AUDITION NOTICE
Playhouse Creatures
by April de Angelis
directed by Gaby Bowring
PRODUCTION DATES: Friday 17th April to Saturday 25th April 2026
AUDITIONS will be held individually in 30-minute slots, and will be held in the NVT’s South Hall on:
Friday 28th November from 4pm to 8pm
Saturday 29th November from 11am to 3pm
Sunday 30th November from 11am to 3pm
RECALLS will be held in the NVT’s Upstairs Theatre on Saturday 6th December from 10:30am to 1:30pm. These will be group recalls, so ideally you need to be available for the full three hours
REHEARSALS will be held at the NVT on two weekday evenings and one weekend day, starting at the beginning of January
SYNOPSIS
It’s 1669, and the London elite are enjoying the latest ‘novelty’ in English theatre: the actress. Playhouse Creatures follows the precarious lives of these first female players, as they discover the consequences of their arrival upon the professional stage. Amid lively backstage antics - and fierce rivalries - they each revel in a newfound financial independence, whilst contending with both sexual exploitation and empowerment, onstage and off. Told with warmth and wit, this moving play rejoices in the camaraderie of these Restoration actresses, embracing both the comic and the tragic in their bold pursuit of personal and creative freedom.
Playhouse Creatures is an energetic ensemble piece, and I’m looking for a cast keen to develop their characters through delving into the social and historical context of the play – this will include looking at acting styles of the era, as there are short onstage scenes of both bawdy Restoration comedies and dramatic Shakespearean roles.
CHARACTERS (with approx. playing ages)
Doll Common (Late 50s - Mid 60s) – a charismatic storyteller, Doll is quick-witted with a sharp tongue, and a good judge of character. Beneath this hides a warm heart, which is fiercely devoted to Mrs Betterton
Mrs Mary Betterton (Late 40s – Early 50s) – one of the very first women to tread the boards, Mrs Betterton is passionate about her craft, the King’s theatre company, and its leading actor, her husband. She leads the other actresses with gravitas, grace, and a touch of eccentricity
*Mrs Rebecca Marshall (Late 30s - Early 40s) – bold, self-assured, and often impulsive, Mrs Marshall will no longer be taken advantage of by the men around her. Her anger fuels the fight for the actresses’ personal and creative autonomy
Mrs Elizabeth Farley (Late 20s - Early 30s) – fiercely competitive and surprisingly cunning, Mrs Farley is a tenacious woman with a tragic tale, where becoming an actress is both her escape and her undoing
*Nell Gwyn (Late Teens) – the acting career of ‘pretty witty Nell’ has just begun, and her ability to work a crowd is undeniable, showcasing the remarkable presence, power and charm that in time made her a household name, and the King’s favourite
Mrs Elizabeth Barry (Early to Mid-20s) – desperate to become an actress, Elizabeth agrees to the Earl of Rochester’s help, whatever it takes. Yet it’s clearly her innate talent, and sharp business acumen, that went on to create Mrs Barry: the greatest tragic actress of her time. Will also play The Wit for a short scene
Thomas Otway / The Earl of Rochester (Mid 30s - Early 40s) – a dual role playing Thomas Otway – a talented, yet struggling playwright, keen to make his late father proud, and yet to be convinced that great roles can be written for women too – and The Earl of Rochester – a cad, but with a redemptive arc, he trains Elizabeth Barry to become an actress, falling into a love/hate relationship that will define both of their lives
PLEASE NOTE
*Stage combat training will be provided for the roles of Nell Gwyn & Mrs Rebecca Marshall for a brief sword fighting scene
*Due to time constraints, each auditionee can read for a maximum of two characters - if you wish to be considered for an additional character, please make this clear at your audition
Once you’ve confirmed your audition time, Gaby will send you a copy of the play, which she would like you to read in full prior to the audition, as well as your chosen character(s) audition scenes. Printed copies of these scenes will be available at the audition, as will be a hard copy of the script if you are cast, so no need to buy your own.
This an open audition, but if you become a member of the cast you will be expected to become an NVT member
To enquire about audition pieces and book your 30 minute audition slot, please contact Gaby on