SUDS Cast Callout: The Real Inspector Hound and The Bald Soprano
By Tom Stoppard and Eugene Ionesco
17th - 27th May 2023
The Cellar Theatre
Directed by Charlie Papps and Kieran Casey
Produced by Jadzia Stronell
Contact email: sudsdoublebill@gmail.com
The Real Inspector Hound is a murder mystery, following two theatre critics as they lay witness to a huge comedic spoof on a whodunnit set in an old country house. The play blends the audience with the action, providing a sharp critique on the craft of the reviewer, as well as discussing themes of fate and free will with more nuance than a majority of other comedic pieces. The characters are lively and the pace is always frantic, with interconnected webs of relationships crafting the perfect chaotic storm. Although at times profound, this play hinges on the fun it embodies, with many moving parts and nonsensical ideas.
The Bald Soprano involves the near quintessentially English couples of the Smiths and the Martins as they are about to have dinner, as they talk and tell short stories. Mary comes in and out. The Fire Chief joins the conversation halfway through the play. They talk nonsense, have meaningless banter, and tell inconclusive stories. The play is distinctly absurd.
Casting will be gender blind and race blind, as neither play significant roles in the themes of the play.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
The Real Inspector Hound
Moon - A cynical, sarcastic, self-important theatre critic who takes himself very seriously. Moon is very critical of the play he is reviewing, believing himself to be an expert on theatre
Birdboot - A womanising, pompous though deft theatre critic who enjoys his power and influence over the theatre world. Birdboot is bored with the play he is reviewing and is only interested in his own personal gratification.
Mrs. Drudge - The housekeeper of Muldoon Manor, a stereotypical servant character who is always eavesdropping and gossiping. She has a tendency to exaggerate and distort the truth.
Simon Gascoyne - Simon is a stereotypical "leading man" character, charming and handsome. He is also somewhat vain and self-absorbed, and acts extremely, near overtly suspicious.
Felicity Cunningham - A young woman who at first seems to fit the role of the ‘damsel in distress’, however is strong and independent, subverting the tropes of her classic murder mystery archetype.
Cynthia Muldoon - The eccentric owner of Muldoon Manor, she is a wealthy and powerful woman who enjoys manipulating the people around her. She is steadfast and headstrong, yet still caught up in the disappearance of her husband the previous year.
Magnus - Magnus is a mysterious, wheelchair bound man who showed up recently. He is an army man who enjoys pushing the speed of the wheelchair to the limits. He is crotchety and distant, likeable to the audience but not the characters.
Inspector Hound - An eccentric detective, in his attempts to be like Sherlock Holmes, ends up more like Inspector Gadget. He is very confident in his abilities as a detective. He should not be.
The Bald Soprano
Mrs Smith, Mr Smith, Mrs Martin, Mr Martin - They are distinguished only by having no distinguishing qualities at all. They are characterised by inane exchange of information. They mirror each other in their banal, excessively polite language and their ridiculous inability to make a logical leap to the conclusion. The Martins are slightly more monotone and drawling.
Mary - a pushy maid. ‘Does not know her place.’ Showcases more personality yet is still somehow generic. The clever servant archetype.
The Fire Chief - Although a little more brusque than the others, like the Martins and Smiths he is superficially polite. He takes the role of an adjudicator and confessor, trying to restore peace between Mr. and Mrs. Smith, who have engaged in a nonsensical argument.
AUDITION SLOTS
Auditions will run for approximately 15 minutes. Please fill out the expression of interest form below, and we will email you with a specific time for your audition. We would like you to prepare for ONE of the provided monologues to perform during your audition. Memorisation is encouraged but not compulsory. If NONE of the timeslots work for you, contact us via our email: sudsdoublebill@gmail.com and we will discuss alternative times, dates and/or options.
Expression of interest - Cast: https://forms.gle/cPdVYGp23tAMe5tg8
Monologues: https://docs.google.com/.../1x6UV16XVSvIYT7.../edit...
Audition Times
Monday 27th: 5pm - 7pm
Tuesday 28th: 1pm - 5pm
Wednesday 29th: 11am - 2pm
Thursday 30th: 1pm - 3pm
Friday 31st: 12pm - 2pm
CONTENT WARNINGS
Sexual References
Coarse Language
References and depictions of death and violence
For any questions, please contact Charlie, Kieran (Directors) or Jadzia (Producer) at sudsdoublebill@gmail.com. We hope to see you soon!