Oliver! 8 - 18 May 2019 - Audition Preparation Pack
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Oliver! 8 – 18 May 2019 Audition Preparation Pack
Oliver! May 2019
Audition Preparation Pack
Contents
1 – Key dates ......................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 – Pre-audition rehearsals .............................................................................................. 3
1.2 – Auditions..................................................................................................................... 3
2 – Show synopsis ................................................................................................................ 3
3 – What are we looking for? ............................................................................................... 4
4 – Membership and performance fees .............................................................................. 4
5 – What will happen at the children’s workshop and auditions?.................................... 5
6 – What will happen at the adult’s auditions? .................................................................. 5
7 – Characters ....................................................................................................................... 6
8 – Audition pieces ............................................................................................................... 7
8.1 – Named characters ...................................................................................................... 7
8.2 – Adult ensemble ........................................................................................................... 8
8.3 – Additional notes about usage of the cast ................................................................... 9
9 – What to wear for rehearsals ........................................................................................... 9
10 – What to bring to rehearsals ......................................................................................... 9
11 – Full rehearsal schedule .............................................................................................. 10
11.1 – Pre-audition music and movement for adult cast ................................................... 10
11.2 – Auditions................................................................................................................. 10
11.3 – Rehearsals ............................................................................................................. 10
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Audition Preparation Pack
1 – Key dates
Please read all the information to ensure you are clear on the audition requirements for each part and
can prepare fully. If you are unsure of anything then please contact Liz Scorey at
lizscorey1@sky.com or via 07793 058531.
1.1 – Pre-audition rehearsals
Weds 2 Jan – 7pm-8pm Olivers and Dodgers, 8pm-9.30pm – adults planning to audition
Monday 7 Jan – 7.30pm – 10pm – adults (movement for the audition will be set on this evening
for the adults)
Wednesday 9 Jan – 7pm-8pm Olivers and Dodgers, 8pm-9.30pm – adults
1.2 – Auditions
Sunday 13 Jan – 10am to 5pm (however we may finish earlier, TBC) – all children workshop and
auditions, as well as Olivers and Dodgers
Monday 14 Jan – 7pm – 10pm – all adult principals and company auditions
Unlike other show settings we will not have setting weeks as such. The dates for rehearsals are
therefore every Monday and Wednesday from 16 Jan until 1 May (there will be no rehearsal on
Monday, 22 April). See the full schedule at the end of this pack
From 1 May the rehearsal dates are as follows:
Thursday 2 May – dress run
Friday 3 May – dress run
Sunday 5 May – Band call (time tbc) and tech run (adults only for Tech run)
Monday 6 May – dress run in the theatre – both teams of children needed
Tuesday 7 May - dress run in the theatre – both teams of children needed
Liz Ilett, our director has drawn up a full rehearsal schedule (see section 11) and if you are going to
audition for a principal role in particular, you should aim to be available for the dates when your
scenes will be set. You are responsible for providing a stand-in for rehearsals that you are unable to
attend (and they must take notes for you).
There will be 12 performances of the show from Wednesday 8 – Saturday 18 May. This includes a
matinee performance on Saturday 11 and 18 May. Only Sunday 12 May is a non-performance day.
2 – Show synopsis
Bringing Charles Dickens’ beloved novel to life, Lionel Bart’s Oliver! takes audiences on a wild
adventure through Victorian England. Join young, orphaned Oliver Twist as he navigates the
London’s underworld of theft and violence, searching for a home, a family, and - most importantly - for
love. When Oliver is picked up on the street by a boy named the Artful Dodger, he is welcomed into a
gang of child pickpockets led by the conniving, but charismatic, Fagin.
When Oliver is falsely accused of a theft he didn’t commit, he is rescued by a kind and wealthy
gentleman, to the dismay of Fagin’s violent sidekick, Bill Sykes. Caught in the middle is the warm-
hearted Nancy, who is trapped under Bill’s thumb, but desperate to help Oliver, with tragic results.
