The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Book, Music & Lyrics by Rupert Holmes
Producer – Jason Rutledge
Director & Choreographer – Laura Espy
Music Director – Howard Boles
Stage Manager – Jean MacFarland
Production Dates – November 3-5, 10-12, 17-19 at 8pm & November 12 and 19 at 2pm
Rehearsal Days – Rehearsals will generally be held on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-10pm. We may schedule additional music rehearsals on other days, though those will be based on cast availability. The first rehearsal will be the week of August 28.
About the Show: This wildly warm-hearted theatrical experience kicks off when the Music Hall Royale (a hilariously loony Victorian musical troupe) “puts on” its flamboyant rendition of an unfinished Dickens mystery in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The story itself deals with John Jasper, a Jekyll-and-Hyde choirmaster who is quite madly in love with his music student, the fair Miss Rosa Bud. Now, Miss Bud is, in turn, engaged to Jasper’s nephew, young Edwin Drood. Our title character disappears mysteriously one stormy Christmas Eve-but has Edwin Drood been murdered? And if so, then whodunnit? Musical numbers include The Wage of Sin, Perfect Strangers, Both Sides of the Coin, Don’t Quit While You’re Ahead and Moonfall. The giddy playfulness of this play-within-a-play draws the audience toward one of the play’s most talked-about features, which allows the audience to vote on the solution as prelude to the most unusual and hilarious finale!
Audition Dates: Auditions will be held at Vokes by appointment on May 17th and 18th. Please sign up for one time slot: 7-7:30pm, 7:30-8pm, 8-8:30pm, 8:30-9pm 9-9:30pm or 9:30-10pm.
Callbacks will be held on May 22st – approximately 12:30-5pm.
To schedule an appointment, please send an email to droodvokes@gmail.com. Please include:
- Your name
- Your phone number
- The role(s) you are interested in
- The date you wish to audition
- Your preferred time slot
- An alternate time slot in case your first choice is not available
You will then receive a confirmation of your audition time. Please bring a headshot or any clear head and shoulders photo of yourself to your audition appointment. Audition forms will be provided when you sign up for a time slot or in person.
Audition Requirements:
Vocal: Please prepare two contrasting musical theater selections no longer than 2-3 minutes combined. These songs should showcase both your vocal range and comedic skills. Please do not prepare a selection from DROOD. As there is no monologue required, this is your opportunity to show us your acting skills – show us a character in your song! Sheet music must be provided to the accompanist and must be in the correct key – no a cappella. A note on accents – we will be using accents for the show, but will not be requiring actors to speak or sing with an accent until callbacks.
Dance: There will not be any dancing or movement during the preliminary audition. A specific dance call will be held during callbacks for roles where movement is required.
Auditions are by appointment. Contact droodvokes@gmail.com for an audition time or with questions.
Character List:
Please note, this is an ensemble cast. Ages listed are approximations and are the ages the actors are portraying. Ages could be skewed depending on those auditioning.
