THE TEMPEST by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, directed by Beki Stevenson
Readthrough and Auditions:
Beki will be hosting a workshop on the April clubnight, Monday 13th April 2026 at 1930h in the club rooms.
Auditions will take place on Wednesday 15th April at 1930h - provisionally Beki can also do auditions after the workshop and possibly on Thursday 16th. Please contact Beki to arrange an audition date if you can’t attend any of these sessions or for an informal chat.
Production dates are Thu 23 - Sat 25 July and Wed 29 July - Sat 1 August 2026.
CHARACTERS (Link to a copy of the script is below)
Prospero – Male - Playing Age 50s+
The rightful Duke of Milan, overthrown by his brother Antonio. Shipwrecked on the island with his daughter, Miranda. A powerful sorcerer who commands spirits and manipulates events to restore his dukedom. Audition – Epilogue
Miranda – Female - Playing Age 18
Prospero’s daughter, raised in isolation on the island. Innocent yet wise, she shows compassion, wonder, and courage. Audition – opening speech of Act 1 Scene 2
Ariel – Gender Neutral - Playing Age - Any
A spirit of air, music, and magic. Freed by Prospero from imprisonment in a tree, Ariel serves faithfully but longs for freedom. This will be a very physical character. Audition “You are 3 men of sin” speech Act 3 Scene 3
Caliban – Gender Neutral - Playing Age Any
The island’s native. Resentful of Prospero’s domination, he seeks to overthrow Prospero with the help of Stephano and Trinculo. This will be a very physical character. Audition – opening speech of Act 2 Scene 2
Ferdinand – Male - Playing Age 20s
Prince of Naples and son of Alonso. Noble, patient, and sincere, he wins Miranda’s love and proves himself worthy through humility and loyalty. The romantic lead. Audition – opening speech of Act 3 Scene 1
Alonso – Male or Female – 50s+
King of Naples, who conspired with Antonio to overthrow Prospero. Burdened with guilt and grief for his (seemingly lost) son Ferdinand. Audition – “O, it is monstrous, monstrous!” speech Act 3 Scene 3
Sebastian – Male or Female – Playing Age 30s+
Alonso’s brother. Treacherous, mocking, but easily led into other’s plans. Persuaded by Antonio to plot murder, he is conniving and conspiratorial. Audition – “You were kneeled to and importuned otherwise” Speech Act 2 Scene 1
Antonio – Male or Female – Playing Age 40s+
Prospero’s brother and usurper of Milan. Cunning, ruthless, and unapologetic. His has a cold ambition and unchecked desire for power. Audition – “Nor I; my spirits are nimble.” Speech Act 2 Scene 1
Gonzalo – Male or Female – Playing Age 50s+
An honest, loyal Neapolitan counsellor. Ensured Prospero and Miranda’s survival by supplying them in exile. Optimistic and philosophical, he dreams of utopias and provides moral contrast to the corruption of other characters. Audition – Opening Speech of Act 2 Scene 1
Stephano– Male or Female – Playing Age Any
A drunken butler. Boastful and comic, he imagines himself a king when flattered by Caliban. His enacts a foolish scheme to overthrow Prospero. Audition – “What's the matter? Have we devils here?” Speech Act 2 Scene 2
Trinculo – Male or Female – Playing Age Any
A jester, cowardly yet witty. Partner in Stephano’s absurd plot, they provide the comic relief of the play. Audition – 1st speech of Act 2 Scene 2
Boatswain – Male or Female – Any Age
A blunt, practical sailor. Commands the ship in the storm. Only in the first scene but will double as a spirit in later scenes. Audition - ‘None that I more love than myself’ Speech Act 1 Scene 1
Iris, Ceres, Juno – Male or Female – Any Age
Goddesses conjured in Prospero’s masque to bless Miranda and Ferdinand’s union – will double with the mariners. Audition – Iris’ Speech Act 4 Scene 1
Mariners – Male or Female – Any Age
Sailors under the Boatswain – In the first scene only but will double as the spirits in later scenes. Audition – Same as the Goddess
Apart from the characters of Prospero, Miranda and Ferdinand I am open to casting any gender in all other roles. I am open to being flexible with the playing ages for the right person.
Please contact Beki if interested / more information concerning any of the above roles or about backstage roles.
CHECK PLEASE by JONATHAN RAND, directed by Chloe Reid (One-Act)
GIRL:
An optimistic young woman navigating the world of first dates with humour and resilience. Though the experiences are often disastrous, she remains hopeful and determined not to give up on love. Playing age mid-20s–30s, as appropriate alongside other characters.
GUY:
A good-natured young man equally committed to finding connection despite a string of awkward and bizarre first dates. Warm, sincere, and slightly bewildered by the dating landscape. Playing age mid-20s–30s, as appropriate alongside other characters.
MALE DATES:
A multi-role track comprising six distinct characters, each bringing heightened comedy and bold character choices. Performers should demonstrate versatility in accent, physicality, and characterisation. Roles include exaggerated personalities such as an egotistical romantic, a wildly impractical age-gap partner, a closeted method actor, an intensely nervous date, and other delightfully eccentric individuals.
FEMALE DATES:
A multi-role track comprising six contrasting characters that showcase strong comedic range and transformation. Roles include an over-enthusiastic football fan, a meticulous planner, a kleptomaniac, a very elderly woman, a character with shifting personalities, and a mime. Physical comedy and clear differentiation between roles are essential.
Readthrough/Auditions: Monday 11th May (May Club Night)
Show: Sedgefield Drama Festival - week beginning Tuesday 8th September. Adjudication on Saturday 12th September.