After a highly successful and varied portfolio of productions for our 104th Season, the Play Selection & Casting Group at Huddersfield Thespians is beginning the task of finding actors for the four plays of our 105th Season.
Here are the details of the forthcoming plays, and the requirements for each.

THE DRESSER
Playwright: Ronald Harwood
Venue: Lawrence Batley Theatre
Performance Dates: 16-19 October 2024
Synopsis
1942 and in a war-torn provincial theatre an ageing actor-manager, known to all as ‘Sir’, is struggling to cling on to his sanity and complete his latest performance of King Lear. For sixteen years Norman, Sir’s devoted dresser, has been there to fix Sir’s wig, massage his ego, remind him of his opening lines and provide the sound effects in the storm scene. It is down to Norman to ensure that in spite of everything, the show goes on. Following on from their successful run of Gaslight, Huddersfield Thespians bring you Ronald Harwood’s highly acclaimed drama.
Requirements
Norman | Male | Sir’s dresser, protector and confidant | 35+ |
Her ladyship | Female | Sir’s partner and a fellow member of the troupe | 50+ |
Madge | Female | Madge is the Stage Manager for the company | 35+ |
Sir | Male | The older, lead actor and manager of a regional touring theatre company | 50+ |
Irene | Female | An ambitious young actress in the company | 25+ |
Geoffrey Thornton | Male | An older, stand-in, actor within the troupe | 40+ |
Mr Oxenby | Male | A replacement actor and forthright Marxist activist | 35+ |
‘King Lear’ Actors | Male | Pre-recorded for sound use on stage, rather than live | N/A |
COMEDY CHRISTMAS CRACKERS
Playwright: various
Venue: Longwood Mechanics Hall
Performance Dates: 11-14 December 2024
Synopsis
A celebration of over seventy years of classic British comedy, with sketches made famous by the likes of Morecambe & Wise, Victoria Wood, Monty Python, The Two Ronnies, Joyce Grenfell and many more. With fun, laughter, songs and sketches to appeal to all tastes, this Christmas show offers a great opportunity to get together in the tradition of Christmases past, and laugh out loud.
Requirements
Given that this is a sketch, revue show we will require a number of actors of different ages and genders, as there will be a variety of opportunities available. The specific roles will be assigned once we have details of numbers. Actors will be able to perform in a number of sketches, so there is an opportunity to try different things. It is anticipated that the show will also include a few musical sketches, however only those actors willing to do so would be expected to be cast in solo, duo or small group songs.
THE LADY IN THE VAN
Playwright: Alan Bennett
Venue: Longwood Mechanics Hall
Performance Dates: 12-15 March 2025
Synopsis
An eccentric old lady moves into a quiet street in Camden Town. There she remains, installed in her van in glorious self-sufficiency, until the council instructs her to move on. Then a kind homeowner invites her to move her van into his garden – where she stays for the next fifteen years.
Based on the true story, this is the fascinating story of the genteel vagrant who found a unique place in Alan Bennett’s life and writing. Thought provoking and moving, The Lady in the Van tackles profound questions about social responsibility, homelessness and mental illness with the lightness of touch characteristic of Bennett the master storyteller.
What began as a begrudged favour became a relationship that would change both their lives. Written by one of the nation’s best loved playwrights, this is a funny, poignant, and life-affirming story that we are delighted to be bringing to the stage in Longwood.
Requirements
Miss Shepherd | Female | The eponymous old lady of the piece | 55+ |
Alan Bennett 1 | Male | The author’s public persona | 35+ |
Alan Bennett 2 | Male | The author’s inner persona | 50+ |
Mam | Female | Alan Bennett’s mother | 55+ |
Rufus | Male | Alan Bennett’s neighbour | 30+ |
Pauline | Female | Rufus’s wife | 30+ |
Social Worker | Female | A young social worker, sent to assess Miss Shepherd | 25+ |
Underwood | Male | A dilapidated figure who is blackmailing Miss Shepherd | 35+ |
Mam’s Doctor | Either | The Doctor who reports to Bennett about his mother | 30+ |
Leo Fairchild | Male | Miss Shepherd’s brother | 45+ |
Lout | Either | Tormentor of Bennett | Any |
Ambulance Driver | Either | Any | |
Shepherd’s Doctor | Either | 30+ | |
Interviewer | Either | Any | |
Priest | Male | Any | |
Council Workmen, Undertakers, etc. | Either | Any |
LABOUR OF LOVE
Playwright: James Graham
Venue: Lawrence Batley Theatre
Performance Dates: 4-7 June 2025
Synopsis
June 2017, in a Labour Party office in North Nottinghamshire, David Lyons, local MP for the past 27 years, waits anxiously with his constituency agent for the results of the General Election. Having been re-elected six times, David faces the possibility of finally being voted out while his party, despite some gains, looks likely to be denied victory for the third time in a row.
Why is Labour losing seats in its traditional northern heartland while winning ‘safe’ Conservative ones elsewhere? What’s shifted within the party and country as a whole? David and Jean have witnessed many changes within the Labour movement over the years and through it all they’ve worked together side-by-side. However, David has advocated the need for a new approach, while Jean has championed the old values. Despite their many differences, a grudging respect has grown between them. All this is pulled into sharp focus by the return of David’s ex-wife, Elizabeth, who suggests they give their marriage another try… Having guided the MP through six successive victories, is his fiery constituency agent prepared to see him lose now on the home front?
Requirements
Jean Whitaker | Female | Labour constituency agent | 45+ |
David Lyons | Male | Labour MP | 45+ |
Elizabeth Lyons | Female | David’s Wife | 45+ |
Len Prior | Male | Local councillor and party worker | 40+ |
Margot Midler | Female | Constituent and party worker | 35+ |
Business Investor | Either | 35+ |
Constituents, Delivery person, Party Workers, Takeaway owner
What To Do Now?
To register an interest in acting in any of the plays, please send an email to casting@huddersfieldthespians.co.uk stating the following:
- Your name
- The production(s) you are interested in auditioning for
- Any role(s) you are particularly interested in
- Any non-available dates you have in July, August & September for casting nights (please include weekends, as there may be some weekend auditions as well as weeknight ones.)
The initial deadline for registering interest in all the productions is Sunday 14th July. After this date we will see what interest there is for each play, and then proceed with auditions for each one in turn, starting with The Dresser.
Thank you so much for your expected interest in our forthcoming season, and the very best of luck with your application and audition(s.)
Kindest regards,
Alistair Cheetham
Play Selection & Casting Group
