• Runtime: 165 minutes
• Director: Linda Croston | Alison Hope

• Audition

Performances 20-25 July 2026 in the Auditorium

About The Show

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a Tony-and-Pulitzer-Prize-winning musical comedy that takes a satirical look at big business and all that it holds sacred. Set in the 1960s, How To Succeed took Broadway by storm with its clever lampoon of life on the corporate ladder and features a well-known score with songs like “Brotherhood of Man,” “I Believe in You,” and “The Company Way.” An irreverent, tuneful romp, packed with sly, swift and sharp jabs to the funny bone, and with an eye for fun, it’s pure family-friendly entertainment!

We are excited to produce this classic hit that has been revived multiple times on Broadway (most recently starring Daniel Radcliffe, of Harry Potter fame!).

Creative Team

Directors and Designers: Linda Croston and Alison Hope

Musical Director: Sam Griffiths

Choreographer: TBC

Lighting Designer: Matthew Allcock

Sound Designer: Simon Carter

Stage Manager: Helen Sharp

Audition Dates

Tuesday 24 March – all music

Thursday 26 March – script reading

Please arrive for 7.15pm in the clubroom

Audition pieces will be available from the theatre (at the upstairs box office drawer) from Monday 23 March or now electronically from Alison at esmebobble@hotmail.com

Note - Rehearsal nights will be Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and some Sundays nearer the show.

Character Notes

MEN

J PIERREPONT (Ponty) FINCH – Window cleaner. (Age 20-35) Finch is young and driven to succeed in the business world with the aid of his trusty book. He is charming and self-assured, but occasionally un-nerved by the intensity and speed of his rise to power, and the rather underhand way he’s getting there. With quite an opportunistic, self-centred personality, the role requires an actor with natural charisma and charm to keep the audience on his side.

J B BIGGLEY - President of the World Wide Wicket Company. (Age 50+) Biggley is the head of the company, and makes sure everyone knows it. However, he is completely brought to his knees by the women in his life, and finds solace in knitting. Great character part – will need to be able to sing and dance through ‘Grand Old Ivy’.

BUD FRUMP - Biggley’s nephew. (Age 20-35) The boss’s nephew and Finch’s nemesis. An arrogant, obnoxious young man who makes numerous attempts to advance his career through devious schemes and by using his family connections. A very funny part.

BERT BRATT - Personnel Manager (Age 30+) Bratt is central to the hirings and firings that move the plot along, and is one of the only executives who seems to do his job - mainly by permanently agreeing with the boss.

MR TWIMBLE - Head of the Mail Room (Age 40+) He is a genuinely likeable guy. Believes his longevity with the company (25 years in the mailroom) is due to his lack of ambition and his knack at staying unnoticed.

WALLY WOMPER - Chairman of the Board (Age 50+) Womper is a grumpy looking man who is largely silent. When he does speak, he is revealed to be a gruff but charming man who is proud of his blue-collar background - only appears towards the end of the show and sings in Brotherhood of Man.

MILT GATCH - Head of Plans and Systems (Age 30+) Gatch is a confident and rather sleazy executive who is not immune to an attractive female.

BENJAMIN BURTON DANIEL OVINGTON - New head of advertising (Age 30+) Ovington is the golden boy. Handsome and smart. He is hired to head up the advertising department - until he is fired for having studied at Biggley’s rival college.

MALE ENSEMBLE - (Junior Executives) (ages 20 and upwards) Various vocal ranges.

WOMEN

ROSEMARY PILKINGTON – Office Secretary (Age 20-35) A secretary who is far more interested in finding a man to marry than advancing her career. After meeting Ponty, she immediately sets her sights on becoming Mrs. Finch. She supports him in his climb to succeed in the company. She is spurned and ignored several times throughout the show, but continues to return to Finch.

HEDY LA RUE - The Other Woman (Age 25-40) Hedy is the sexy bombshell who is having an affair with Biggley. She is not bright, but knows how to use her looks to succeed in the company. She later appears as the pirate mascot in the company ‘treasure hunt.’

SMITTY - Office Secretary (Age 25-35) Smitty is friend and confidante of Rosemary. She is less idealistic (although also keen to find a man) than Rosemary and encourages her in her efforts to snag Finch. Good comedy role – quick-witted and cynical with a dry sense of humour.

MISS JONES - Mr Biggley’s secretary (Age 40+) Miss Jones is the abrupt and tough executive secretary to Biggley. She keeps him in line, and all employees try to stay out of her way - although Finch manages to get worm his way onto her good side. This character must be a belter as she has a big solo in ‘Brotherhood of Man’.

MISS KRUMHOLTZ - Mr. Gatch’s secretary (Age 25+) Miss Krumholtz is the professional secretary that is completely loyal to the executive she is assigned to that day

FEMALE ENSEMBLE - (Secretaries) (ages 20 and upwards) Various vocal ranges.