With spirited, timeless songs like “As Long as He Needs Me”, “Food, Glorious Food” and “Where is
Love” Oliver! is a musical classic.
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Audition Preparation Pack
3 – What are we looking for?
For this production we are seeking to cast:
Adults for principal roles and ensemble
Two teams of 20 children
Age of children to audition
Boys auditioning for Oliver should be aged between 9-13 years old. They should not be too tall.
Boys auditioning for Dodger should have a playing age of 10 – 15 years. They should not be too
tall, but if they are older and short that will be fine.
Children auditioning for the Workhouse/Fagin’s gang need to be aged between 9-12 years old to
audition. In addition, we are seeking to cast a couple of children aged 8.
Each team of children will perform six performances each on alternate nights (we will confirm the rota
shortly after the cast has been announced). The children’s cast can consist of girls for the workhouse
scene if we do not have enough boys, but they will not go into Fagin’s gang. They may, however, be
used in other scenes in the show.
All children will rehearse together, and both teams will usually be called for every children’s rehearsal,
unless stated otherwise. We have designed the rehearsal schedule so that most children will leave
earlier than the adult cast – unless we confirm otherwise. The full schedule (see section 11) will help
you with timings, but this is subject to change. At the end of each rehearsal we will inform you what
time to be there and what time you can leave.
4 – Membership and performance fees
BATS is not a charity and we invest a lot financially into our shows and the quality of our productions
demonstrate this. We aim to provide the majority of costumes for most of the cast from our own
costume store or from what we hire. However, you may be expected to provide additional items as
required by your character, e.g. wigs (if required), shoes, jewellery and some other smaller cost items.
Therefore, we do ask all people joining BATS to pay a membership fee and everyone cast in a show
will need to pay a performance fee.
The performance fee covers our insurance policy to cover you during rehearsals and on stage,
contributing towards the cost of DBS checks for individuals who work with children, and rehearsal
room hire costs and materials.
The fees for this production are:
Membership fee Performance fee
Child £5 £42.50
Payable on the day of the Payable by 30 April 2019
workshop Can be paid in instalments
This covers attendance at the
day-long workshop/audition and
membership, if cast in the show
Adult £20 £75
Payable before the audition Payable by 30 April 2019
Can be paid in instalments
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Audition Preparation Pack
5 – What will happen at the children’s workshop and auditions?
We will meet and greet you and explain the day. Liz Ilett, our director, will talk you through how the
day will run. There will be groups of 8-10 children per adult helper. We will do some movement first
thing all together and then the groups will rotate around rooms from learning the movement, looking at
dialogue and doing some singing throughout the day. We will break for lunch so please bring a
packed lunch with you.
At the end of the day we will run an audition. Before you leave we aim to tell you whether you are in
the show or not.
This show will require reserves so although we are asking for a max of 20 per team we will keep a list
of reserves who may be invited in if we need to recast someone. We will also be casting understudies
for Oliver and Dodger, who will also be part of the children’s cast.
Please do not share outcomes on social media until the cast list has been published on the website.
Date: Sunday 13 January
Time: 10:00am - 5:00pm (however we may finish earlier, TBC)
Venue: Market Chambers, 6 Wote Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7NW
Cost: £5 (payable on the day). This covers attendance at the day-long workshop/audition and
membership, if cast in the show
Access to the main entrance for Market Chambers is via the Lesser Market alleyway. The door is
directly opposite Camouflage Corner.
6 – What will happen at the adult’s auditions?
Those auditioning for a named role will be called first to perform their set dialogue and extract of a
song before the audition panel. A schedule will be published on the day.
Thereafter we will see those wishing to audition for the ensemble in small groups. You will be
required to perform an extract of a song and the movement that you will have been taught prior to the
audition. At the pre-audition rehearsals you can express your interest in auditioning to sing solo lines
in vocal numbers, which will be allocated according to vocal range.
We intend to ask everyone to stay until the end of the evening so that we can announce the outcome
of the auditions. However, if this is not possible we will communicate the cast list on a subsequent
date.
