Auditions for “An Inspector Calls”
Ramona Hillside Players in Hemet, CA will hold open auditions for “An Inspector Calls“.
Written by J.B. Priestley
Directed By Peggy McQuown
Written by J.B. Priestley
Directed By Peggy McQuown
Auditions September 12 & 13, 2022
All auditions begin at 7:00 PM
All auditions begin at 7:00 PM
Performance dates are November 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, 12th, & 13th 2022 @ RHP in Hemet
The audition will consist of cold readings from the script. Please come prepared with a resume, headshot, pen/pencil, and a list of conflicts.
PLOT:
THE STORY: The action of the play occurs in an English industrial city, where a young girl commits suicide and an eminently respectable British family is subject to a routine inquiry in connection with the death. An inspector calls to interrogate the family, and during the course of his questioning, all members of the group are implicated lightly or deeply in the girl’s undoing. The family, closely knit and friendly at the beginning of the evening, is shown up as selfish, self-centered or cowardly, its good humor turning to acid, and good fellowship to dislike, before the evening is over. The surprising revelation, however, is in the inspector—who turns out to be no copper at all but a mysterious individual with full knowledge of everyone’s connection with the suicide. After the false inspector has been shown up, and it is discovered that no suicide had been recorded, an actual copper shows, and a last-minute suicide is reported, which ties in mysteriously with the foregoing.
THE STORY: The action of the play occurs in an English industrial city, where a young girl commits suicide and an eminently respectable British family is subject to a routine inquiry in connection with the death. An inspector calls to interrogate the family, and during the course of his questioning, all members of the group are implicated lightly or deeply in the girl’s undoing. The family, closely knit and friendly at the beginning of the evening, is shown up as selfish, self-centered or cowardly, its good humor turning to acid, and good fellowship to dislike, before the evening is over. The surprising revelation, however, is in the inspector—who turns out to be no copper at all but a mysterious individual with full knowledge of everyone’s connection with the suicide. After the false inspector has been shown up, and it is discovered that no suicide had been recorded, an actual copper shows, and a last-minute suicide is reported, which ties in mysteriously with the foregoing.
CAST OF CHARACTERS:
*** All Ages are Relative ***
Arthur Birling – family patriarch, successful businessman. Worked his way up from a lowerclass upbringing. Imperious, but still able to appreciate the merits of having a good time.
Eric Birling – youngest member of the family, still trying to find his way in life. He’s acquired a significant drinking problem.
Gerald Croft – family friend, recently engaged to Shiela. He’s a better fit to be Arthur’s son than Eric is, and that’s perhaps part of Shiela’s attraction to him.
Sybil Birling – family matriarch. The script indicates she’s her husband’s social superior, so she works hard to make sure the family attains its stature. She’s rich and always has been. She’s also cold and sort of a bitch, and probably always has been.
Sheila Birling – the Birlings’ eldest child, recently engaged to Gerald. She’s her mother’s daughter in some ways, but not nearly as cold.
Edna – the family’s maid. She’s lower-class, and knows her place. [This character’s stage time will be significantly increased in production.] Flexible (may be cast as either male or female)
Inspector Goole – an interrogator who comes to the house with a distinct agenda. We’re not always sure what his/her motives are, though s/he does have a knack for getting people to reveal information. S/He’s a figure who instantly commands respect from others.