Read throughs and Auditions: ANGELFISH

READ THROUGHS

Friday 22nd November at 7.30pm in the auditorium at the Old Court Theatre, Chelmsford and Monday 25th November at 7.30pm upstairs in the bar.

AUDITIONS

Tuesday 17th and Thursday 19th December at 7.30pm at The Old Court Theatre.

AUDITION PACK

You can download an audition pack HERE. This includes all the pages to be used for auditioning and any accompanying notes.

ABOUT

Angelfish is new and original play by TV and Radio writer Bev Doyle, based on a story by Andrew Mark Sewell, which will make its debut at the Old Court Theatre.

Set in the East End of London and Essex of the 1950’s, Angelfish is a comic drama in the style of One Man, Two Guvnors and The Ladykillers – with recognisable characters, sparky dialogue and a selection of mildly farcical misunderstandings and coincidences.

Jake Gould is an absolute chancer. One of heavyweight mob leader Frank Deacon’s minions, he’s never one to pass up a money-making opportunity, and if he can get away with something under Frank’s nose, so much the better. Between him and his Brummie sidekick “Shakespeare” there’s more wheeling and dealing going on than in a 1950s Kwik-Fit.

Jake’s keen to get out the crime business. Because he’s fallen in love with Angelica – and he will do anything for her. And, it transpires, utter strangers. During a stint in hospital (thanks to Frank’s goons), Jake is curious about a coma patient on the same ward and he drafts in his closest friend and local madam Simone to help find the man’s family. Unfortunately, witnessing their plan, the loyal Shakespeare gets his wires spectacularly crossed.

But first there’s the small matter of a ram raid, a face to face run-in with Frank and a batch of dodgy fur coats that need shifting toot-suite.

Frank knows there’s a bigger picture and he drafts in tame bent copper, D.I. Hubert to get to the bottom of it. And he’d quite like to wash his bloody hands of the sordid business before his beloved daughter “Angelfish” insists on him meeting her new fiancé.

CHARACTERS

JAKE GOULD (Late 20s – early 30s, M)

Works for Frank Deacon. Chancer, gambler, lovable soft-hearted rogue. Low level criminal with strong line in cheeky banter. Has dreams of escaping his life of crime, becoming a chef and opening his own restaurant. Smitten with Angelica. Cockney/Essex accent. NOTE: This is a large role – Jake is rarely off-stage.

FRANK DEACON (50s – 60s, M)

Exactly what you’d expect from successful East End/Essex fringes gangster boss. Charming, dangerous, battle scarred. Takes no prisoners, because it’s easier to rough them up and dump them in the street, or better, the Thames. However, as far as his daughter is concerned, he’s soft as a puppy. There’s absolutely nothing he wouldn’t do for his adored “Angelfish”.

ANGELICA aka “ANGELFISH” (25 – 30, F)

Frank Deacon’s beloved daughter, adored and indulged since birth and at first glance, a Disney princess. But she’s not as ignorant of Daddy’s nefarious activities as he would have her believe – Angelica is one step ahead of her old dad and running a racket or two of her own. Madly in love with Jake. “Educated” accent.

“SHAKESPEARE” (30s – early 40s M)

Jake’s Brummie sidekick. Not the sharpest tool in the box, but good at his job – covering Jake’s escapes, running his errands and being some handy standby muscle. Birmingham/Black Country accent.

LEO (30s – 40s, ANY)

Frank’s lieutenant and bodyguard. Tough as nails, hard as rocks and the last person you want to find at the end of a dark alley. If a dirty job needs doing, it’ll be Leo washing the blood off his hands afterwards.

D.I. HUBERT (40s- 50s, ANY)

The epitome of the bent copper, totally in Frank Deacon’s pocket; partly for the backhanders, partly out of fear and respect – And maintaining law and order is much easier if you’re on familiar terms with the local criminal mastermind.

LILIAN (40 – 50, F)

Now a sensible, efficient and grounded hospital sister following wilder days in her distant past as a gangster’s moll. Specifically, Frank’s.

SIMONE (30s – 40s, F)

Jake’s loyal best friend from childhood and madam at the local brothel – owned by Frank Deacon.

GLORIA (20 – 30, F)

Angelica’s best friend, drinking buddy and proxy when needed. Smarter than she appears.

MR MACKELLAR / COACH / START (30s – 50s, M)

In order: a groaning semi-comatose patient, a voice off-stage and D.I. HUBERT’S equally corrupt partner in Act 2.

NOTES ON THE PLAY

This is a completely new script – the first read through will be the first time it’s read aloud! However this will also give us the opportunity to workshop and develop the script during the rehearsal process.

ACCENTS: Characters with specific accents are noted. Shakespeare in particular should sound like a credible Brummie.  Other characters will have varying degrees of London/Essex accents.

LEO and D.I. HUBERT: These are written as male roles but are open to any gender.

Actors from all backgrounds, ethnicity, or gender identification are welcome and encouraged to audition.

Thank you for reading and we appreciate your interest!

Helen Quigley & Jacquie Newman