ENCHANTED APRIL
Written by Matthew Barber,
Based on the novel by Elizabeth von Arnim
Directed by Lauri MacMillan
Feeling lost in the shadows of marriage and forgotten in the rush of 1920s post-war society, two London housewives pool their savings to rent a villa in Italy for a ladies-only holiday away, reluctantly recruiting a pair of ?very different upper-class women to share the cost and the experience. Together under the ?Mediterranean sun, the ?tranquil beauty of their surroundings?, and the care of the feisty, typically Italian housekeeper and gardener, ?the four women eventually come together. However, when the men unexpectedly begin to arrive, the axis tilts, the balance shifts, which opens the door to? rediscovering shared hope and love.
Performance dates/times:
November 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 8 p.m.
November 4 and 11 at 2 p.m.
Auditions on
Sunday, August 12th at 6:00 PM
Monday, August 13th at 7:00 PM
(Possible callbacks on Tuesday, August 14th)
SIDES AVAILABLE AT AUDITION
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
Lottie Wilton: Female, 35-45 British Accent
Lotty is a sweet but restless woman who feels there is more to life than she is experiencing. With no children she has little to keep her occupied except her house and wifely duties to her conventional husband. She embodies openness, uncertainty and vulnerability. The idea of an Italian holiday is her Holy Grail. She brings joy and hope to the mix of the women and is most attuned to the transformation possible in the process.
Rose Arnott: Female, 35-45 British Accent
Rose is a cautious and devout woman in an unhappy marriage. Emotionally taut and deeply sad, the loss of a child still haunts her, and she restrains her feelings constantly. When she and Frederick were married he was a poor writer. Now, he writes popular sordid novels of which she does not approve. She is called a "disappointed Madonna” by other characters.
Lady Caroline Bramble: Female, 25-35 British Accent
& Speaks Italian
An English socialite, haunted by loss and the exhaustion of the London social scene. She is of the manor born and a heralded beauty, she is also used to being pampered and petted, Italy changes Caroline’s resistance to real relationships and allows her another chance at love.
Mrs. Graves: Female, 60-70 British Accent
A London widow of high moral standards and expectations, she clings to the past with fervor and stubborn intention. Italy allows her to open up, connect to others and show a softer, kinder side.
Mellersh Wilton: Male, 45-50’s British Accent
Lottie’s husband and a solicitor, forceful, frugal, pompous and typically English. He is extravagant about food and lacks patience for his wife’s “foolishness”. Italy gives him a new vantage point on her charms and re-establishes a kindly streak within him.
Frederick Arnott: Male, 45-50’s British Accent
Rose’s husband and an author. He writes salacious novels under a nom de plume, spends a great deal of time away from his wife and knows Lady Caroline in his “other” world. Italy returns Frederick to his wife and re-establishes the romance of their past.
Anthony Wilding: Male, 30-40 British Accent & Speaks Italian
A charming but lonely artist and the owner of the villa. Wilding is initially smitten with Rose, whom he assumes is a war widow, but eventually finds love with Lady Caroline. A kind, generous and good man.
Costanza: Female, 40-60
the Italian housekeeper, required to perform her role in Italian, she is feisty, funny, and full of fire.
Domenico: Male, 40-50’s
the Italian gardener, required to perform his role in Italian, easygoing and content.
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