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Welcome to opening night of the Cornley Drama Society’s newest production, The Murder at Haversham Manor, where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. This 1920s whodunit has everything you never wanted in a show—an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines). Nevertheless, the accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make in through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences! Part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes, this Olivier Award-winning comedy is a global phenomenon that’s guaranteed to leave you aching with laughter!
Auditions are by appointment only – reserve your slot at the SignUp Genius link here: SignUp Genius for TPTGW
PLEASE NOTE: All actors of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, and abilities are encouraged to audition. Actors of any age are encouraged to audition although please note the production does require a large physical component—actors must be comfortable with taking pratfalls, tumbling, stage combat, and grand acts of physical comedy.
WHAT TO PREPARE: There will be readings from the script and physical comedy bits and routines. Please wear comfortable clothing you can move in.
Chris/Christine (portraying Inspector Carter): Any race/gender – The director of the Cornley Drama Society and “lead performer”, they do their absolute best to keep the show on its rails as things fall apart around them. But the agony of a failing production cannot help but come out through gritted teeth and poorly-disguised embarrassment.
Sandra (portraying Florence Colleymoore): Any race/Female Identifying – The troupe’s ingenue and would-be “Best Actress”. The stage is her world and the world is her stage. Sandra is so full of… theater… that she can’t help but present herself as a grand dame, throwing knowing looks to the audience as the young fiancé to Charles Haversham, even when things are going to hell.
Robert/Roberta (portraying Thomas/Tammy Colleymoore): Any race/gender – Boisterous, intimidating, full of bravado, T is the older protective sibling to Florence, and Charles’ best friend. They believe that loud acting is the best acting, and they are the best (and loudest) actor they know.
Dennis/Denise (portraying Perkins the Butler): Any race/gender – The newest and least-comfortable actor in the troupe, they are never completely assured of themselves– needing to write their dialogue on their hands and becoming visibly upset when they screw up. As much as they want to do well, it is made quite evident to the audience when they don’t.
Max/Maxine (portraying Cecil(y) Haversham and The Gardener): Any race/gender – As Charles’ younger sibling, there’s always that one actor who is just so gosh-darned happy to be there! First time onstage and wow, is it awesome! They can’t help but smile and wave to the crowd, acknowledge the laughter of the audience, and break the fourth wall, fifth wall and every other wall there is.
Jonathan/Joanne (portraying Charles Haversham): Any race/gender – The host of the evening’s festivities and also quite dead. Or at least they are supposed to be dead. Unfortunately, it is exceedingly hard to play dead when every single freakish thing happening around you is prohibiting you from actually doing so. They might be the most active corpse running around in a murder mystery you’ve ever seen.
Annie (the Stage Manager): Any race/Female Identifying – Annie is a competent and imaginative stage manager that will improvise solutions to all the problems happening onstage. But just don’t ask her to act. Please don’t. Especially don’t ask her when Sandra get knocked out and someone has to take over the role for her. No, really, Annie is not an actor and doesn’t want to go onstage!!!
Trevor/Taylor (the Booth Operator): Any race/gender – As Cornley’s lighting and sound op, they get to sit above the crowd and watch and ridicule the catastrophe happening down below like some sort of techie Statler & Waldorf. Or at least that would be true, right up until they get pulled down out of the booth to get their rear in gear and have to start fixing things on the stage while the show and the set collapses around them.
Actors will be required to show proof of vaccination and are strongly encouraged to wear a mask when not reading. Please see our full COVID policies here: https://www.qptheater.com/covid-19-policies/
We welcome and encourage performers and team members of all colors, ethnicities, genders/gender non-conformity, body types, and abilities to join us. Quannapowitt Players is dedicated to creating a welcoming and accessible space for all people of any identity, background, or ability, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, nationality or immigration status, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical/mental ability, appearance, socio-economic status, education level, and political viewpoint.
We are committed to pursuing inclusivity and equity in all aspects of our theater.
If you require any specific accommodations for an audition, rehearsals, or performances, please reach out to us prior to the audition dates. We are eager to help you be able to get to us and to show us your best work!