Reading & Auditions

Swan Auditions

Readings and auditions take place at the Swan Theatre. Readings are open to all, members and non-members alike, and provide an excellent opportunity for members to introduce their friends to The Swan and all that we do.

Following a play reading, audition pieces are given out. There are usually 2 audition dates, however if you are unable to make either date you may be able to arrange an alternative with the Director. Auditions are relaxed and fun and rarely involve the learning of an audition piece, although familiarity with it and some characterisation are expected. You will be informed as soon as possible if you have been successful in securing a part, usually once the whole play is cast.

It is not Swan policy to telephone people and invite them to audition so, if you would like to be in a show, please do come along to the reading and the auditions.

The rehearsal period is approximately 8 weeks of 2-3 rehearsals per week, although this may increase over the 2 weeks and the weekend preceding performance.

Quiz – the Swan’s March 2027 production 

Performance Dates: 13th March matinee & 15th-20th March 2027. Rehearsals will start in the 2nd week December 2026

Reading: Thursday 22nd October at 7.30pm in the Green Room, Swan Theatre

Auditions: Sunday 25th October at 2.00pm and Thursday 29th October at 7.30pm in the Green Room, Swan Theatre

Synopsis:

James Graham’s thrilling play combines the tension of a courtroom with the energy of a game show as a winning contestant on Britain’s Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? stands trial for cheating. The nation is gripped by the sheer audacity of the plot to snatch the £1,000,000 jackpot

But were Major Charles Ingram, his wife and a coughing accomplice really guilty?

It’s time to let the audience decide.

Casting:

Playing ages are rough guides. Multi-roles are suggestions. Multi roles also form Ensemble, occupying contestant seats around edge of set & become journalists, army officers, studio technicians, quiz show assistants, marketing executives, police officers, pub customers. There are 30-40 small roles, 29 main roles & 39 scenes. The characters in the play are as follows:

  • DIANA INGRAM 36-year-old quiz fanatic, Charles’ wife (large solo role) Ruthless, manipulative, determined, power-hungry
  • RACHEL DA COSTA second contestant on the show & ensemble, 20s/30s Wants money to get married (small part) & ensemble
  • CLAUDIA ROSENCRANTZ commissioner at ITV
  • PRODUCTION MANAGER on show (F 30s-60s medium role) No nonsense, straight talking
  • RUTH SETTLE head of press for the show
  • ALYN MORICE Professor of Respiratory Medicine & ensemble (any gender)
  • SONIA WOODLEY QC, barrister for Ingrams (large solo role F 50s/60s) Experienced, capable
  • CHARLES INGRAM 38-year-old, army major accused of cheating (large solo role) Competent in the military, out of his depth with the scandal. Pressured into conspiracy or genuinely innocent?
  • NICHOLAS HILLIARD QC barrister for the Crown (large role M 50s/60s) Experienced, capable
  • QUIZMASTER a pub quiz host (any age)
  • JOHN DE MOL TV producer & ensemble
  • CHRIS TARRANT TV/radio personality, host of quiz show. (Large part, 40s-60s Plausible impression – not a caricature) Tarrant could be a solo part with 4 other parts below played by different actor(s)
  • WARM-UP comedian 40s-60s
  • JIM BOWEN Bullseye game show host (caricatures welcome) 40s-60s
  • DES O’CONNOR Take Your Pick! game show host (caricatures welcome) 40s-60s
  • LESLIE CROWTHER The Price is Right show host (caricatures welcome) 40s-60s & ensemble
  • PAUL SMITH Celador CEO (large role 40s-60s) Staked personal finances on success of WWTBAM
  • PADDY SPOONER frequent contestant on the show, runs syndicate helping people get on show small role 40s-70s) Menacing with chip on shoulder
  • ADRIAN WOOLFE head of marketing for the show & ensemble
  • TECWEN WHITTOCK 40s-50s accused co-conspirator with Ingrams (medium role) Welsh accent, University Lecturer, tentative, nervous energy.
  • MAJOR GEN. ROBERTS Charles Ingram’s commanding army officer, MOD (small role M40s/50s)
  • DAVID BRIGGS TV/radio producer (medium role) co-creator of WWTBAM with high hopes & ensemble
  • ADRIAN POLLOCK Diana’s brother (medium role M 40’s) Quiz fanatic, neurotic? Financial problems
  • MARK BURNETT TV producer & ensemble
  • JUDGE RIVLIN presiding over the case 40s-70s
  • DAVID LIDDIMENT director of programmes at ITV (small role 40’s-70s) Sceptical of WWTBAM format
  • DS WILLIAMSON Met Police lead investigator on the case (small role, any gender)
  • ELSIE TANNER Coronation St. 40’s-70’s (caricatured any gender)
  • HILDA OGDEN Coronation St. 40’s-70s (any gender, caricature)

If you want Audition Pieces or if you can’t make either date or would like to contact us beforehand to discuss further, please contact either of us: Director Jane McKenna janemckenna33@hotmail.com  Phone/WhatsApp 07880 637931 Production Manager, Sarah Ambrose: sarah.valentine1@yahoo.com

We look forward to seeing you at the reading.

Jane and Sarah