30pm
If you are interested in auditioning, contact [email protected] . . . but you could just turn up at 7.30pm on the 2nd!
Please let the Director know if you can’t make the date and we’ll arrange a separate date/ time.
The play forms the first part of a two one-act play evening. Moyra will be directing ‘The Second Best Bed’ for the second half of the evening.
The play
The RIH is generally thought of as one of Stoppard’s funniest as well as being very enjoyable to play. The play-within-the-play is set in “Lady Muldoon’s country residence one morning in early spring”. During the play, the two theatre critics discuss things they may write about this typical whodunit, but they are often sidetracked by their soliloquies, Moon’s concerning his professional jealousy of Higgs and Birdboot’s concerning his newly found “love”, the actress playing Cynthia.
Characters
Please note that although the character of
Inspector Hound is referred to as ‘he’ in the play I am open to the part being played by a female actor.
Critics*
Moon – a second-string theatre critic, called to the production to review it in the absence of Higgs, another critic. Playing age, 40+
Birdboot – a theatre critic and a womaniser, who catapults young actresses to stardom by delivering dazzling reviews in return, we assume, for sexual favours. Married to Myrtle, he is having an affair with the actress who plays Felicity in the play within the play. Playing age, 30+
Play-within-a-play characters
Mrs Drudge – The maid, or char, of Muldoon Manor. Cockney accent. Playing age, 50+
Simon Gascoyne – New to the neighbourhood, Simon has had affairs with both Felicity and Cynthia. Later in the play, Birdboot assumes the role of Simon Gascoyne, and vice versa. Playing age 30+/-
Felicity Cunningham – A beautiful, innocent, young friend of Cynthia’s who has had an affair with Simon and Birdboot. She is seemingly sweet and charming but soon seeks ruthless revenge. Playing age 25+
Cynthia Muldoon – Apparent widow of Lord Albert Muldoon who disappeared ten years ago. Sophisticated and beautiful. She has had an affair with Simon. Playing age 40+/-
Major Magnus Muldoon – Lord Albert Muldoon’s crippled half-brother who just arrived from Canada. Has a desire for his late brother’s widow, Cynthia. Takes an instant dislike to Simon, as they are both in love with Cynthia. Playing age 40+
Inspector Hound – Appears from outside the house in the middle of the play to investigate an alleged phone call. Moon assumes this role near the end of the play, and vice versa. Playing age. Anywhere from 40 ish to 60 ish.
* The following are referred to but do not appear:
Higgs – the senior critic, Moon is his stand-in.
Puckeridge – the third-string theatre critic, or Moon’s stand-in.
If you are interested in auditioning, contact [email protected] . . . but you could just turn up at 7.30pm on the 2nd!