AUDITION NOTICE A Trip Across The Universe Music & Lyrics by The Beatles Performance Dates: Wednesday May 16th Saturday 19th May 2018 Performance Location: Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Rd, London, SE9 5TG Audition Dates: Friday 9 th of February and Sunday 11 th February 2018 First Rehearsal: Tuesday 6 th March 2018 Rehearsals: Production Team Director: Musical Director: Vocal Coach: Producer: Tuesday, Thursday Evenings and Saturday Daytimes Stuart James Hayden Taylor Trish Butterfield Peter Stonnell ABOUT THE SHOW Inspired by Julie Taymor's musical-movie 'Across The Universe' which takes a poignant look back at an inspiring and turbulent time in American culture, A Trip Across The Universe- Music & Lyrics by The Beatles is a concert of some of the most loved songs in the world. Following a successful production of Jonathan Larson s Rent in 2011, director Stuart James wanted to create a new concept production for his Speakeasy Theatre company in Wellington, New Zealand. A Trip Across The Universe was a labour of love that critics said Several performances graced me with goosebumps and having been raised a Beatles' fanatic, I was very impressed and although it may be a
concert style production, the emotion put forth by the performers is incredibly striking. As this is the case, I feel obliged to say that A Trip Across the Universe should be considered more than just a showcase of Beatles' songs. The original Wellington production sold out it s run, got fantastic reviews and gained worldwide interest from Hong Kong School of American Musical Theatre, Papakura Theatre Company and a school production in Durham, England who also performed the show. The Bob Hope Theatre Actor s Company production brings together the original Wellington director Stuart James and vocal coach Trish Butterfield, teamed with musical director Hayden Taylor and producer Peter Stonnell to bring A Trip Across The Universe to life at the Bob Hope Theatre! Featuring a rock 'n' roll score filled with the forever relevant songs written by The Beatles, including 'I Want To Hold Your Hand', 'Come Together', 'I Am The Walrus', 'Blackbird', 'Across The Universe' and many more. A Trip Across The Universe- Music & Lyrics by The Beatles is a very special evening of music which will make Beatles fans young and old tune in, turn off, drop out, drop in, switch off, switch on and explode! WHAT WE RE LOOKING FOR People with talent, energy and enthusiasm! Everyone will have the chance to sing a solo line or song and all voice types and ages will be considered. We re after strong singers and performers who work well in a team. We are specifically looking for a child to sing a solo in Let It Be and older male and female performers to perform songs Come Together, I Am The Walrus and Don t Let Me Down, however all ages will be considered. We re also looking for performers who play their own instruments, circus performers and aerial artists with their own equipment to be featured during the show. Most importantly: just do you and have fun! AUDITIONS Requirements Anyone can audition for any Bob Hope Theatre Actors' Company production. If you are cast, you then need to become a member of the Bob Hope Theatre and pay the 10 membership fee for the current season. Students under the age of 18 are not required to pay a membership fee. All members of the cast are also asked to pay a mandatory 20 show fee, regardless of age. This show fee entitles you to take part in any Bob Hope Theatre Actors' Company production during the current season. So the total cost is 30 for adults and is payable by cash at the first rehearsal or by credit card (telephone the theatre office on 020 8850 3702 open between 10 1pm Tuesday to Saturday).
If you are having issues paying these fees, please email us on tripacrosstheuniversebht@gmail.com as early as possible as we may be able to make special arrangements for you to pay in instalments. Booking an audition Auditions can be booked online through TicketSource. To book your audition slot click here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/220769 We also have an open audition policy where you can simply arrive at the audition venue on the audition day, however those that have booked via TicketSource will be seen first. If you book a slot and can no longer make it please email tripacrosstheuniversebht@gmail.com and we will do our best to find another slot for you, but please let us know as someone may be able to take your unwanted slot. Audition location Friday 9 th February 2018 - St Marys Community Centre, 180 Eltham High Street, SE9 1BJ Sunday 11 th February 2018 - George Tapp Studio, Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Rd, London, SE9 5TG Audition material You can choose your own song for your audition - please choose a pop/rock song that shows your personality and range. A pianist will be available to accompany you so feel free to please bring sheet music in the correct key with you to the audition, a backing track on your phone/ipod or accompany yourself on an instrument of your choosing. Child auditions- Once you ve booked your audition slot through TicketSource, sheet music will be sent to you via email for Let It Be to practice and bring with you to your audition. If you re unable to book your audition via TicketSource, please email tripacrosstheuniversebht@gmail.com to receive the required sheet music. On the day of the audition You will be required have a photo taken at the audition. Do not stress about the photo, this is just so we remember the faces of everyone we ve seen. You will be asked to perform your chosen piece in front of a small panel of the creative team and a Bob Hope Theatre liaison. You will not be asked to sing in front of other auditionees. We will see a lot of people and we will aim to give you as much time as possible, but don t be surprised if we ask you to only sing part of your chosen song; this is only an issue of time, not quality of your performance. For preference, we would like to hear you perform without the music in front of you, but if you don t have time to learn it, don t worry. Audition Slots Slot 1: Friday 9 th February 7.00pm 8.00pm Slot 2: Friday 9 th February 8.00pm 9.00pm
