27 July - 4 August 2024

Putney Arts Theatre

This summer, Putney Arts Theatre hosts its own mini Edinburgh Festival as Putney Theatre Company  presents a series of short plays by some of the UK’s best playwrights during a week of celebration for the theatre’s 60th year.

10 plays. 30 actors. 8 days. 

A repertory of 10 award-winning plays by some of the UK’s best contemporary dramatists forms the centrepiece of eight days of festivities, as we throw open the doors of the theatre, welcoming you all to a dazzling world of comedy, drama and family entertainment.   

Not Talking by Mike Bartlett
directed by Jim Dixon

Two couples, two stories, things not being spoken about. James avoided taking action; can his marriage to Lucy survive? Mark failed to stop an act of sexual violence; can Amanda find a way to deal with the consequences? Is silence a weapon, or the only way to protect yourself? A powerful, healing play from one of our leading playwrights.

CAST BREAKDOWN
1 M (60s)
1 F  (60s)
1 M (20s)
1 F  (20s) 

How to Spot an Alien by Georgia Christou
directed by Lois Savill

An out-of-this-world adventure for anyone aged six to six hundred (aliens included). When Jelly and Jonjo's mother mysteriously disappears, the twins are taken in by their very strange aunt, and soon find themselves on a rollercoaster rocket ride through space, dodging black holes and trying to spot intergalactic beasties. A fantastic escapade for all the family, full of fun, friendship and flying saucers.

CAST BREAKDOWN
2 performers able to play clever courageous kids
1 performer able to play a terrifying alien and several other strange parts

How to Date a Feminist by Samantha Ellis
directed by Frances Bodiam

Kate likes her men tall, dark and smouldering. She has a fatal attraction to bad boys. Then she meets Steve… and Steve is a feminist. Do we ever really choose who we fall for? Two actors play all the roles in Samantha Ellis’s fast-paced, brilliantly funny spin on the Hollywood rom-com.

CAST BREAKDOWN
1 M (20s)
1 F (20s) 

Comment is Free by James Fritz
directed by Jeff Graves

Alastair Cooper is a journalist with opinions on everything and everyone. But, as he’s soon to find out, everyone also has an opinion on him – and it's a dangerous world out there. In acclaimed author James Fritz's award-winning satire, a shocking event is the catalyst for a chilling up-to-the-minute exploration of the darker side of social media.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
2 F (30s/40s)
1 M (30s/40s)

A Hundred Words for Snow by Tatty Hennessy
directed by Cait Hart Dyke

Rory's dad always wanted to visit the North Pole. Now it’s too late for him, but not for Rory. Bearing her dad’s ashes, she sets off in the footsteps of the great explorers, to get her dad to the top of the world. A moving and funny coming-of-age story, and a journey like no other – one that’s sure to melt your heart.

CAST BREAKDOWN 
1 F (20s playing age 16)

Edgar & Annabel by Sam Holcroft
directed by Graham Kellas

A young couple preparing dinner. It's a familiar scene, but the script they're following is more than just a menu... one wrong word could blow everything apart. Could the mundane activities of married life be the perfect cover for a dangerous act of rebellion? Sam Holcroft's dystopian thriller is a gripping story of role-play and revolution, where life hangs by a thread.

CAST BREAKDOWN
3 F (20s/30s)
3 M (20s/30s)
1 M or F (50 +)

Bobby & Amy by Emily Jenkins
directed by Geoff Saunders

Bobby and Amy are 16-year-old misfits and friends from a small, West Country village. Against the backdrop of a terrible agricultural epidemic playing out across rural England, two actors recreate a whole community in an award-winning story of courage, loyalty, endurance… and saving a cow called Abigail.

CAST BREAKDOWN
1M (20s, playing multiple roles from 13 - 60)
1F (20s, playing multiple roles from 13 - 60)

How We Begin by Elisabeth Lewerenz
directed by Loetitia Delais

Helen and Diana are best friends. They love being together. Spending time together. Maybe they should be more than friends? There’s just one problem:  Diana has a boyfriend. A beautiful, tender exploration of love, queerness and identity, full of joy and absolutely no (ok, maybe just a few) regrets.

CAST BREAKDOWN
2 F (20s/30s)

Borders by Henry Naylor
directed by Paul Dineen 

A celebrated war photographer who once had an audience with Osama bin Laden. A young Syrian, six months pregnant, on an ageing fishing boat in the Mediterranean, sinking fast under the weight of refugees. Two stories, interwoven in Henry Naylor’s multi-award-winning play about one of the great crises of our time.

CAST BREAKDOWN
I M (30s)
1 F (20s/30s)*

* please note we are particularly keen to hear from actors with Middle Eastern heritage

Growth by Luke Norris
directed by Perry Savill

Tobes is young, free and having a ball… off. He's been ignoring his lump for two years but it's starting to get in the way – cramping his style and his sex life. So now there are pants to be dropped and decisions to be made... A ball-achingly funny comedy about growing up and manning up, one that's sure to tickle your fancy.

CAST BREAKDOWN
2 M (20s/30s)
1 F (20s/30s)

AUDITION DATES AND TIMES

We have split the 10 plays into three groups, with a separate date for each group.  To audition for any of the plays, please register your interest by emailing the Festival Director, Ian Higham at ian@nickhernbooks.co.uk

Ian will send out the audition pieces and any other additional information prior to the audition date. 

Monday 29 April from 7pm

How to Spot an Alien by Georgia Christou
How to Date a Feminist by Samantha Ellis
Growth by Luke Norris

Tuesday 30 April from 7pm

Bobby & Amy by Emily Jenkins
How We Begin By Elisabeth Lewrerenz 
Borders by Henry Naylor

Sunday 5 May from 6.30pm

Not Talking by Mike Bartlett
Comment is Free by James Fritz
A Hundred Words for Snow by Tatty Hennessy
Edgar & Annabel by Sam Holcroft

PLEASE NOTE

We are committed to improving diversity in our casting, and unless stated for artistic reasons, we aim to actively adopt an inclusive casting policy.

This is an amateur production. You do not need to be a member of Putney Theatre Company to audition, but actors and crew will need to become a member of Putney Theatre Company to take part in the show for £30 a year. A  £30 show fee will also need to be paid by all actors in the production. We encourage you to become a member of PTC anyway, even if not cast. 

Our company is run by volunteers and we expect all actors cast in a play to volunteer for Front of House duties at least once a year. Our shows could not go up without our Front of House volunteers.