Death by Design

• PowPAC Theater is located at 13250 Poway Road, Poway, CA 92064 (Upstairs) – Elevator access in the back of the building.


• Auditions Monday, May 20th and Tuesday, May 21st, 2024. 7:00-9:00 p.m. (please arrive early for paperwork and schedule comparison). No appointment necessary.


• Callbacks will be by invitation on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024, if required.


• The first read-through will be on Saturday, May 25th, 2024.


• Auditions will consist of a brief interview, and cold reads from the script. Prepared pieces may be presented.


• UK dialects required.


• Please bring a resume of theatrical experience and a recently headshot.


• For additional information and questions, please contact the director at bananafroggy@gmail.com (Subject: Death by Design).

• No Pay - Volunteer Organization

• Rehearsal schedule may be Sunday -Thursday evenings 7:00-10:00 p.m., based on Cast availability.


• Rehearsal Start Time will be based on availability of Cast.


• Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m (except August 3rd). and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. from Friday, July 5th, 2024 – Sunday, August 4th, 2024.


• Saturday, July 13th and 27th, will have a matinee performance at 2:00 pm and an evening


• performance at 8:00 pm. August 3rd has a single matinee performance at 2:00 pm.

Synopsis of the Play:
Set in 1932, a playwright, and his actress wife flee London and head to Cookham after a disastrous opening night. But various guests arrive unexpectedly – When one of the guests is murdered, it’s left to Bridgit, the feisty Irish maid, to solve the crime. Filled with intrigue, romance, and clever wordplay, "Death by Design" is a delightful homage to the golden age of mystery with a modern twist.

About the Characters:
JACK:
Age: 20s - 30s
Presenting: Male
Dialect: Cockney
Line Load: Moderate
Stage Time: Moderate
Character: Jack is the chauffeur, charming, clever, and very popular with the ladies.

EDWARD BENNET:
Age: 30s-50s
Presenting: Male
Dialect: London upper middle class to posh
Line Load: Heavy
Stage Time: Heavy
Character: Edward is an urbane, vain, and successful playwright who flees London to Cookham after a very unsuccessful opening night.

SOREL BENNETT:
Age: 30s-40s
Presenting: Female
Dialect: London upper middle class to posh
Line Load: Heavy
Stage Time: Heavy
Character: Sorel is the glamorous, daffy, and flirtatious actress. The wife of Edward Bennet with whom she has a very cutting and quick relationship.

WALTER PEARCE:
Age: 30s - 50s
Presenting: Male
Dialect: London upper middle class to posh
Line Load: Moderate
Stage Time: Heavy
Character: Walter is a stiff, conservative politician with nefarious designs on Sorel, who arrives at the house at her invitation.

ERIC:
Age: 20s - 30s
Presenting: Male
Dialect: Flexible (Leeds, Yorkshire, Northampton, Welsh, Manchester possible)
Line Load: Moderate
Stage Time: Moderate
Character: Eric is a radical, fiery, emphatic, socialist.

VICTORIA VAN ROTH:
Age: 20s to 70s
Presenting: Female
Dialect: Any UK but definitely affected.
Line Load: Moderate
Stage Time: Moderate with some light choreography during a very funny interpretive dance number.
Character: Victoria is a Bohemian in the classic mode, intense and artistic. Sorel’s friend and advisor.

ALICE:
Age: 20s-30s
Presenting: Female
Dialect: Middle class
Line Load: Supporting
Stage Time: Supporting (must be able to wear comically large and strong spectacles for short periods)
Character:The visitor. Arrives in Act II. Sweet and shy.