Conn Artists Theatre CompanyWe are the associate theatre company of the Connaught Theatre supported by Worthing Theatres since 2013.We create live theatre that really engages its audiences; good stories that resonate with timeless, universal themes about the human condition which are relevant and have a genuine social impact for today’s society; often a reimagining or adaptation of a classic or neglected work.In 2019, we mounted a regional tour of George Eliot’s Silas Marner adapted by Geoffrey Beevers. Supported by Arts Council England and The George Elliot Fellowship in the writer’s bicentenary year the production was highly praised as the company’s best work to date by the reviewer from Theatre South East and gained 5 star and 4 star reviews from The Argus, Remote Goat and The Stage. Integral to this tour was the engagement with GCSE students, the homeless and refugees through workshops and outreach sessions.In 2017 we toured an adaptation of Hilaire Belloc’s book The Four Men adapted by local playwright Ann Feloy and directed by former Artistic Director of the Connaught Theatre, Nick Young. Supported by and working in partnership with the South Downs National Park Authority and Worthing Museum, the show was a huge hit with regional audiences receiving 5 star and 4 star reviews in The Argus, The Stage, The Sussex Newspaper and Theatre South East.Prior to this, we produced four successful productions in the Connaught Theatre and Studio including the UK premiere of ‘Courage’ by John Pielmeier and an ACE funded revival of Neil Simon’s ‘The Good Doctor’.Production ProjectConn Artists Theatre Company presentJ.M. Barrie’sMARY ROSEDirected by Nick Young DatesThe play will rehearse for approximately 10 days from mid-late February 2022 (dates tbc) before opening at the Connaught Theatre, Worthing on Thursday 3rd March 2022 and then go on a regional tour to a mixture of both mid-scale theatres and small-scale arts centres for approximately 33 dates finishing at The Torch Theatre, Milford Haven on Saturday 30th April 2022 with a week off for Easter.About the playAn old Sussex manor house, standing empty and for sale, is haunted by the ghost of a young woman who once lived there.37 years earlier, a 12 year old girl by the name of Mary Rose went missing on a small island in the Outer Hebrides whilst on holiday with her parents. After a month, she mysteriously returned unaware that she had been away for any length of time.Years later, Mary Rose, her new baby son and young husband return to the same island, where she disappears for a second time.After the passage of 23 years, when her family have come to terms with her loss, she reappears yet again but by now her parents, husband and child have all aged whilst Mary Rose has remained just the same as the day she vanished.In this hauntingly beautiful and witty play, from the creator of Peter Pan, comes an exploration of time, love and loss. These timeless themes are given a thrilling revival with a fresh treatment in the trademark style of Conn Artists; with an ensemble cast of five actors, and featuring Barrie’s own stage directions as interwoven pieces of narrative, original music and traditional folk songs, all creating what live, modern theatre can do best.Mary Rose, spanning a period of over 30 years, will leave you spellbound by its mystical nature and moved by its deepest yearnings to be reunited with the ones we love, and offering a message of hope.Casting Requirements·        We are ideally looking for Sussex based actors within a 15-20 mile radius of Worthing, West Sussex.·        Cast of 3 Male and 2 Female Actors who will need to multi-role/double·        Actors need to be able to work as a supportive ensemble and have a fantastic rapport between each other as the cast are on stage the whole time (though sometimes in the shadows)·        Actors need to have excellent stage craft and experience in live theatre (classical theatre training an advantage) who have the ability to instantly create and change characters and moods quickly·        Actors need to be able to sing to a reasonable standard and we are looking for two to three cast members to be musical and able to play either the violin/fiddle, recorder/flute and possibly classical guitarDetailed Casting BreakdownActor 1 – Mr Morland: Mary Rose’s father. The local squire whose work consists of magisterial duties. He has on the whole found life to be an easy happy adventure and has done his tranquil best to make it so for his neighbours. Playing age 40-65. (NOW CAST)Actor 2 – Mrs Otery / Mrs Morland: Mrs Otery is a caretaker, of something under forty, a dull woman who has lost the sense of enjoyment long ago. She has probably shown many possible purchasers over the house and is indifferent as to whether you mean to buy or not. There is something strange about her as if she knows the house has an ill-name and is anxious to conceal it; at times a little frightened who has been sometimes scared by the presence that haunts the house. Mrs Morland is Mary Rose’s mother. She is a delightful lady, a mixture of sunshine and shrewd sense. Her preserves, ciders, roses etc are undoubtedly the best in the district and she has a joke that has kept her merry through all her marries life viz her husband. She adores him, however, and they are a very loveable couple. Playing range 35-50.Actor 3 – Mr Amy / Cameron: Mr Amy is a dear creature of a clergyman and is Mr Morland’s close friend except when they have momentary quarrels about prints, for print collecting is their hobby, and each likes to show the other his latest purchase and goat over it until the other says jealously that it is worthless when they nearly come to blows. Cameron is a gawky youth of about twenty or more dressed as the poorest sort of ghillie, but proud, and with accomplishments. He speaks in the soft voice of the Highlander. He has fine courteous manners. (NOW CAST)Actor 4 – Harry / Simon: Harry, who is about twenty-six, is an Australian soldier – a private. He has the Australian tang in his voice, manners and movements. He is a rough fellow from sheep farms and the bush, sinewy and physically wiry and is Mary Rose’s lost son. Simon is a manly fellow of twenty-three. He should be very different from Harry. He is as smart as Harry is slouching; he is essentially a jolly young fellow; while Harry wis hard, bitter and rather morose. Simon’s manner is frank and open with an educated voice. Whereas Harry is rather a cynic with the tang of the bush. Simon is Mary Rose’s husband. Playing range 23-50 (NOW CAST)Actor 5 – Mary Rose: is a pretty young girl of about nineteen, capable of the wildest gaiety and fun, a gleeful child, over-full of happiness and little aware of the future that lies before her. She is extremely impulsive, capable of many emotions. Playing range 19-25PaymentAs the company has not been awarded ACE funding for this project but we have chosen to go ahead with the production nevertheless; fees are lower than normal. For the 10 day rehearsal period we are offering a basic £300 expenses payment. Once we are into the performances we are offering £70 per playing day which equates to £350 per playing week (i.e. every 5 playing days). A discretionary bonus will also be written into the contract and given should venue income forecasts be exceeded. Please bear in mind that we are all still emerging from the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and that the theatre industry is still in recovery. Therefore, we have had to make lower income projections than normal in order to protect the company’s future. Accommodation and travel on tour (not rehearsals) will be arranged, provided and reimbursed by the company when a return to Worthing (base-camp) is not possible.Expressions of interestPlease can actors interested in being considered for this production project send a C.V. and photo ASAP with a covering e-mail to connartiststheatrecompany@gmail.com subject CASTING for MARY ROSE to Ross Muir (Producer).CASTINGCasting is by invitation only. Actors will need to have 2 short contrasting speeches (but may not get asked to perform both), a short song that they could sing an extract of unaccompanied and bring a violin/flute/recorder/guitar etc to demonstrate instrument proficiency (if applicable) and be willing to improvise or read on the day.The aim is to hold interviews/workshop-style auditions on Monday 6th December 2021. Attachments:

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