AUDITION NOTICE FOR Nightwatch - A play by Lucille Fletcher

 

6th to 9th March 2024. All performances at 7.45pm

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Read Throughs: Sunday 12 November at 2pm and Wednesday 15th November at 8pm

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Auditions: Tuesday 28th and Thursday 30th November at 7:45pm

 

Rehearsals will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays and will commence on Tuesday 5th December at 7:45pm

 

Plot:

 

Unable to sleep, Elaine Wheeler paces the living room of her Manhattan townhouse, troubled by unsettling memories and vague fears. Her husband tries to comfort her, but when he steps away for a moment, Elaine screams as she sees (or believes she sees) the body of a dead man in the window across the way. The police are called but find nothing except an empty chair. Elaine’s terror grows as shortly thereafter she sees another body— this time a woman’s—but by now the police are sceptical and pay no heed to her frantic pleas. Her husband, claiming that Elaine may be on the verge of a breakdown, calls in a lady psychiatrist, who agrees with his suggestion that Elaine should commit herself to a sanatorium for treatment.

 

From this point on, the plot moves quickly and grippingly as those involved—Elaine’s old friend and house guest Blanche; the inquisitive and rather sinister man who lives next door; and the nosy German maid Helga—all contribute to the deepening suspense and mystery of the play as it draws towards its riveting and chilling climax.

 

Cast of Characters:

 

(all ages are irrelevant, but some cast should be of a similar age, e.g. Elaine, Blanche and John)

 

Although the play is set in Manhattan, not all accents need to be American. Elaine and John, for example, could be British Expatriates. For those characters marked with an asterisk, an accent would be preferred. If accents prove to be a problem, the play can be set in England, but a lot of references would have to be changed. Helga would still need to have a German lilt.

 

Elaine Wheeler – Protagonist, emotionally unstable, feels betrayed

Blanche Cooke – Elaine’s best friend, nurse, efficient, tailored

Helga* – Wheelers' German maid, suspicious \

Jessica Appleby* – Busybody neighbour, amateur sleuth

Dr Tracey Lake* – Noted psychologist, professional

John Wheeler – Elaine’s husband, stocks and bonds broker, he's all business

Lt. Walker* – Homicide detective, has no time for crazy women

Vanelli* – Italian Brooklyn patrolman, has an eye for art

Sam Hoke* – Owner of local deli, working class, murder is hurting his business

 

This is a cracking play and will have the audience guessing - right up to the final line

 

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