Waterworks Players announces auditions for The Play That Goes Wrong, by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, to be directed by Scott Chapman.

The auditions are open to the public at 6:30pm on May 4th and 5th at the Waterworks Theatre Building (25 SMI Way, Farmville) and will consist of cold readings from the script. Please have an idea who you would like to read for.

Rehearsals will begin on June 16, usually running Sunday through Thursday evenings 6:30-9pm. Tech & Dress rehearsals will be July 24-31, and a Brush Up rehearsal Aug 7. Performances will be August 1, 2, 3, 8 & 9, 2025.

From Dramatists Play Service: From Mischief, Broadway masters of comedy, comes the smash hit farce. Welcome to opening night of the Cornley University Drama Society’s newest production, The Murder at Haversham Manor, where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. This 1920s whodunit has everything you never wanted in a show—an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines). Nevertheless, the accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences!

AVAILABLE ROLES: 4 M, 2 F, 2 M or F (plus stage crew = flexible casting) – flexible ages – gender presenting for each role is included below.

Chris – The head of the drama society, directed the play and plays Inspector Carter. A first—time director but a decent actor who is a little melodramatic considering this play is the biggest day of his life, and everything rides on the play’s success: it is a nerve-wracking and exciting night. Note: The actor cast in this role will need to be comfortable performing on a six to seven—foot—high platform with no railing. Gender: Male Presenting

Annie – the company’s Stage Manager. American Accent. The stage manager who can generally solve problems quickly. She has the biggest journey of any of the characters – her initial terror turning to joy by the end of the play. Gender: Female Presenting

Trevor or Tina – the company’s Lighting and Sound Operator. American Accent. S/He simply wants to get on with the show and doesn’t care for actors; when things go really sideways, s/he is forced to act in the play but hates acting. Generally, stays backstage until s/he too must substitute as the leading lady. Note: The actor cast in this role will need to be comfortable being in an enclosed box for up to 5 minutes. Gender: Male or Female Presenting

Jonathan – plays Charles Haversham in “The Murder at Haversham Manor.” He’s been cast as a corpse but has trouble playing dead. He’s not a good actor but sees himself as very cool. This is a very physical role. Note: The actor cast in this role will need to be comfortable performing on a six to seven—foot—high platform with no railing. Gender: Male Presenting

Robert – plays Thomas Colleymoore in The Murder at Haversham Manor, the deceased best friend and Florence’s brother. This is the sort of actor who always gets cast as the ‘best friend’ or ‘brother.’ An optimist, he always believes the show is going much more smoothly than it really is so he doesn’t feel bad when the show goes wrong nor ever learns from his mistakes. There is a power struggle between Robert and Chris to be president of the Cornley Poly Drama Society. Note: The actor cast in this role will need to be comfortable performing on a six to seven—foot—high platform with no railing. Gender: Male Presenting

Dennis or Denise – plays Perkins the butler. Probably the worst actor of the bunch with no desire to be in theatre, just wants to be liked and make friends. S/He believes if s/he is successful in the show, they will have success socially. Note: The actor cast in this role will need to be comfortable performing on a six to seven—foot—high platform with no railing. Gender: Male or Female Presenting

Max – plays Cecil Haversham – brother of the deceased who is having a secret affair with Florence and Arthur the Gardener in Act II. He has never been on stage before; he learned his lines and does exactly what he’s told to do; he has zero connection with any of the other actors, but engages with the audience. Cockney Accent. Gender: Male Presenting

Sandra – plays Florence Colleymoore, the femme fatale and fiancée of the deceased who is having a secret affair with his brother. She is a diva and the company’s leading lady who thinks she’s more talented than she really is. She is vain and possesses a huge ego; wants to be loved; has ambitions to go to Hollywood and will hurt anyone standing in the way of what she wants. Very physical role. Note: The actor cast in this role will need to be comfortable being in an enclosed box for up to 5 minutes. Gender: Female Presenting

Stage Crew – the Cornley Drama Stage Crew of 4-6 unnamed characters making the magic happen. They are fully involved in the rehearsal and performance process; they will be visible onstage and off for “The Murder of Haversham Manor’’ and are seen trying to get the play to go RIGHT. Actors in these roles must be able to lift, run, prat fall and hold a variety of items including a “dead” body.

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC,
servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com)