Australian Stage Jobs

An Ideal Husband
By Oscar Wilde
Directed by Timothy Bennett
Season: 29th October – 10th December 2011
Preview night 28th October
Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm
Sunday matinée at 4.30pm

READING: 7.15pm Wednesday 20th July 2011, Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, Sydney
All welcome to attend even if you are not interested in auditioning.

AUDITIONS (by appointment)
: Saturday 30th July 2011 from 9.30am at Theatre
: Sunday 31st July 2011 from 10.00am at Theatre
: Tuesday 2nd August 2011 from 6.30pm at Theatre

REHEARSALS: Will commence mid-August, 2011 (2 nights per week & 1 day each weekend. In the last fortnight rehearsals will be more intensive)

SYNOPSIS
The career and marriage of Sir Robert Chiltern, a successful, wealthy Government minister, are threatened when blackmailed by the calculating Mrs Cheveley who has damning evidence of a past corrupt misdeed. Sir Robert is worshipped by his wife who sees him as perfect and the “ideal husband” but learns that nobody is perfect. Chiltern seeks the support of his good friend Goring to resolve his dangerous dilemma. The play sparkles with Wilde’s timeless wit delivered by a variety of characters.

CAST REQUIRED*

(As the Genesian Theatre is a non-professional company participation is on an unpaid basis)

Sir Robert Chiltern (early 40’s): earnest, wealthy, rising politician, passion for power, devoted to his wife; although principled he is haunted by a past indiscretion in his ambitious youth

Lady Gertrude Chiltern (late 20’s/30’s): sincere, virtuous, intelligent, moralistic, attractive, sheltered, pitiless in her worship of perfection and goodness

Lord Arthur Goring (mid 30’s): clever, intelligent, flawless dandy, tolerant, pretends not to take life seriously but is a genuine caring friend; excels at witty repartee

Mrs Laura Cheveley (late 20’s/30’s): striking, worldly, calculating, strong, flamboyant, venomous, clever and witty

Lord Caversham (late 50’s+): upright, direct, proud, respected, constantly exasperated by his son, Goring and life

Miss Mabel Chiltern (early 20’s): attractive and spirited, charming, intelligent, witty

Lady Markby (60’s+): talkative, well liked, wealthy, traditional dowager; slightly eccentric

Lady Olivia Basildon (early 30’s+): decorative, fickle, frivolous and affected

Mrs Margaret Marchmont (early 30’s+): decorative, fickle, frivolous and affected

Vicomte De Nanjac (mid 30’s+): French attaché who has lack of skill with the English language, frivolous and comical

Mr Montford (mid 30’s+): secretary to Chiltern, well groomed social dandy

Duchess of Maryborough (elderly): non-speaking role

Phipps (50’s+): Goring’s butler, discreet, impassive, subtle, the ideal butler

Mason (30’s+): Chiltern’s butler, efficient, loyal

James: Chiltern’s Footman

Harold: Goring’s Footman

Possibility of doubling smaller male roles de Nanjac, Mason, Montford, Phipps, James, Harold

*Ages are a guide only. Can be flexible with ages if parity,suitable balance can be maintained across cast.

CREW
Would most welcome inquiries from those who are interested in being part of the backstage crew: stage management, lighting and sound operators, assistant stage manager

For further information and booking audition time please contact Timothy Bennett, (02) 9560 1588, Mobile 0439 645 433 or email: husband@genesiantheatre.com.au