Please do not share outcomes on social media until the cast list has been published on the website.
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Audition Preparation Pack
7 – Characters
NANCY Playing age 25-35
The “tart with a heart”, cares for the boys. Loves Sykes in spite of all his faults. Friend
to all, the audience must love her.
WIDOW CORNEY Playing age 35-55
A sharp-tongued, domineering woman. Knows what she wants and how to get it.
Ruthless but with humour.
MRS. SOWERBERRY Playing age 30 – 50
The “boss” of the Undertaker’s Parlour. Very upwardly mobile, plays people to get the
best for her. Harsh, with humour.
CHARLOTTE Playing age 18 – 25
The Sowerberry’s young daughter. Common, harsh, with humour.
BET Playing age 18 – 25
Nancy’s best friend. Cares for the boys.
MRS. BEDWIN Playing age 30 – 60
A widowed quality lady now Brownlow’s housekeeper. Kind.
OLD SALLY/LADY Playing age 40 – 50
Paupers down on their luck.
OLIVER Age 9 – 13 depending on size, can’t be too tall.
A young gentleman who has ended up in the workhouse.
DODGER Playing age 10 – 15 depending on size, again can’t be too tall, but if older but
relatively short then that will be fine.
Fagin’s brightest pupil. Top of the tree in the Thieves Kitchen, friend to
Nancy, respects and fears Sykes.
FAGIN Playing age 45 – 65
A mature lovable rogue. Uses children to feather his nest but cares for them. Fears
Sykes and the authorities. The audience must laugh with him and care about what
happens to him.
MR. BUMBLE Playing age 40 – 60
A pompous man, very full of his own importance but can’t win with Widow Corney in
Act 2. With humour.
MR. SOWERBERRY Playing age 35 – 50
A hen-pecked man who struggles to “win” with his wife but keeps trying.
SYKES Playing age 30 – 45
Stocky, feared, a villain. Uses brawn rather than brains to get what he wants. Cares
for no-one. Owns Bullseye the English Bull Terrier.
MR. BROWNLOW Playing age 50 – 70
An elderly gentleman with wealth and breeding. True quality. Very kind.
DR. GRIMWIG Any age.
A doctor with humour.
NOAH Playing age 18 – 25
Nasty to those below him. Knows how to “play the game”. Really only interested in
himself. Selfish.
SELLERS No profile, vocal only, requirement defined by Musical Director
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Audition Preparation Pack
8 – Audition pieces
The Olivers and Dodgers can attend the pre-audition rehearsals as listed.
There is no pre-work required for the Workhouse boys/Fagin’s gang. Children auditioning for these
roles will work through the libretto (script), vocals and movement at the workshop.
8.1 – Named characters
Character Libretto/Script Vocal/Song Extract
Oliver 1-6-40 p46/47 No 7 ‘Where is love?’ – whole song
From: " I couldn't sleep....." To: "But I had a
wash yesterday sir."
And with Dodger:
1-5-27 p33/34/35
From: " What yer starin at......" To: "Pleased to
meet you Mister Dawkins"
Artful Dodger 1-6-40 p46/47 No 9 ‘Consider Yourself’ from the beginning
From: " I couldn't sleep....." To: "But I had a to letter E
wash yesterday sir."
And with Oliver:
1-5-27 p33/34/35
From: " What yer starin at......" To: "Pleased to
meet you Mister Dawkins"
Fagin 1-6-39 p45/46/47 No.24 “I’m Reviewing the Situation” from
From:" I'm a real miser" To: "Well, today's yer letter E to the end.
birthday. WASH!"
2-3-17 p74/5
From:" Delighted to see you....." To: "This is
hardly fair, Bill -"
Bill Sykes 2-2-6 p63/64 No.17 “My Name” – second verse from A2
From: “Fagin looks worried....” To: “Yes she to the end.
WILL Fagin!”
Nancy 1-6-44 p50/51 No.18 “As long as he needs me” From the
From: "Who's he Fagin?" To: "I'll go last" beginning but cutting from the bar before D
to the bar before J.
