THE BARN PLAYERS ANNOUNCE AUDITIONS
“HAY FEVER”
By Noel Coward
Directed by Don Carlton

Audition dates: Friday, June 1, 7:00pm to 9:30pm, Saturday, June 2, 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
No callbacks planned
Audition Location: Colonial Church, 7039 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208
Rehearsals begin June 10 and run Sun, Mon, Wed and Thu, 7:00-9:30 p.m. each week until performances.
Performances: July 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 2007 at The Barn Players, 6219 Martway, Mission, KS 66202.

SYNOPSIS -- A very artsy, very eccentric British family, the Blisses, have invited a variety of Londoners to spend the weekend at their country home, west of London. The mother Judith has the itch to return to the stage years after her "hay"days thereon. The father David, a writer, is finishing up his latest project "The Sinful Woman" with all the quirky frustrations of a playwright. The children Sorel and Simon are equally itchy as they reflect on the eccentricities of their family existence, each contemplating their unique houseguests for the weekend ahead. A certain pride in the family "abnormalities" is the Bliss hallmark.

As the guests arrive, they are quickly swept up into the unexpected relationships and household eccentricity -- much to their individual chagrins. Getting gracefully away from the Blisses becomes their challenge.

Additionally, the Bliss chambermaid Clara provides the comic-philosopher relief.

By playwright Coward's own observation, not much happens in "Hay Fever," the charm lying primarily in the dialogue and the skilled wit with which it's delivered. It's a character-driven show to be sure. The cast must be totally comfortable with the standard British dialect as well as have a honed sense of timing and characterization.

THE CHARACTERS --

Judith Bliss -- the mother. Plays age 45-60. A grand dame of the legitimate stage who knows her way around comedy dialog and large style.

David Bliss -- the father. Plays age 45-65. A slightly daft writer given to looking at the girls on the side, but is at heart lovable.

Sorel -- the daughter. Plays 20-30. A lively young lady who invites a London diplomatist as her weekend guest. Enjoys being a Bliss family member for all its offbeat quality.

Simon Bliss -- the son. Plays 23-30. An artist (caricature being his specialty) who reflects on the craziness even as he's a significant part of it.

Clara -- the former theatrical dresser, now housekeeper. Plays 40-60 or so. The droll "observer" who lives in the Bliss household, trying to keep their feet on the ground with dry commentary.

The Visitors:
Richard Greatham -- London diplomat. Plays 35-50. Suave, but ultimately flustered in his weekend at the Bliss home.

Myra Arundel -- A seductess/"vampire". Plays 20-35. Ostensibly invited to the weekend by Sorel. Ends up with the father.

Jackie Corydon -- A flapper (the time is mid 1920s). Plays in her 20s. Invited by the father to "study the character of a flapper."

Sandy Tyrell -- A handsome, athletic young man. Plays 20-30. Judith has invited him as a weekend fling.

WHAT WILL BE WANTED IN THE AUDITIONS:

A comfort with standard British, a lively energy with movement and line delivery, an observable knowledge of the play itself (most libraries have a copy, at least in Coward anthologies) and a demonstrable desire to be in the play. Auditions will be cold readings from the script, although it is recommended that the auditioners familiarize themselves with the play in advance.

MORE INFORMATION: Contact director Don Carlton, 913.236.4845 or Email: dcarlton1@kc.rr.com