Audition​
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Hobson’s Choice by Harold Brighouse
Audition:10/4/2026. Cast 5w, 7m.
Performance: 17-20 June 2026
Director: Alistair Way
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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;
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Maggie Hobson – 30, 379 lines – Hobson’s eldest daughter. Smart, stern, but fair, Maggie is the driving force of Hobson’s shop.
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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.
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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.
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Alice Hobson – 20s, 123 lines – Hobson’s daughter.
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Vickey Hobson – 20s, 103 lines – Hobson’s daughter.
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Albert Prosser – 20/30s, 62 lines – An up-and-coming solicitor, Alice’s suitor.
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Freddy Beenstock – 20/30s, 36 lines – The son of a corn merchant, Vickey’s suitor.
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Mrs Hepworth – 60s+, 23 lines – A rich customer of Hobson’s, very satisfied with Will’s work.
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Timothy ‘Tubby’ Wadlow – 30/40s, 37 lines – Another worker in the employ of Hobson.
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Jim Heeler – 60s, 63 lines – A friend of Hobson’s.
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Ada Higgins – 20s, 18 lines – A young woman who was “tokened” with Will.
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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.
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Audition pieces download:
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*****
‘The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde ‘A trivial play for serious people’.
Performance dates: 15th - 19th September 2026
Audition: Friday 26th June, 7.30pm, Christ Church Hall, Christchurch Rd., Northampton.
Characters:
John Worthing, J.P.
Algernon Moncrieff
Rev. Canon Chasuble
Merriman, Butler
Lane, Manservant
Lady Bracknell
Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax
Cecily Cardew
Miss Prism, Governess
About the play:
Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) is a witty satire of Victorian social conventions, focusing on two idle gentlemen, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff. Both create false personas—"Ernest" and "Bunbury," respectively—to escape dull obligations and woo Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. Confusion ensues before a farcical revelation proves Jack is actually named‘.
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