Audition
Calendar Girls by Tim Firth
Audition:6/2/2026. Cast 9w,4m.
Performance: 22-25 April 2026
Director: Graham Breeze
​​
Calendar Girls is based on the true-life story of the ladies of the Rylstone Women's Institute in Yorkshire and how they set out to raise funds to replace a sofa on the cancer ward of a local hospital to commemorate a friend's husband, by posing nude for an "alternative" calendar. Their story inspired the 2003 British comedy film starring Helen Mirren, Julie Walters, John Alderton, and Penelope Wilton.
When Annie's husband John dies of leukaemia, she and best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room. They manage to persuade four fellow WI members to pose nude with them for an "alternative" calendar, with a little help from hospital porter and amateur photographer Lawrence. The news of the women's charitable venture spreads like wildfire, and hordes of press soon descend on the small village of Knapeley in the Yorkshire Dales. The calendar is a success, but Chris and Annie's friendship is put to the test under the strain of their new-found fame.
Auditions
​
*A word on nudity
Everyone will be aware of the Calendar shoot that is the best-known aspect of the Calendar Girls’ story. It is essential that the audience see nothing that we do not wish them to see in this scene. It will be carefully choreographed and will require a great team effort from all those involved to ensure that each person’s modesty is protected by her fellow actors. The characters who are part of this scene are marked with an asterisk *
10w/4m. All ages indicated are playing ages.
The Girls
Chris, * 50s. Wife of Rod. Lively, friendly, likes being the centre of attention - you want Chris at your party. Without Chris in her life, Annie would be better behaved, her life less fun. The two of them are like naughty schoolgirls. She is the driving force behind the calendar, with ambitions beyond which puts a strain on her friendship with Annie.
Annie, * 50s. Married to John. A calm, empathetic woman, dislikes conflict but always ready to join in mischief. Without Chris in her life, Annie would be better behaved, her life less fun. The two of them are like naughty schoolgirls. She is devastated by her husband, John’s death.
Cora, * around 40. The WI’s pianist. Witty and funny. Cora’s past is the most eclectic; her horizons were broadened by going to college and she came back to Yorkshire pregnant. She is the joker in the pack but never plays the fool. Cora doesn’t need to sing like a Diva but must be able to sing well enough to start the show with Jerusalem and sing snatches of other songs/Christmas carols when required.
Jessie, * late 60s/70s. A retired teacher, but still a teacher. An inspirational woman who makes the most of life. Loyal but doesn’t suffer fools gladly.
Celia, * age anything 35-50. The fact that Celia is in the WI is the greatest justification for its existence. A very glamorous woman more at home in department stores than in a church hall, she looks as if she has drifted in from another world. There is a rebelliousness in Celia which sets her apart from the vapid materialism of her peer group.
Ruth, * 40s. eager to please and keep everyone happy; emotionally abused by her husband, she goes on a journey from false self-confidence to genuine self-confidence.
Marie, 50s. Chair of the WI, which gives her the status she craves There is a lingering part of Marie that would love to be on the calendar.
Lady Cravenshire, 60s. A local dignitary. She really doesn’t mean to be so patronizing, but the WI girls seem from another world, that of her estate workers - role can be doubled with Brenda Hulse.
Elaine, 20s. A beautician and make-up artist at the washing powder photoshoot. She doesn’t mean to be so patronising but she is. Her clinical white uniform and well made-up face express the modern world she lives in.
Brenda Hulse, 40s-50s. A small cameo comedy role. A visiting speaker to the WI who is less than inspiring on the subject of broccoli! Very gushing about a rival WI - – role can be doubled with Lady Cravenshire
​
The Boys
John, 50s. Annie’s husband. A man who is kind, generous and liked by all - when he dies, (towards the end of Act1), the loss is felt by everyone.
Rod, 50s. Chris’s husband and John’s mate. A man who loves life with the unpredictable Chris. He has a deadpan humour and he is committed to making the shop a success
Lawrence, late 20s. A shy rather nervous young man with wit and spirit. Focussed on his art – photography. When he arranges the calendar shots he is close to female nudity but sees only the photo – role can double with Liam
Liam, late 20s. Director of the photoshoots for washing powder. He’ has a slight weariness at having to deal with these women, but he’s a professional. For Liam, this photoshoot is a job, and not a job he wanted – role can double with Lawrence.
​
​
*****
​
​
Hobson’s Choice by Harold Brighouse
Audition:10/4/2026. Cast 5w, 7m.
Performance: 17-20 June 2026
Director: Alistair Way
​
The two youngest daughters of cantankerous bootmaker Charles Hobson are eager to marry, and he’s more than willing to let them, until he learns of marriage settlements. Not wanting to pay any large sum, he refuses to let them be wed. Maggie, Hobson’s eldest daughter and talented businesswoman, has her own plans, and it involves the timid but gifted shoemaker, Will Mossop.
Performing from the 17th to the 20th of June 2026, at Christchurch Hall, ‘Hobson’s Choice’ has the following characters;
-
Maggie Hobson – 30, 379 lines – Hobson’s eldest daughter. Smart, stern, but fair, Maggie is the driving force of Hobson’s shop.
-
Charles Hobson – 60s+, 288 lines – The notorious miser who employs, but doesn’t pay, his three daughters. An alcoholic, he’s only willing to spend money down the pub than on much else.
-
William Mossop 30s, 177 lines – An unambitious and shy, but gifted, worker in the employ of Hobson. Domineered by everyone, he’s happy not causing trouble.
-
Alice Hobson – 20s, 123 lines – Hobson’s daughter.
-
Vickey Hobson – 20s, 103 lines – Hobson’s daughter.
-
Albert Prosser – 20/30s, 62 lines – An up-and-coming solicitor, Alice’s suitor.
-
Freddy Beenstock – 20/30s, 36 lines – The son of a corn merchant, Vickey’s suitor.
-
Mrs Hepworth – 60s+, 23 lines – A rich customer of Hobson’s, very satisfied with Will’s work.
-
Timothy ‘Tubby’ Wadlow – 30/40s, 37 lines – Another worker in the employ of Hobson.
-
Jim Heeler – 60s, 63 lines – A friend of Hobson’s.
-
Ada Higgins – 20s, 18 lines – A young woman who was “tokened” with Will.
-
Dr MacFarlane – 30s+, 58 lines – A Scottish doctor who tends to Hobson.
Ages are a guideline and are flexible, and some roles maybe doubled up (Vickey/Ada, and Freddy/Dr MacFarlane). Dr MacFarlane would require a Scottish accent.
There will be some kissing between Maggie and William, and likely between Alice/Albert and Vickey/Freddy as well.
​
Audition pieces download:
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​