CALL TO AUDITION:

London, 1889. Charlie Swinscow, a young telegraph boy, is arrested after being caught with 14 shillings in his pocket.

But he didn’t steal the money. This was payment for his body, sold to a wealthy aristocrat at 19 Cleveland Street, a secretive gay brothel with connections all the way to the royal family. As a chain reaction of events unfolds, Charlie and his mother are swept up in a national scandal that will reshape both their lives.

This is the (mostly) true story behind the scandal that shook England. From the streets of Bermondsey to the halls of Buckingham Palace, a cover-up was exposed at the highest levels, as the Crown scrambled to protect itself from whispers of aristocratic vice corrupting the young men of London echoed through the city.

An engrossing tale of power, deception, and disgrace featuring a flea, a rat, a horse, a detective, a queen, a pimp, a god and Charlie. The telegraph boy who brought an empire to the brink of collapse.

CREATIVE TEAM
Director Patrick Kennedy

PERFORMANCE DATES
4 Feb to 8 Mar 2025

REHEARSALS
Rehearsals will commence Sun 17 Nov with a combination of weekend days and week evenings. Exact times and dates tbc, subject to cast availability.

AUDITION DATES
First Round
Sat 9 Nov – 10am to 5pm
Sun 10 Nov – 10am to 5pm

Call Backs
Wed 13 Nov – 6.30pm to 9.30pm

ROLES AVAILABLE
Charlie Swinscow / Bertie, Prince of Wales (Playing age of around 18 – 22 years old) – Charlie is a sweet natured telegraph boy whose father died in a freak accident. Now tasked with raising income for rent and helping his mother, he turns to gay sex work. Bertie is the pompous son of Queen Victoria and heir to the British Empire. He becomes embroiled in the brothel scandal despite being the one to set it up.

Emily Swinscow / Queen Victoria (27 – 35 year old playing range) – Emily Swinscow is a young widow and mother trying to make ends meet. She loves and protects her son passionately. Queen Victoria is the Imperial Empress of the British Empire, a grotesque characterisation of corrupt royal power.

Henry Newlove / Lord Arthur Somerset (25 – 30 year old playing range) – Henry Newlove is a post office employee who is chief recruiter of boys for the brothel. He is sexy, arrogant and stubborn. Somerset is a wealthy aristocrat employed by the Prince of Wales, he becomes embroiled in the scandal when letters to his gay lover are discovered by the police.

Fred Abberline / Charles Hammond / William Gladstone (33 – 45 year old playing range) – Inspector Abberline is a disgraced police officer whose mishandling of the Ripper murders has tarnished his prospects. He is opportunistic in investigating the brothel in an attempt to clear his name. Charles Hammond is the owner and operator of 19 Cleveland St, a wheel dealer London type interested in making quick money. William Gladstone is the affable Leader of the Opposition and forces a shut down of the investigation into the brothel for political gain.

Hanks / Barwell / Lord Euston (30 – 40 year old playing range) – Hanks is an ambitious young police officer who is star struck to meet Abberline. He is a bit of a comedic side kick but in the end shows his true colours when trying to save the telegraph boys from prison. George Barwell is the local MP and is a general all-round nice-guy, trying to help Emily save her son from incrimination. Lord Euston is a wealthy aristocrat and close friends with Lord Somerset, he betrays his friendship to save his relationship with one of the brothel workers.

We very much encourage and welcome submissions from people who identify as First Nations, PoC, CaLD, queer and/or gender diverse.

TO BOOK AN AUDITION
It is essential to read the script BEFORE applying. There is a perusal copy of the script available for viewing here.

Email your EOI to thefleant25@gmail.com with AUDITION in the subject line.

In your email, please:

Include an up-to-date headshot and CV.
Indicate if you are currently a New Theatre member.
Indicate your preferred audition date/time.
Indicate if you are unable to audition in person – submission of self-tape can be arranged.
Indicate your rehearsal availability (days and/or evenings).

PLEASE PREPARE
1 x contemporary monologue.
Audition sides will be sent out with confirmation of audition slot.

PLEASE NOTE
New Theatre an amateur theatre company and a volunteer-based organisation – there is no for payment for this production. If cast, you will be required to wash your own costumes and assist with production bump out.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Hailed as ‘one of the country’s most fascinating theatre practitioners’ (British Theatre), Patrick Kennedy is a British theatre director and producer recognized as one of the major figures of the twenty-first century European avant-garde. He is the founder of The Patrick Kennedy Theatre Machine and is a leading expert on the work of Richard Foreman, having produced 8 of his works in collaboration with Foreman across the world.

Originally trained as a director of classical work by the Globe Theatre, Kennedy’s work has since spanned 15 years and includes reinventions of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, radical film-theatre projects and creating a sell-out new musical based on women of the Weimar Era which played in London’s West End.

Recent credits include the critically acclaimed Sophia=(Wisdom): The Cliffs (New Theatre); Halbwelt Kultur (The Other Palace, London); Zomboid! (New Wimbledon Theatre, London); Elephant Steps – An Occult Opera Upon Perception (Arcola Theatre, London).

For more information please visit www.patrickkennedytheatremachine.com