Performances 23-28 June 2025 in the Auditorium

Directed by Peter Konowalik

Adapted from Jean Anouilh’s play Invitation to the Castle (1947), the play is a whimsical jaunt of love and matchmaking. Set in a winter garden outside the ballroom of a luxurious chateau immediately before and during a ball, the play is an enchanting comic tale which centres on wealthy twin brothers who vie for the heart of the same beautiful young woman, all under the watchful eye of their wise old aunt. The twins (the charming scoundrel Hugo and the diffident Frederic) are played by the same actor. The two men are absolutely distinct, so there should never be any doubt as to which of them is on stage at any time.

A poor but lovely dancer Isabelle has arrived at the invitation of the scheming Hugo. Hugo believes that Frederic loves the wrong woman - the manipulative millionairess Diana - and wants to use Isabelle to break up the engagement. Isabelle is instructed to hide her identity (and melodramatic mother) and play the part of a wealthy socialite.

Lady India, Hugo’s eccentric cousin, is the mistress of Diana’s father Messerschmann, but carrying on a secret romance with Messerschmann’s secretary, Patrice. And Madame Desmortes, the hostess of everyone, has just about had it with everyone’s secrets. A light confection of mistaken identities and heartbreak schemes, the play flows merrily along with abundant coincidences and deftly-orchestrated entrances and exits especially by the identical twins, Hugo and Frederic, as characters vie for control with multiple plot twists ravelling and unravelling around the central theme of a Cinderella finding her true love at an unexpected ball.

Described as a Charade with Music, RING ROUND THE MOON is not merely a romantic romp. Beneath the frothy action, darker undercurrents swirl as characters' ambitions are fuelled by social class animosity and motives are tangled by emotional upheavals. The dialogue in Ring Round the Moon is entirely social; it contains no soliloquies. It is always directed at someone, most often taking the form of persuasion,coercion, or attack.

We are setting the play between the wars, giving our esteemed Costume Department the opportunity to show off their best ball gowns and period costume.

Auditions will take place at the theatre on Tuesday 11th March from 7.15pm. If you are unable to attend that night and wish to be considered for an audition, please let the director know as another night may be possible subject to casting advisor availability. Due to the size and on stage time of some parts – particularly Hugo/Frederick, Isabelle and Diana - it will be challenging to accommodate any lengthy absence through holidays etc. If you know you may be away during the rehearsal period, please speak to one of the casting team before the auditions.

Printed copies of audition pieces are available in a folder in the drawer behind the Box Office desk and also from the Director. The folder also contains a copy of the script and a more detailed synopsis of the play which must not be taken away from the Theatre. Audition pages can be sent digitally on request to the Director or copied from these master copies while you are in the Theatre. If you require audition pieces to be provided in alternate formats ask at least 3 days before the audition itself.

It is recommended you review the audition pieces well in advance of the audition. The format of the audition will be small group sight readings but be assured no-one is expected to learn anything by heart until after they are cast!

For expressions of interest or questions etc. please contact the Director here.

CHARACTERS (playing ages are suggested)

Hugo & Frederic (30s)

Twin brothers, nephews of Mme. Desmortes. Note this is a physically demanding role which requires the actor to channel the disparate characteristics of each brother. Hugo is a confident ladies man. A charming, manipulative and heartless scoundrel who sees himself as the enemy of upper-class vanity. Inept with women, the "good, kind, sensible and intelligent", Frederic lacks confidence and is self- deprecating. He constantly fawns over Diana from whom he cannot bear to be separated for a moment – she describes him as a "lost little dog".

Audition: As Frederic - p3 ("Diana! How good to see you again" to p4 ("absolutely anything")

As Hugo – p1 ("How about last night") to p2 ("Thank you sir")

As both –p34 "(that was perfect") to p35 (the Double exits)

Isabelle (20s)

An innocent and young impoverished dancer thrust into wealthy society by the cynical Hugo to attract the attention of his twin brother away from Diana.

Audition: p34 "(that was perfect") to p35 (the Double exits)

Diana Messerschmann (30s)

Messerschmann’s attractive daughter. She is the aloof love object of Frederic and the thwarted pursuer of Hugo.