2-3-19 p76/77
From: "I won't stand by....." To:" Don't you
forget it!"
2-5-30 p87
From: "I can't stay....." To: "That I can't tell
you"
Mr Bumble 1-2-8 p14/15 No.5 “Boy for Sale” – Complete.
From:” Yes, you’re quite right.....” To:
“.........Are you hard-hearted, Mrs. Corney?”
2-5-28 p85/86
From: “I have come in to answer.....” To:
“...........by experience, by experience.”
Widow Corney 1-2-8 p14 No.4 “I shall scream” – from B2 to the end
From: "I'm so fond....." To:" Mr. Bumble I shall of the song.
scream!"
2-4-24 p81/82
From: "Cheap! You would have....." To:"
oooooh! You hard-hearted brute!"
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Audition Preparation Pack
Character Libretto/Script Vocal/Song Extract
Mr Sowerberry 1-3-13 p19/20 No.6 “That’s your Funeral” – from the
From: “Well as a matter of fact........” To:” beginning singing all lines to C2.
.........the more I think about it”
Mrs Soweberry 1-3-13 p19/20 No.6 “That’s your funeral” – From the
From: "Dear me! He's very small" To: " How's Beginning to C – singing Mr.Sowerberry’s
that Mr. Bumble?" lines where necessary.
Charlotte 1-4-21 p27/28 Same as adult ensemble
From: "Hello Noah ......" To: "........you are a
one."
Noah Claypole 1-4-21 p27/28 Same as adult ensemble
From: “I’m Mister Noah Claypole.....” To:
“.......as like it or not”
Bet No lib audition No. 14”I’d do anything” – from Letter G to
the end of that chorus (Omitting Oliver’s
replies of “Anything”).
Mr Brownlow 2-2-13 p70 Same as adult ensemble
From: “ Doctor do you notice.....” To:
“.....strangely attached to the child”
2-5-30 p87/88
From: “Did you perhaps know......” To: “I
promise solemnly.”
Old Sally 2-4-26 p83 Same as adult ensemble
From:" Now listen to me....." To: "They called
him_"
Old lady 2-4-26 p83 Same as adult ensemble
From: "It's matron." To: "I'm your friend Annie"
Mrs Bedwin 2-5-29 p86 No.7 “Where is love” from the beginning to
From:" There is a young person......" To: "Sir!" Letter B.
Dr Grimwig 2-2-12 p69 Same as adult ensemble
From: "You are a great deal better........" To:
"......will you have the goodness?"
8.2 – Adult ensemble
Character Libretto/Script Vocal/Song Extract
Street sellers If not auditioning for any other solo vocal
part - No.21 “Who will Buy” – the street call
suited to voice range unaccompanied;-
High Female voice – strawberry seller.
Middle female voice – milkmaid.
Low female voice – rose seller.
Low male voice – knife grinder.
Adult ensemble No.10 “Consider Yourself Encore”
To be sung in groups with solo lines taken
according to range. Details will be given at
pre-audition rehearsals
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Audition Preparation Pack
8.3 – Additional notes about usage of the cast
In this show we are likely to ask some principals to double up as chorus. The only characters who will
definitely not double-up are Fagin and Nancy.
Bumble can go in to Oom-pah if he would like to.
The Sowerberrys will double where they can, for example ‘Consider Yourself’ will be swift for
them so this will be discussed once cast.
Brownlow will double in Act 1, as will Mrs Bedwin, also Oom-pah.
Bet will go into Consider Yourself in her Bet costume, be herself in Oom-pah and double Who Will
Buy.
Sykes will double in Act 1.
Corney will double Consider Yourself and Oom-pah.
Noah and Charlotte will double everything.
Obviously smaller parts like Grimwig, Old Sally and Old Lady will double everything they can also
Any girls cast as workhouse will double up in street scenes such as ‘Who will buy?’ Girls will not
be used in Fagin’s gang.
