BLACK COMEDY - Cotuit Center for the Arts Non Equity Auditions

AUDITIONS: BLACK COMEDY

a play written by Peter Shaffer, directed by Michele Colley

Audition Dates

Sunday, Oct. 27 - 3-6pm
Tuesday, Oct. 29 - 6-9 pm
Wednesday, Oct. 30 - 6-9 pm

Set in 1965, Black Comedy sees a struggling artist about to meet both his fiancée's father and a major art investor on the same evening. In an attempt to impress, the artist has borrowed a room full of antique furniture from his vacationing neighbor. As preparations are made for the evening, the apartment building loses power. Much more is revealed about the artist than he ever wanted brought to light.

The first five minutes of the play take place on a dark stage. When the lights go out, the balance of the play is played in the light, with actors appearing to struggle in the dark. Much mistaken identity, groping, near misses and stunts ensue. This is a show that requires physical comedy skill.

The director will be casting eight physically capable actors (five men, three women) for the following roles:

Brindsley Miller (M): Protagonist. This man has kept every facet of his life in the dark from everyone around him. He is intelligent and attractive at the same time, nervous and uncertain of himself. The role is very physically demanding and requires a British accent.

Carol Melkett (F): Brindsley's fiancée. A young debutante; very pretty, very spoiled; very silly. Her sound is that unmistakable, terrifying deb quack. Also requires a British accent.

Miss Furnival (F): A teetotaler - who is also a spinster. You can guess what happens with her when left in a dark room full of booze and strangers. British accent and a lack of a few inhibitions required.

Colonel Melkett (M): Carol's father is a career British military man, with all the mannerisms and behavior that entails. Colonel Melkett has a couple of physically demanding stunts.

Harold Corringe (M): Brindsley's antique dealing neighbor. British accent.

Schuppanzigh (M): Works for the London Electricity Board, and is present to fix the electricity. He is mistaken for Bamberger when he arrives. His is a German accent.

Clea (F): Clea is a hack artist and Brindsley's British ex girlfriend. Or so his fiancée believes...

Georg Bamberger (M): Bamberger is the major art investor that Brindsley hopes to impress this evening. He is German (like Schuppanzigh). He appears very briefly at the end of the farce to throw another wrench in the toolbox full of wrenches.

The cast can be aged 'up or down' as required.

Auditions will be held in the main theater at Cotuit Center for the Arts. 4404 Falmouth Road, Cotuit, MA 02635

Rehearsals will begin mid-November.

For more information, contact
Michele Colley, Director.