We are looking for two actors with a connection to South West England - who are comfortable with movement, music, and co-creation work - for the next stage of development of a new play.
Conceived by Torbay-based writer Holly Fitzpatrick, LAVENDER is a furiously funny, feminist play about fighting for authorship of a shared past with someone you don’t speak to anymore.
Lucy and Nancy traverse gender, faith, politics and time in a soaring non-linear narrative.
THE PLAY
Devon. A dishevelled Christian and a chain-smoking Marxist. One epic battle to have the final word on a relationship that didn’t happen. To return to the moulding arcades and the decimated railway track and determine where it all began. Or, rather, how it might all end. Time is running out to put this complicated past away for good.
THE PROJECT
Our upcoming project seeks to experiment, connect and immerse the play in the queer landscape of Devon. We begin with a week-long R&D in Hampshire, in which we’ll investigate themes of education and class, leading to a scratch sharing and discussion. Then, in partnership with Villages in Action, we will undertake creative residencies in Devon. This part will conclude with performances at Exeter Phoenix.
We are looking for two actors who are comfortable with singing and movement. We particularly encourage applications from actors who have lived experience of LAVENDER’s themes, and are passionate about our mission to give voice to LGBTQIA+ communities in the South West.
COMMITMENT
For our R&D and sharing in Hampshire:
10am to 6pm on 12-16 April
12pm to 9pm on 12 May
For our Creative Residency Tour in Devon:
9am to 5pm on May 19-22
9am to 5pm on May 26-29
9am to 5pm on June 2-5
9am to 5pm on June 9-10
The rate is £150 per day for 22 days, so a total fee of £3300. Accommodation and travel for the Hampshire R&D and sharing is fully covered.
Applicants must have a base in the South West, ideally Devon, for the duration of the Creative Residency tour. Travel expenses for this phase will be confirmed where relevant upon casting.
CHARACTERS
Lucy. she/her. Curious, bubbly, warm, but cunning, sometimes to the point of being infuriatingly enigmatic. As she grows older, her faith in her middle-class God disintegrates pathetically alongside her patience… and her optimism.
Playing age: 16-22. Ethnicity: any. Accent: Southern/South West.
Nancy. she/they. A bull in a china shop. Resolute, intelligent, charismatic - the disruptor, the songwriter, the chainsmoker, last one standing in a party.
Playing age: 16-22. Ethnicity: any. Accent: Southern/South West. Working class and GNC, ENBY and actors under the trans umbrella are encouraged to apply.
Before applying, please read an extract of the play here to understand more about the characters and their dynamic.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send the following by 12pm on the 24th March:
A tape of a modern monologue you know well
A tape of you singing a song you know well (musical influences for the play include Mitski, Fiona Apple, Seth Lakeman, folk and hymnal music)
Your CV or resume
A couple of short sentences about you, your work, and why our project appeals to you
For any questions, please get in touch. We welcome other application methods. We also want to highlight the work needed to understand and address legacies of violence in this industry so we we strongly welcome applications from those who identify as:
D/deaf and/or disabled
Neurodiverse
Working-class, benefit class, criminal class and/or underclass
Global majority*
Migrant
LGBTQIA+
*This includes people of Black Caribbean, Black African, South Asian, East Asian, South East Asian, Middle Eastern, Arab, Latinx, Jewish, Romany and Irish Traveller heritage.
All applications and questions should be directed to playlavender@gmail.com
Full application pack:
DEADLINE: 12PM, THU 24TH MARCH.