Slot 1: Sunday 11 th February 10.00am 11.00am (Open call child auditions) Slot 2: Sunday 11 th February 11.00am 12.00pm Slot 3: Sunday 11 th February 12.00pm 1.00pm Slot 4: Sunday 11 th February 1.30pm 2.30pm Slot 4: Sunday 11 th February 2.30pm 3.30pm Though we aim to see everyone as per schedule, sometimes things can overrun, so please be patient with us if this occurs. If you decide not to attend or you can no longer make the date and time, please let us know before your slot is due to start so we can give your space to another auditionee. CREATIVE TEAM BIOS Stuart James - Director New Zealand born Stuart has been acting and directing for past fifteen years. His television acting credits include lead roles in television s The Strip, Seven Periods with Mr. Gormsby and UK hit The Tribe. Amoung his stage roles Stuart lists Amos Hart in Chicago, Emcee in Cabaret, Leo Bloom in The Producers, Brad in The Rocky Horror Show, Mark in Rent and Charlie Brown in You re A Good Man Charlie Brown as some of his favourites. As director, Stuart has enjoyed a range of shows including Rent, Zanna Don t!, A Trip Across The Universe, The Witches of Eastwick, Little Shop Of Horrors and Le Burlesque Au Moulin (a stage mash-up of films Burlesque and Moulin Rouge). Since arriving in the UK in 2014, Stuart has found success reviewing for theatre impresario West End Wilma and for well-known producer Kevin Wilson on his blog stuartjamesnz.wordpress.com. In 2016 Stuart joined Centre Stage London and soon joined their committee as Creative Consultant, directing their sell-out four star reviewed production of Fame: The Musical. In November of 2017, Stuart enjoyed his second trip to Skid Row directing WLOS Little Shop Of Horrors. In 2018 Stuart is looking forward to directing Love Happens Here- An LGBTQI Cabaret, A Trip Across The Universe and Grease The Musical (Bridewell Theatre). Follow Stuart on twitter @stuartjamesnz Hayden Taylor - Musical Director Originally from New Zealand, Hayden has worked as a Musical Director, pianist, composer, and arranger for over 12 years. He has a Masters in Music in performance and composition from the University of Victoria in Wellington, New Zealand and was tutored in Musical Directing by West End Musical Director Mark Dorrell. Hayden moved to London in 2016 and musically directed Reefer Madness (SEDOS) and Centre Stage London s well received production of Fame: The Musical and WLOS s Little Shop Of Horrors in 2017. When he s not musically directing Hayden can be found accompanying West End Stars such as Cassidy Janson (Beautiful, Wicked) Past credits include: Little Shop of Horrors (MD, pianist), Rent (MD, pianist), Bloody Broadway 1 & 2 (MD, pianist, arranger), Hot Toxic Love (MD, pianist, arranger), [title of show] (MD, pianist, Larry), Footloose (MD, pianist), Witches of Eastwick (MD, pianist,
conductor), The Full Monty (MD, pianist, conductor), All Shook Up (MD, pianist), Evita (pianist) and Reefer Madness (MD, pianist). Trish Butterfield - Vocal Coach Trish hails from New Zealand, where she fell in love with Music Theatre. She gained her degree in Music Theatre in 2007, and spent a few years on and off the stage before deciding in 2013 to move to London to pursue her dream. She only stayed a few months before heading off on a summer tour of Clockwork with Bourne Leisure and then sailed off on 3 consecutive cruise Lead Production Singer contracts with Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Line. She settled back into London life in 2016, where she joined London Gospel Choir Enchorus and performed in Fame: The Musical with Centre Stage London. This summer Trish had the privilege of performing in Disneyland Paris' Forest of Enchantment as Enchantella, the storyteller followed by the voice of carnivorous mean green mother from out of space, Audrey II for WLOS s Little Shop Of Horrors. When not performing you can find her crafting or in the garden. Peter Stonnell - Producer Peter started dancing at 17 with the Lilian Baylis youth dance company and then went on to Middlesex University to gain a BA HONS in Performing Arts (Dance). He later went on to dance professionally for several Ballet and Cruise ship companies around the world and has also appeared in a few movies and television adverts. In 2012 Peter was fortunate enough to perform in both the Olympic and Paralympic Opening ceremonies. In 2013 Peter joined SEDOS playing a gentleman of Japan in The Hot Mikado and his Chihuahua Bruce played Bruiser in Legally Blonde: The Musical. After a short break due to a hip operation he joined Centre Stage London in 2016 playing the doctor in 9 to 5: The Musical. 