All scene changes will be undertaken by adults in the company, including principals from other
scenes. The requirement for this, and the people concerned, will be identified once setting has begun
and the necessary people will be informed.
9 – What to wear for rehearsals
Ladies/girls Character shoes (provided at your own expense)
Calf length skirts
T-shirt/top
Men/boys Jazz shoes or pumps/similar (not trainers)
Tracksuit bottoms or loose trousers (not jeans)
T-shirt/top
Boots for boys (or girls cast as boys)
Once we start rehearsals after the auditions, all boys (or girls cast as boys) will need to wear lace-up
boots, which you will need to provide. These should be a dark colour (black or brown) and not a
modern style. If necessary, they will be ‘scuffed up’ so that they look suitably worn and lived-in. If
you have any boots already, bring them along to the first rehearsal and we can confirm that they are
acceptable.
10 – What to bring to rehearsals
Drink - You should always have something to drink with you. There are facilities to refill water
bottles where we rehearse. Parents – we request that you do not provide sugary drinks.
Food - Bring a snack for evening rehearsals (though we do not have any formal breaks). On
Sunday rehearsals you should bring a packed lunch.
Script, music - Bring any script/pages of script and/or music which has been provided.
Adults - scripts and scores will not be available until February and we will plan to provide copies
of what you may need up until this time.
Pen/pencil and notepad – Bring a pen/pencil and small notebook for making notes
We aim to keep the ‘downtime’ during rehearsals to a minimum for the children. However, you may
wish to pack something to read or do just in case. However, to avoid distractions in the rehearsal
room, we request that these are not gaming devices or trading cards.
Please ensure that you have all of your personal belongings with you when you leave rehearsal!...
jumpers, coats, shoes, bags, personal props, script, music etc.!
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Audition Preparation Pack
11 – Full rehearsal schedule
11.1 – Pre-audition music and movement for adult cast
WED 2ND JAN 7.00 – 8.00 For children auditioning for Oliver and Dodger only
8.00 – 9.30 Adults Only
MON 7TH JAN 7.30 – 10.00 Adults Only
The movement audition will be set on this evening for ALL adults
WED 9TH JAN 7.00 – 8.00 For children auditioning for Oliver and Dodger only
8.00 – 9.30 Adults Only
11.2 – Auditions
SUN 13TH JAN 10.00 – 5.00 (We may finish earlier, TBC)
All children for workshop and auditions
MON 14TH JAN 7.00 – 10.00
All adult auditions inc. company (24 max)
11.3 – Rehearsals
WED 16TH JAN 7.00 – 10.00 Music
SUN 20TH JAN 10.00 – 3.00 Workhouse pages 7 – 13
10.00 All Children; 4 male company; 4 female company
12.30 Add Bumble and Corney
MON 21ST JAN 7.30 – 10.00 Workhouse Parlour pages 14 – 18
Bumble and Corney
WED 23RD JAN 7.00 – 8.30 Revision
7.00 – 8.00 Children and adults for Workhouse
8.00 – 8.30 Bumble and Corney
8.30 – 10.00 start Undertaker’s Parlour p19 - 32
Bumble; Oliver; Mr and Mrs Sowerberry
MON 28TH JAN 7.30 – 10.00 Continue Undertaker’s Parlour
7.30 – 8.30 Bumble; Oliver; Mr and Mrs Sowerberry
