"Welcome to opening night of the Cornley University Drama Society’s newest production, The Murder at Haversham Manor, where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. This 1920s whodunit has everything you never wanted in a show—an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines).

Nevertheless, the accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences! Part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes, this Olivier Award–winning comedy is a global phenomenon that’s guaranteed to leave you aching with laughter!"

Audition Notes and Characters: We welcome all those who want to share their talent with the community to audition for this fast paced and hilarious show about a play...that goes wrong! All parts are available and we will have sides for cold reads. Please note that the audition time is NOT by appointment and all interested will need to plan to be there for the entire audition.

Parts Available:

"ACTING CREW" (still parts, but not characters in "Murder at Haversham Manor)
Annie: The company Stage Manager (American Accent) Female Any Age.
Trevor: Company's lighting and sound operator (American Accent) Male Any Age.
Crew: These are actual stage crew that will have small bits on stage. No written lines but adlibs. Will also double as ACTUAL CREW. All Ages and Genders welcome.

Characters in "Mystery at Haversham Manor":
Chris: The head of the drama society and director of "Murder at Haversham Manor", plays Inspector Carter. (British Accent, Male, Any Age)
Jonathan: Plays Charles Haversham. (British Accent, Male, Any Age)
Robert: Plays Thomas Colleymoore. (British Accent, Male, Any Age)
Dennis: Plays Perkins the butler. (British Accent, Male, Any Age)
Max: Cecil Haversham and Arthur the Gardener. (British Accent, Male, Any Age)
Sandra: Plays Florence Colleymoore. (British Accent, Female, Any Age)

PRODUCTION NOTES:

British accents are a MUST for those designated. We can work on perfecting, but will not change to American accents. "Any Age" is relative to the cast as a whole. Must be able to play mid 20s + but we will consider all in context of overall cast. Preference is 18+.

• This is a VERY PHYSICAL show, some actors have less physical requirements than others, but EVERYONE will need to be able to fall, climb stairs, crawl and be carried or carry around. If you have specific questions, please reach out.

• This show requires "veteran actors". It is not ideal for first time actors unless willing to be the unnamed "Crew" members. We will have understudies that can be less experienced, but there is no guarantee of stage time for understudies. However, we always encourage EVERYONE to try out if for nothing more than experience!

• Show dates are Fridays/Saturdays at 7 PM with a 6 pm call and Sundays at 2 pm with a 1 pm call. January 20th -February 5th. Rehearsals are M-F from 7-9:30 with potential Saturdays if needed. If you cannot commit to this schedule, please do not audition. Some flexibility is available, but not much given the difficult nature of the show.

• All actors and crew are voluntary with no financial compensation as we are a 501 c3 Community Theater.

*Please direct all inquiries to office@melonpatchplayers.org. We do NOT loan scripts for preparation, but you can purchase them through Dramatist Play Services or other online services.