2017 was a very busy year when he joined the Bob Hope Theatre Actors' Company performing and acting as dance captain in Jack and The Beanstalk and Cinderella, Fame: The Musical for Centre Stage London, The Bromley Players 50th Anniversary Show and played Stan in Made in Dagenham for The Bromley Players. He is currently rehearsing for The Bromley Players production of Urinetown which is playing The Bob Hope Theatre in April. CASTING We appreciate that it can be frustrating to wait and we will do our best to complete the casting process as quickly as possible. We will let successful auditionees know via phone as soon as we can. Once we have fully confirmed the cast the show, we then send emails to the remaining people who have auditioned. The audition panel is happy to give feedback, but please be prepared for this to take a little while: if feedback is asked for we want to make sure we provide something constructive and meaningful for you to take forward. REHEARSALS & SHOW WEEK The first rehearsal will be on Tuesday 6 th March 2018. This will be a full cast call. Regular rehearsals will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday during the day. Evening rehearsals generally start at 7.00pm, with Saturday rehearsals starting at 11.00am. As a team, we want rehearsals to be fun and enjoyable. We will try not to call everyone to every rehearsal but as we get closer to the show week, the number of rehearsals will increase. We will publish a rehearsal schedule to let you know when you ll be needed and where.
We will be expecting the cast to attend every rehearsal as identified in the rehearsal schedule. We also expect all cast to arrive on time and respect their fellow performers and creative team by remaining as quiet as possible during any down time. Not turning up without notice or reason will result in being removed from a scene or from the show. You will be asked to fill in your availability on an audition form. Please be honest and list everything. Your availability will affect our decision to cast and which numbers you are placed in. Once the rehearsal schedule is published it will be locked down and you will be expected at all rehearsals except those itemised on your availability forms. Performances for A Trip Across The Universe are from Wednesday May 16th Saturday 19th May 2018 with evening performance starting at 7.30pm and a matinee on the Saturday starting at 2.00pm. All cast are required at The Bob Hope Theatre at 6pm on performance dates for warm up and 12.30pm for the matinee. All cast will also be expected to help with get-out after the last performance before the after party! PRODUCTION The Bob Hope Theatre is a registered charity and relies on revenue from ticket sales, sponsorship, and voluntary charitable donations to put on each show. The budget will be very tight and therefore selling every ticket will be essential. If cast, you need to become a member of the Bob Hope Theatre and pay the 10 membership fee for the current season. Students under the age of 18 are not required to pay a membership fee. All members of the cast are also asked to pay a mandatory 20 show fee, regardless of age. This show fee entitles you to take part in any Bob Hope Theatre Actors' Company production during the current season. So the total cost is 30 for adults and is payable by cash at the first rehearsal or by credit card (telephone the theatre office on 020 8850 3702 open between 10 1pm Tuesday to Saturday). If you are having issues paying these fees, please email us on tripacrosstheuniversebht@gmail.com as early as possible as we may be able to make special arrangements for you to pay in instalments. Our cast sells the majority of our tickets to their friends, family and workmates. If cast, we ll be relying on our cast to get involved with activities to help promote the show, including sharing content on social media, appearing in teaser videos and helping with fundraising events. Technical & Backstage Crew Due to the restrictions on cast size because of the constraints of the theatre, you may not be successful this time, but we would love you to still be involved in the Bob Hope Theatre by joining us for socials and we will also be looking for technical and backstage crew for the show. If you think you or someone you know may be interested then just let us know. ABOUT THE BOB HOPE THEATRE Eltham Little Theatre (now The Bob Hope Theatre) was formed on 12th November 1943 to
promote drama, music and allied arts in Eltham and its immediate vicinity. During the early years it was without a permanent home but early in 1946, by arrangement with the Parochial Church Council, ELT found a home in Eltham Parish Hall (the current Theatre) on an annual lease basis. In May 1946 Eltham Little Theatre was registered as a Company, limited by guarantee. The first production, Hedda Gabler, was staged by an affiliated society, The Kerwin Players, in 1946. During the period from 1946 to 1950 there were some 600 individual members and 25 affiliated societies, and a production was staged every other weekend throughout the season. The Theatre s management endeavoured to purchase the building. However, in 1957 it became clear that the asking price was beyond reach despite constant fund-raising efforts. By 1979 funds were low. The Theatre membership was almost resigned to closure. The lease was not renewed, the premises were up for sale and then Bob Hope stepped in! www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @BobHopeTheatre and we ll follow you back!