8.30 Add Noah; Charlotte
WED 30TH JAN ** Children needed until 10.00 **
7.00 – 10.00 Consider Yourself p33 – 38
7.00 Oliver; Dodger; boys; 3 female company;
3 male company
8.30 Add adult company and girls
SUN 3RD FEB 10.00 – 4.00 Thieves Kitchen p39 – 50
10.00 Fagin; Dodger; Oliver; boys
1.00 Add Nancy; Bet
MON 4TH FEB 7.00 – 10.00 Revision
7.00 – 8.30 Consider Yourself
8.30 – 10.00 Undertaker’s Parlour
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Audition Preparation Pack
WED 6TH FEB 7.00 – 8.30 Revise Thieves Kitchen
8.30 – 10.00 Music
MON 11TH FEB 7.00 – 8.30 Thieves Kitchen p50 – 54
Fagin; Oliver; Dodger; Nancy; Bet; boys
8.30 – 10.00 Music
WED 13TH FEB 7.00 – 9.00 Thieves Kitchen p54 – 57
Fagin; Oliver; Dodger; boys
8.30 Add Nancy and Bet for revision
9.00 – 10.00 Bumble and Corney revision
MON 18TH FEB 7.30 – 10.00 Run Act 1 with one team of children
WED 20TH FEB 7.30 – 10.00 Run Act 1 with one team of children
MON 25TH FEB 7.30 – 10.00 OOM-PAH-PAH p58 - 60
Nancy; Bet; Adult company
NO CHILDREN
WED 27TH FEB 7.30 – 10.00 Revise Oom-Pah-Pah and continue
8.15 Add Sykes for MY NAME
9.00 AS LONG AS HE NEEDS ME
MON 4TH MAR 7.30 – 9.00 Capture of Oliver p57
Brownlow; Oliver; Dodger; boys;
Adult company
9.00 – 10.00 p62-64
Fagin; Dodger; Sykes; Nancy; Bet
WED 6TH MAR 7.30 – 10.00 Music and Revision tbc
SUN 10TH MAR 10.00 – 3.00 Who Will Buy p66 – 73
10.00 Mrs. Bedwin; Oliver; Sellers
11.00 Add Brownlow; Grimwig
12.30 Add adult company; girls
2.00 Add Nancy; Sykes
MON 11TH MAR 7.30 – 10.00 Thieves Kitchen p74 – 80
7.30 Sykes; Nancy; Fagin; Dodger; Oliver
Boys NOT called
9.00 Fagin only
REVIEWING THE SITUATION
WED 13TH MAR 7.30 – 8.00 Add boys to p.74
8.00 – 10.00 Revise all of Who Will Buy
MON 18TH MAR 7.30 – 10.00 Revision tbc
WED 20TH MAR 7.30 – 8.45 Workhouse Parlour p 81 – 84
Bumble; Corney; Old Sally; Old Lady
8.45 – 10.00 Brownlows p. 85 – 88
Brownlow; Bumble; Mrs. Bedwin; Nancy
MON 25TH MAR 7.30 – 10.00 London Bridge p. 89 – 93
7.30 Nancy; Sykes; Brownlow; Oliver; Dodger; Mrs.
Bedwin; Adult Company
9.00 Add Fagin
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Audition Preparation Pack
WED 27TH MAR 7.30 – 10.00 Revision tbc
MON 1ST APR 7.00 – 10.00 Finale; Calls; Exit
Full Company
WED 3RD APR 7.30 – 10.00 Run Act 2 with one team of children
MON 8TH APR 7.30 – 10.00 Run Act 2 with one team of children
WED 10TH APR 7.30 – 10.00 Run show with one team of children
MON 15TH APR 7.30 – 10.00 Run show with one team of children
WED 17TH APR 7.30 – 10.00 Stand-by as required. Please ensure your
availability
WED 24TH APR 7.30 – 10.00 Run show with one team of children
MON 29TH APR 7.30 – 10.00 Run show with one team of children
WED 1ST MAY 7.00 - ? Costume Call
Hopefully a short evening
THURS 2ND MAY 7.00 – 10.00 Run in costume with one team of children
FRI 3RD MAY 7.00 – 10.00 Run in costume with one team of children
SUN 5TH MAY Morning Band Call
Evening Tech – Full adult company (NO CHILDREN)
No wigs; make-up; costume
MON 6TH MAY 7.30 – 10.00 Dress Rehearsal 1
TUES 7TH MAY 7.30 – 10.00 Dress Rehearsal 2
WED 8TH MAY OPENING NIGHT! Children should arrive at the theatre at 6.45pm prompt to
be signed in.
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