Performances 13-18 January 2025 in the Auditorium
Directed by Ian Smith
The play –
In her rundown North London flat, Kyra receives a visit from her ex-boss’s/lover’s son, Edward. He attempts to persuade her to meet up with Tom his recently widowed father. Later Tom calls round and tries desperately to understand the decisions that have led to their break up and the lifestyle Kyra has adopted. They battle, they love, their two worlds clash and the past still has power. In turns it’s funny and witty and tragically sad. Kyra struggles to resist the temptation to return to her old lifestyle but eventually makes a difficult choice.
A naturalistic play with dialogue to die for! Complex characters with no easy answers. And it’s a three hander on the main stage! The play is set in the mid 1990s. The National Theatre production starred Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan.
The characters
KYRA HOLLIS
Early 30s– daughter of a solicitor, she began working in Tom’s restaurant becoming an invaluable part of his family and business. She is principled (when it suits), intelligent and has turned her back on the privileged lifestyle that she could have had. Her ‘penance’ for the affair with Tom and her limited means have led to her teaching in a tough inner city school and living in a rundown inner city area. She says she has found a deeper satisfaction in her work.
She is articulate and forceful, but still in love with Tom and still susceptible to his charms. Her guilt fuels her decisions. She embraces a socialist ideal and rails against the unfeeling money-makers.
Her relationship with Edward is big-sisterly/fun auntie and warm. She has missed him – maybe more than Tom. She is his guide, his critic and his friend but takes no nonsense from him.
This part is a wonderful challenge – on stage the entire time, mainly with Tom. An authentically real performance is required – going from understated to volcanic.
In the play she prepares and cooks a spaghetti sauce on stage!
*Prepare Speech from p 92 -93 “I mean like earlier… TO … harder than running a bank”
Also scene with Tom p 88-91 “ Alright, very well, I do hear what you’re saying…. TO … You simply walked out on me. That is a fact”
Also scene with Edward p 10 – 11 “ I’m not sure what you know…TO … How am I doing? Am I doing all right?”
TOM SERGEANT
20 years older than Kyra (early 50s), Tom is a very successful restaurateur and entrepreneur, possibly coming from a working class background. Northern? Possibly based on the Marco Pierre White/Gordon Ramsey model. He is opinionated but has charm and an acerbic wit. He has worked hard for his wealth but struggles with the corporate trappings of his expanding business. He feels Kyra betrayed him by walking away from his family and business after his wife found out about his affair with her. He is struggling after the death of his wife and is desperate to go back to the love of his life. He can’t understand her lifestyle especially as the success of his restaurant business empire enables him to offer Kyra a lucrative partnership and a lavish lifestyle. He has everything apart from happiness and sees Kyra and the heady illicit love they shared as the key to his future. Her reticence to give up the hair shirt lifestyle she has adopted infuriates him.
This part is also a considerable challenge as he is in the bulk of the play. I am keen for the actor not to channel Bill Nighy!! He’s has to have complexity and occasionally challenge our prejudgments. He’s isn’t just a right wing cipher.
*Prepare the speech p76-77 “I’d tried to explain to her… TO … I’m getting no fucking pleasure at all”
Also scene with Kyra p 88-91 “ Alright, very well, I do hear what you’re saying….TO … You simply walked out on me. That is a fact”
EDWARD SERGEANT
18 years old in his gap year. Rebelling against his father who’s moved to leafy Wimbledon. Works in a burger van, slumming it and trying to be street. Hates the lifestyle that his father has and is desperate for the halcyon days of happy families prior to his mother’s illness and death when Kyra brought life and laughter to them all –especially his dad. His antipathy towards his dad is typical teenage but his affection for Kyra is strong albeit nostalgic. He has all the clumsy gaucheness of an 18 year old trying to discover who he is.
Tops and tails the play with two lovely scenes. Would prefer to have someone of that age (or suitably youthful)
*Prepare speech on p18 “My mother died… TO … when you were there”
Also scene with Kyra p 10 – 11 “ I’m not sure what you know…TO … How am I doing? Am I doing all right?”
We will do our best in audition to give everyone a chance to show the prepared pieces depending on numbers attending. It’d be great if they are learnt but you need to be VERY familiar with them. A cold read isn’t fair on you (or us)
REFERENCE SCRIPT AT BOX OFFICE AND COPIES OF AUDITION PIECES
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