DOCUMENTAL PRODUCTIONS
CASTING CALL FOR DEVISING WORKSHOP DAY
Documental stories begin with interviews and archive finds. Our productions document British life in all its variety through playful, thought-provoking audio, theatre and musical productions.
We want our shows to open up their arms and welcome the audience in. Increasingly we’re involved in community action; Makaton choirs, songs created with rural communities, podcasts for community stations up and down the country, and a grown-up musical with Makaton signing. Documental is led by writer Lucy Bell and producer Naomi Turner and our associates include award-winning neuro-diverse, carer and disabled creatives from the South West.
https://documentaltheatre.co.uk/
Mary & the Matrons
A new musical about a hazy part of our recent social history…
It’s the start of the Swinging Sixties. Britons have never had it so good. And Dr Mary D. Sheridan is on a nationwide inspection tour of residential training centres for Learning Disabled Children.
Along the way she’ll meet a vivid cast of children, nurses and matrons, all recorded in Sheridan’s lively reports which are now resting in a buff folder at the National Archives, with the children’s names scrubbed out.
Mary and the Matrons tackles a challenging subject with a playful, progressive treatment, original Sixties-style soundtrack, Makaton-signed choreography and an integrated cast.
The story of Mary’s inspection tour will be interwoven with a contemporary narrative - a learning disabled school leaver who wants to lead a band but keeps hitting up against her own and other people’s expectations of what she can do.
This workshop day will be focussed on devising new material for this contemporary narrative, as well as exploring 1st drafts of scenes/songs that have been created for the musical so far. The day will be led by director Sarah Meadows (RIDE, One Jewish Boy) alongside Hijinx’s Artistic Director Ben Pettitt-Wade, and the Writer (Lucy Bell), Composer (Ben Glass) and Producer (Naomi Turner) will also all be present.
Who do we want for our workshop day?
We are seeking a female-identifying actor interested in working in new ways and with new writing. As this is a musical, you must be a strong singer with experience in musical theatre preferable.
We will be working with two additional actors with learning disabilities, so experience of working in an integrated cast is preferable, or alternatively lived experience of / connection to the learning disabled community.
Dr Mary D Sheridan - female, any playing age (comfortable playing up/down), any ethnicity
For most of the time period of the musical (1959-62), Mary is in her early sixties though we may see her at different ages including her girlhood. She was starting to feel her arthritis, though she travelled the length and breadth of the country on her visits, conscientiously recording what she observed at each one.
Mary (“Dolly” to her friends) was a Roman Catholic, born and raised by the docks in Liverpool and - regardless of the husband shortage post WW1 - decided not to marry.
She learnt her trade as a medical officer attending to deprived mill communities in Salford. She is a square peg in a round hole at the Ministry of Health, Whitehall, where the Conservatives are in charge. She has a keen intellect, a thirst for progressive ideas and doesn’t suffer fools. She is adored by children.
Fee
£120 total fee for the day.
Travel will be reimbursed, please send receipts & invoice to the Producer (Naomi) - naomiturner23@gmail.com
Key dates & information:
Devising workshop day: Friday 5th May, 10am - 5pm
Location: Equiano Studio, Bristol Old Vic, King St, Bristol BS1 4ED
HOW TO APPLY
Please send an expression of interest & CV/Spotlight/singing reel to our Assistant Producer Jess jessfulton07@icloud.com.
Briefly tell us about your training/experience as an actor, and please let us know if you have any experience of working in an integrated cast, or have lived experience of / connection to the learning disabled community.
Please make sure you send us your full contact details so we can reach you to let you know the decision.
Deadline of 28th April has been extended - please send EOI ASAP (before 2nd May).
Actors will be notified by 2nd May.