Audition notice-First bus to ballinabeg
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First Bus to Ballinabeg by Sean Hume Director: Jenny Lloyd-Lyons Audition date: 6th November 2022, 2pm Performance dates: 3rd to 11th February 2023
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One of the winners of the 2021 new playwriting competition – this is an opportunity to bring this beautifully crafted play to life for its debut at The Stables.
A black comedy set in the far West of Ireland in around 2000, this story involves lost loves and the darker side of Ireland’s recent history, all revolving around a family member returning for a funeral. The eldest son Finnian (Finn) ran away from his violently abusive father, spent time in America and now lives in Dublin as a happily gender-fluid individual. His return raises hackles among some of the community as well a mixture of memories for his siblings, the adoring younger sister May and the elder sister Bride now flirting with a religious life. Meanwhile, the universally loathed father still manages to disrupt his own funeral, causing almost as much chaos dead, as he did when alive.
The characters are beautifully observed, and the plot veers between poignant and comical!
Characters
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Characters |
Age range: |
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Finian |
20s/30s |
Large role, on stage most of the play. Son of the family, gender-fluid. Finn regards himself as a man who sometimes dresses and behaves as a woman. Close to sister Bride. |
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Bride |
20s/30s |
Large role. Eldest daughter, lovely scenes with Finian where they try to come to terms with their past. In love with Malachy. |
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Madge Wood |
60s |
Large role. Neighbour, the Priest’s housekeeper, long standing, supportive friend and mother figure to the familyand very accepting of Finian’s life choice. |
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Mrs Reilly |
60s+ |
Small role but makes a big impact! Village zealot – represents the stubbornness and intolerance of the old-style community.Refers to Finian now as “disgusting wee sinner” |
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May |
20s |
Medium-sized role. Youngest daughter of the family, warm, loving, less affected by their dysfunctional upbringing. |
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MalachyPatterson |
30s |
Appears in 2nd Act – on stage for whole Act. Local boy made good. Kind, in love with Bride but can’t reveal it until the end. |
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Constable Garvan |
60s+ |
Represents the older established, but more tolerant attitude of the community, opportunity for humour. |
Ages quoted are ideal.
Audition Sections
We may not get round to all of these on the day.
The focus in each section is mainly on the characters in bold.
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Characters |
From |
To |
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Finian Bride |
Pg 15 – (after Madge’s exit) Bride: We’re still not free are we?… |
Pg 18 – Bride: I only wish! |
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Finian May |
Pg 46 – May: Well that went off better… |
Pg 48 – Finian: So you do read proper stuff! |
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Finian Madge Malachy Bride |
Pg 88 – Finian: What do the law want with the twins? |
Pg 91 – Bride: Ach Janey, come here, you! |
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Finian |
Pg 1 – (entrance “A slim young woman…” |
Pg 2 – (He shakes out the hair, strokes it and puts it back on) |
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Bride Malachy |
Pg 81 – Bride: Jeez, how much longer? |
Pg 83 – Bride: ….shot of the Da’s for God’s sake! |
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Madge Constable Garvan |
Pg 73 – Cons.G: She can be an exhausting woman… |
Pg 76 – …trout waiting for you back down the lane. |
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Madge Finian Bride May |
Pg 29 – Madge: I need a Whisky-Mac… |
Pg 31 – …if I wasn’t looking after him. |
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Mrs Reilly Finian Bride |
Pg 21 – Mrs R: What in the name of all that’s Holy… |
Pg 23 – Mrs R: Though he’s none of the learning, sure enough. |
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Mrs Reilly Madge Constable Garvan |
Pg 71 – Mrs R: So! So what’ve you done with it? |
Pg 72 – Cons G: Fair enough. |
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Mrs Reilly Malalchy Finian Madge |
Pg 85 – Mrs R: So you do still have it here then! |
Pg 87 – Madge: Be off with you! |
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May Finian Bride |
Pg 25 – May: Oh,..my,…God! |
Pg 27 – Bride: Imagine. |
Irish accents – please be prepared to give it a go at the audition. Coaching can be arranged later if required. Scripts– I can forward a pdf link, or hard copies are available from The Stables box office.
Rehearsals will start soon after the audition with a short break over the Christmas period.
Look forward to seeing you at the audition!
Jenny Lloyd-Lyons
07864 565153