Audition: p3 ("Diana! How good to see you again" to p4 ("absolutely anything") and p40 ("Father") to p41

("Help me Father. Please help me")

Patrice Bombelles (40s-50s)

Male secretary to the wealthy industrialist Messerschmann, he is having a secretive affair with Messerschmann’s mistress’s (Lady India). So preoccupied to keep this a secret, he is constantly agitated, often forgetting or missing the subject of conversation.

Audition: p4 ("Anything! Anything!) to p5 (Money isn’t everything")

Geraldine Capulat (50s-60s)

Madame Desmortes’ companion. A hopeless romantic who conspires with her long lost friend, Isabelle’s

mother, to get Madame to unite Hugo and Isabelle.

Audition: p28 ("It’s really wonderful") to p30 ("not to breathe a word")

Madame Desmortes (70s +)

The elderly, class-conscious aunt of Hugo, Frederic, and Lady India. She assumes the role of match maker

for her nephews and niece. Her somewhat hardened view of life is at least partially due to her age and

confinement in a wheelchair (throughout the play).

Audition: p28 ("It’s really wonderful") to p30 ("not to breathe a word")

Lady Dorothy India (30s-40s) also known as Dorothy

The niece of Madame Desmortes, cousin to the twins, the mistress of both Messerschmann and Patrice

Bombelles. In love with danger, she fantasises about getting caught by Messerschmann in the arms of Patrice.

Audition: p4 ("Anything! Anything!) to p5 (Money isn’t everything")

Isabelle’s Mother (40s-50s)

Isabelle’s eccentric chatterbox mother. She pushes her Daughter to play the part in Hugo’s charade so that Isabelle might have a chance to marry him, or at least marry someone with money.

Audition: p16 ("Turn around dear") to p17 (Romainville’s exit)

Joshua (50s-70s)

The respectful butler to the Desmortes family estate. Joshua adds comic relief for his dignified language befitting his ‘Jeeves like’ character. Occasionally loses his composure in the face of the unexpected..

Audition: p1 ("How about last night") to p2 ("Thank you sir")

Messerschmann (60s)

A wealthy industrialist, he has four primary roles in life: Diana’s father, paramour of Lady India, Patrice’s boss and owner of the company managed by Romainville. He believes every person has his or her price.

Audition: p40 ("Father") to p41 ("Help me Father. Please help me")

Romainville (40s -50s)

Romainville a Lepidopterist (studies butterflies) probably intent on making Isabelle his next specimen. To guard against his reputation, Romainville tries to keep his pursuit of young Isabelle a secret, so is blackmailed by Hugo into getting Isabelle to pose as his niece.

Audition: Audition: p16 ("Turn around dear") to p17 (Romainville’s exit)

The Double (30s)

Occasionally Hugo and Frederic are on stage together, thus we require an actor who is physically the same appearance of the person as Hugo/Frederic. It is a non-speaking role. Although an important part of the play, until the lead role is cast we will not be able to cast the Double due to the need for physical similarity.

Participation in rehearsals for this role will be minimal until we move into the Auditorium.

The General, Maids and Flunkies

We are looking for up to 4 additional members of the cast (2 male, 2 female) to play Maids and Flunkies which would suit younger actors - and one older male to play the walk on part of The General. All will both help with continuity e.g. setting and striking the set in character plus dressing the stage with some dancing. We will not be auditioning for these roles but please state your interest to the Director if you would like to join the cast. Participation in rehearsals for these roles will be minimal until we move into the Auditorium; however some dance training will be required during the rehearsal cycle.

Notes:

Described in one review as being peopled by a cast of grotesques, roles other than the main protagonists (Hugo/Frederic, Isabelle & Diana) are larger than life so give some thought how you will accentuate the characters you audition for. Some roles will be required to dance – please don’t let this deter you from auditioning! Our Choreographer will transform you into a ballroom dancer you even if you are a beginner. Rehearsals will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, usually from 7.30 to 9.45, commencing mid-March 2025. There will also be Sunday afternoon rehearsals, if needed, closer to the production but definitely once we move into the auditorium. Note additional choreography rehearsals will be arranged for those involved in on stage dance.