Chairman William Cartwright/Mayor Thomas Sapsea (M/40+): The leader of the music hall troupe. The Chairman carries the majority of the dialogue and must be quick with a joke and able to improvise. He is in charge of keeping the pace of the show moving. Unexpectedly fills in as the Mayor character in Drood when another actor fails to show up. Some dance experience a plus. Vocal Range: Bari/Tenor (C3-F#4)
Clive Paget/John Jasper (M/35-50): The Royale’s male lead, a devilishly attractive cad, and knows it. Paget is totally in love with his own voice. In Drood, he is the baddie. Choirmaster of Cloisterham Cathedral, he is the uncle and guardian of Edwin Drood. In love with Rosa Bud. Madness lurks beneath smooth exterior. Candidate for murderer and lover. Some dance experience a plus. Vocal Range: Tenor (A2-A4)
Alice Nutting/Edwin Drood (F/25-45): Prima donna and London’s leading male impersonator, charming but, as you might expect, with determination and a lot of ego. Must command the stage. As Edwin Drood, is an attractive, rich, and popular young man who has everything. Vocal Range: Alto w/belt (Bb3-E5)
Deirdre Peregrine/Rosa Bud (F/18-30ish): The not-so-innocent, saucy ingénue of the Music Hall Royale, Deirdre portrays the love interest of Drood, the young, beautiful and apparently fragile Rosa Bud. An orphan, she is betrothed to Edwin Drood, the only man who isn’t in love with her. The engagement was arranged by their fathers. Candidate for detective, murderer, and lover. Vocal Range: Soprano (A3-B5)
Angela Prysock/Princess Puffer (F/50+): Angela has been a favorite of London audiences forever, a staple of the stage. As the mysterious Princess Puffer, Madam, opium dealer and general purveyor of vice of all kinds, she is glamorous in her ruin. Was once Rosa’s nanny. Bawdy and smart. Candidate for murderer and lover. Vocal Range: Alto (F3-C#5)
Janet Conover/Helena Landless (F/20s-30s): Janet is a long-standing member of the acting troupe, asked to play the mysterious Helena Landless who hails from a mysterious foreign colony. Very protective of her twin brother, Neville, because they were mistreated and deprived in their childhood. Becomes dear friends with Rosa. Will need to switch between her British accent and a “geographically untraceable” approximation of an East Asian accent. Must be able to switch between British and “untraceable” accents. Candidate for detective, murderer, and lover. Vocal Range: Alto (G3-D5)
Victor Grinstead/Neville Landless (M/20s-30s): Victor is enjoying his premier performance with the Music Hall Royale. His character, Neville, is Helena’s brother and suffers from the same “geographically untraceable” approximation of an East Asian accent. Neville is immediately smitten by Rosa Bud. He is more proud and passionate than is good for him, and his integrity prevents him from making an insincere apology to Drood. Must be able to switch between British and “untraceable” accents. Candidate for detective, murderer, and lover. Vocal Range: Bari/Tenor (C#3-G4)
Cedric Moncrieffe/Reverend Crisparkle (M/50+): This troupe member is a bit of an open book who plays an archetypal vicar, who is also a bit of a lurker, and was in love with Rosa’s mother. He is the guardian of Neville and Helena. Must be significantly older than Rosa. Candidate for detective, murderer, and lover. Vocal Range: Bari/Tenor (C3-G4)
Phillip Bax/Bazzard (M/20s-50+): Devotee of the theatre, the everlasting understudy, who finally gets his moment. May have quite a major part if the evening turns out that way. A sad sort of clown. Very capable of stealing the whole show. Some dance experience a plus. Candidate for detective, murderer, and lover. Vocal Range: Tenor (A2-G4, opt.B4)
Nick Cricker, Sr./Durdles (M/30+): “Clown Prince of the Royale” who makes the most of every line and plays the drunkard sexton in Drood. Durdles knows more than anyone else about the Cloisterham Cathedral cemetery. Candidate for murderer and lover. Vocal Range: Bari/Tenor (B2-F4)
Nick Cricker, Jr./Deputy (M/Teens-20s): A young street urchin and apprentice to Durdles. Played by a relative of Nick Cricker who is just starting off in show business. The youngest member of the company. Very funny. Candidate for lover. Vocal Range: Bari/Tenor (C3-F4)
James/Jane Throttle, Stage Manager (M or F/Any age): Music Hall Royale’s stage manager. A reliable sort, always at the ready to keep the show running smoothly. Note – if we cast this role as a female, we will change the character’s name accordingly. Vocal Range: Any
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Ensemble: Takers of small parts in the Drood, but along with other non-suspects, these will be important characters throughout, taking much of the responsibility for making the audience participation work, and working individually with sections of the audience. In addition, these characters are vital in creating the atmosphere of the touring theatre company. Strong dance skills a plus. Vocal range: Ideally a SATB mix.
- Isabel Yearsley/Wendy/Bordello Girl/Citizen of Cloisterham (F/18-30ish)
- Florence Gill/Beatrice/Flo/Bordello Girl/Citizen of Cloisterham (F/18-30ish)
- Christopher Lyon/Horace/Puffer Client/Citizen of Cloisterham (M/20-45)
- Allen Eliot/Puffer Client/Citizen of Cloisterham (M/20-45)
