AUDITION INFORMATION
‘COSI’ BY LOUIS NOWRA | 21st- 30th APRIL 2023 | THEATRE 102, 102 ANZAC AVE, REDCLIFFE
AUDITION PACK
We encourage performers of all nationalities, genders and sexual identities to audition for this production.
Ghostlight Theatre Co. is very excited to partner with Redcliffe Musical Theatre for this joint production of the Louis Nowra classic, ‘Cosi’.
Directed by Susan O’Toole-Cridland
PLOT SUMMARY
Set in 1970s Australia, this semi-autobiographical play by Louis Nowra introduces us to an older Lewis (who some audience members may know from Nowra’s earlier play – ‘Summer of the Aliens’). Lewis is now a university graduate who takes on a job of putting on a play – with a colourful cast of patients from a local mental asylum. While Lewis, under the strong influence of girlfriend Lucy and best mate Nick, plans on staging a meaningful play such as the likes of Brecht, his plans are thwarted when he discovers one of these patients has other ideas. An opera. Performed by madmen. In a burnt-out theatre. With just a piano. Oh, and none of them can actually sing.
What could possibly go wrong?
ROLE DESCRIPTIONS
Lewis (Age 20 – 25) - Lewis is a university graduate who, although he may not realise it, is stuck between being told who he needs to be and who he might want to be. Desperate for money, he takes on the job of directing a show in a mental institution.
Roy (Age 40+) - Roy is a manic depressive with a passion for theatre, a love of music and a VERY open opinion of Lewis’ directing ability - or lack thereof.
Cherry (Age 40+) - Cherry is a lover of food, attention, and flick knives - and now her eyes are set on Lewis.
Ruth (Age 40+) - Ruth struggles to marry her obsessive-compulsive disorder with the concept of reality versus illusion in the world of theatre.
Julie (Age 20 – 25) - Julie is a lost young soul. Once a hairdresser, she was put in the institution by her parents in the hope she can beat her addiction to drugs.
Doug (Age 25+) - Doug is an overly sexualised pyromaniac - with definite mother issues...
Henry (Age 45+) - Henry is an older, quiet man. A lawyer before a nervous breakdown landed him in the institution.
Zac (Age 25+ - must be able to play a musical instrument) - Zac is a drugged-up musician with a passion for Wagner. The ideal accompanist for an opera by Mozart right?
Justin (Age 30+) - Justin is a social worker at the institution and the person behind the idea of the patients doing a show - even better if someone else is directing it!
Lucy (Age 20 – 25) - Lucy is Lewis' girlfriend. Her political and artistic views are more in line with Nick and she is appalled that Lewis would take on such a job as this.
Nick (Age 20 – 25) - Nick is Lewis's best mate and confidante who has strong left-wing ideals that he is not afraid to shout out - despite not always knowing his audience.
PERFORMANCE DATES (subject to change)
Friday 21 April 2023 – 7.30pm
Saturday 22 April 2023 – 2.00pm and 7.30pm
Sunday 23 April 2023 – 6.00pm
Friday 28 April 2023 – 7.30pm
Saturday 29 April 2023 – 2.00pm and 7.30pm
Sunday 30 April 2023 – 6.00pm
Please download audition pack for more information.
AUDITION PACK
We encourage performers of all nationalities, genders and sexual identities to audition for this production.
Ghostlight Theatre Co. is very excited to partner with Redcliffe Musical Theatre for this joint production of the Louis Nowra classic, ‘Cosi’.
Directed by Susan O’Toole-Cridland
PLOT SUMMARY
Set in 1970s Australia, this semi-autobiographical play by Louis Nowra introduces us to an older Lewis (who some audience members may know from Nowra’s earlier play – ‘Summer of the Aliens’). Lewis is now a university graduate who takes on a job of putting on a play – with a colourful cast of patients from a local mental asylum. While Lewis, under the strong influence of girlfriend Lucy and best mate Nick, plans on staging a meaningful play such as the likes of Brecht, his plans are thwarted when he discovers one of these patients has other ideas. An opera. Performed by madmen. In a burnt-out theatre. With just a piano. Oh, and none of them can actually sing.
What could possibly go wrong?
ROLE DESCRIPTIONS
Lewis (Age 20 – 25) - Lewis is a university graduate who, although he may not realise it, is stuck between being told who he needs to be and who he might want to be. Desperate for money, he takes on the job of directing a show in a mental institution.
Roy (Age 40+) - Roy is a manic depressive with a passion for theatre, a love of music and a VERY open opinion of Lewis’ directing ability - or lack thereof.
Cherry (Age 40+) - Cherry is a lover of food, attention, and flick knives - and now her eyes are set on Lewis.
Ruth (Age 40+) - Ruth struggles to marry her obsessive-compulsive disorder with the concept of reality versus illusion in the world of theatre.
Julie (Age 20 – 25) - Julie is a lost young soul. Once a hairdresser, she was put in the institution by her parents in the hope she can beat her addiction to drugs.
Doug (Age 25+) - Doug is an overly sexualised pyromaniac - with definite mother issues...
Henry (Age 45+) - Henry is an older, quiet man. A lawyer before a nervous breakdown landed him in the institution.
Zac (Age 25+ - must be able to play a musical instrument) - Zac is a drugged-up musician with a passion for Wagner. The ideal accompanist for an opera by Mozart right?
Justin (Age 30+) - Justin is a social worker at the institution and the person behind the idea of the patients doing a show - even better if someone else is directing it!
Lucy (Age 20 – 25) - Lucy is Lewis' girlfriend. Her political and artistic views are more in line with Nick and she is appalled that Lewis would take on such a job as this.
Nick (Age 20 – 25) - Nick is Lewis's best mate and confidante who has strong left-wing ideals that he is not afraid to shout out - despite not always knowing his audience.
PERFORMANCE DATES (subject to change)
Friday 21 April 2023 – 7.30pm
Saturday 22 April 2023 – 2.00pm and 7.30pm
Sunday 23 April 2023 – 6.00pm
Friday 28 April 2023 – 7.30pm
Saturday 29 April 2023 – 2.00pm and 7.30pm
Sunday 30 April 2023 – 6.00pm
Please download audition pack for more information.
| Cosi audition pack.docx |