AUDITIONS: A Mirror

By Sam Holcroft

AUDITION INFORMATION

In a totalitarian state where the Ministry of Culture must approve all new works of art, a rebel group is staging an illegal play under the guise of a wedding. In this darkly funny political thriller, everything is not as it seems…

Key Dates

Readthrough: Sunday 22nd March, 7pm

Auditions: Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March, 1pm. If you cannot make either of these dates, get in touch to discuss potential alternatives

Rehearsals: Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:45pm-10pm, Sundays 4pm-7pm

First rehearsal: Sunday 26th April (may informally start a bit earlier depending on people’s availability)

Tech Day: Sunday 21st June

Performances: Tuesday 23rd-Saturday 27th June

Get Out: Sunday 28th June

Regarding playing ages, these should be taken as only a rough guide – the main intention is to have a clear age gap between Celik and Adem & Mei, with Bax being either of similar age to Celik or somewhere in between, so can be flexible depending on who auditions

Genders given as the characters are written but actors from all backgrounds, ethnicity, or gender identification are welcome and encouraged to audition.

MAIN ROLES

All start off as participants in the staged wedding, majority of time is spent on the play within the play

Celik/Registrar (M, mid-40s and up)

A senior official at the Ministry of Culture, with his eye on the top job. Believer in the power of art and tired of the Ministry being seen as just censors, willing to bend the rules for what he sees as the greater good. Large role

Adem/Groom (M, 20s)

A former soldier who has written his first play and submitted it to the Ministry. Very literal-minded and obsessed with realism, naïve enough to have no idea how much trouble that could get him into. Large role

Mei/Bride (F, 20s)

Assistant to Celik, former soldier only recently re-assigned to the Ministry. Initially very stiff and out of her element with no real knowledge of the arts, but grows in confidence as she learns how the system works. Large role. Trivia: Tanya Reynolds received an Olivier Award nomination for the role in the original London production

Note: Adem and Mei share one intimate scene – kissing, partial undressing for Adem

Bax/Best Man (M, mid-30s and up)

One of the nation’s great writers and has very much enjoyed his success, though his best work is behind him and recently widowed. Old friends with Celik, brought in to mentor Adem. Has a brief bit of singing, but does not need to be any good! Medium role

SUPPORTING ROLES

These characters only appear in one scene, so won’t be needed at every rehearsal, potentially good options for those with greater constraints on their free time.

Senior Officer (M, 40+)

Senior government censor who [REDACTED]. Commanding, authoritative, pompous.

Sgt. Petrov and Agents of the Commission For Public Order (M or F, any age)

Petrov has a couple of lines, otherwise purely physical roles with an emphasis on being intimidating. Looking to get at least 3 people but the more the merrier. If you’re only interested in this and not any of the other roles, can just contact the director, Mark Sutton

Other

The script also references a musician, playing over the wedding at the start and during scene changes but has no dialogue – could be done just with pre-recorded music, but a live performer would be a definite bonus, an opportunity for someone to show off a difference skill-set, wouldn’t be required for most of the rehearsal period

Also get in touch if you’re interested in helping out backstage. Since the characters themselves are putting on a play, crew might have more of a visible on-stage presence than usual.

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Never auditioned for CTW before? Check out our audition advice page…

Note that in exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary for one or more characters to be assigned prior to auditions. There will always be advanced notice of this to avoid disappointment. Unless there is an exception clearly stated here, roles are not pre-determined.