Tafe

Spider’s Web
by Agatha Christie

IF you are unable to make an audition date, please email info@tafepa.org for an alternate date.

SHOW SYNOPSIS
In this parody/comedy of a detective thriller, Christie delivers a unique blend of suspense and humor. Clarissa, wife of a diplomat, is adept at spinning tales of adventure, but when a murder takes place in her drawing room, she finds live drama much harder to cope with. Desperate to dispose of the body before her husband arrives with an important politician, she enlists the help of her guests. Hilarity ensues when they are interrupted by the arrival of wry detective Inspector Lord.

Cast of Needed as follows

11 characters, ages and genders are guidelines, but not determinate of actor playing them.

Also seeking crew members!

Spider’s Web Character Descriptions

CLARISSA HAILSHAM-BROWN: Age 25-35. The second wife of Henry Hailsham-Brown, charming and inventive, her imagination tends to work overtime, with some unexpected consequences.

JEREMY WARRENDER: Age 20-30. An elegant young man and guest at the Hailsham-Brown’s house, the private secretary for a man much wealthier than he.

OLIVER COSTELLO: Age 40s. He is suspected of shady dealings. None of the other characters like him and neither should the audience.

PIPA HAILSHAM-BROWN: Clarissa’s young stepdaughter: Age about 12 years old, she exhibits the strong emotional swings of a pre-teen, made worse by a previous family problem.

MILDRED PEAKE: She is a big, jolly-looking woman of forty odd, in tweeds and gum boots. The gardener with a hale and hearty attitude, some suspect that she isn’t all there.

MR. ELGIN: The butler – middle aged. Nothing escapes his attention.

HENRY HAILSHAM-BROWN: Age 40-50s. Clarissa’s husband. A good-looking man of about forty with a rather expressionless face who works in the foreign office, a strong, solid type.

HENRY HAILSHAM-BROWN: Age 40-50s. Clarissa’s husband. A good-looking man of about forty with a rather expressionless face who works in the foreign office, a strong, solid type.

SIR ROWLAND DELAHAYE: Age 50-60. A distinguished gentleman with very definite charm. Clarissa’s guardian, friend, and adviser, he likes to think that he can guide her but would never admit that she has him wrapped around her little finger.

HUGO BIRCH: Age 50-60. The local Justice of the Peace. A rather irascible type who shouldn’t be involved in business like a murder.

INSPECTOR LORD: Age 40-50s. The wheels are always turning in his brain. Although he doesn’t let on, he doesn’t miss a thing.

General Audition Information:

An audition is one of the first pieces of a production. Whether this is your first audition or your hundredth, we would love to have you, no experience is required. Every theatre and director will do things a little differently. For main stage shows here at TAFE, everyone interested in being involved in any capacity needs to fill out an audition form. There’s no need to prep any lines, just bring yourself and a list of availability during the rehearsal period. Children under 18 must bring their parents as well.

We will call you back to read and audition with a group. This means that the first person at auditions may not be the first person to audition, as they may not fit into the group being auditioned first. We do try to take younger kids first when and if possible.

Audition material will be provided for you. Helpers are available for those who need help reading. You may leave as soon as you read unless you are asked to read again. We try to give everyone an equal amount of time so you can expect to have some wait time – we encourage all to bring a book/homework! First-timers and experienced performers all receive the same consideration. Feel free to ask questions and visit with the other parents and people auditioning.

TAFE is an educationally oriented community theatre, thus our focus is on people of all ages both in the show and in the audience. GOOD SHOW!