Bad Auditions

Bad Auditions by Ian and Carrie McWethy and was introduced by Director, Alice Ellingham.   It is a cleverly constructed play full of hilarious one-liners when Casting Director of a BBC crime drama, Rupert, has to cast a lead actor as there’s a vacancy due to the unexpected departure of the incumbent.  There are plenty of laughs as well as moments of reflection and pathos. 

Doug Storer (as Rupert) gave a terrific performance as the continually frustrated director who was presented with a bunch of actors who were clearly unsuitable, by Roger, his assistant who had scraped the barrel and put a together a list to try the patience of a saint!   Gabby Walker switched from air head (constantly on her phone) to efficient assistant trying her hardest.   Doug Storer had to appear interested and encouraging when it was clear that the ‘actors’ were unprepared, uninterested, unenthusiastic and definitely unsuitable.   His exasperation grew as the situation got more desperate and Rupert’s anxiety increased with the threat of him being fired and him having to work for his mother, in Croydon.

First came Mike (Alan Garland) who hadn’t printed off the script and Rupert came back to him several times and he had different problems each time.    He was followed by blond and bubbly Charitee (Kate Llewellyn) furiously overacting with sound effects and distractions including a child in the room.    Owen Turnbull as Keegan was excitable and enthusiastic but delivered his speech at a break neck speed with no emotion.  One of the highlights for me was the pompous theatrical bore, Kelin, a deliciously funny thespian in the form of Jim Wheatley who clearly thought tv was beneath him.    Paul Robinson (as Jeff) insisted on inserting dramatic ‘de dums’ to highlight a dramatic point and Carmen (an influencer, played by Sarah Gibbons) didn’t use the script as she said “it’s not my brand”.      We saw the mouth only of Tom Wheatley as Greg who couldn’t keep the camera still.    David (Ian Llewellyn) launched into a commercial script and tried to gain the part with product placement while Phyllis – Margaret Aldgate - who looked the most promising for a while – kept castigating herself that she wasn’t good enough.    Jean Wheatley appeared in costume as a Musketeer which was very funny, especially when she was still in the meeting as the panel discussed her eccentricity.   Andrew Walker also raised laughs with his humorous and inappropriate backdrop.   Completing the ‘bad auditions’ was Maggs Steward as Uma and after a very creditable performance (with the exception of a mispronunciation) dissolved into a breakdown as her attempts failed every time and she became more hysterical while saying “prostitution” in place of “prosecution” and kirkus instead of circus.  All very amusing. 

A good deal of trouble had gone into ensuring each character was appropriately dressed for their parts with props and backgrounds adding to the enjoyment of the evening.    Everyone had obviously put a good deal of thought into putting their stamp on their character.

The essential characterisations of each cast member was good and they all had great facial expressions and body language.  Doug Storer and Gabby Walker had good chemistry and kept the action going.  This was an ensemble production with a cast whose joy at being part of this comedy was evident.   Under the direction of Alice Ellingham this was an innovative and very enjoyable production. Overton Dramatic Society are to be congratulated in pulling off this project while adhering to Covid restrictions and Government guidelines – all appearing in their own homes.  Technically it all went smoothly and that is a great credit to Mark Winter. 

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