Clue: On Stage

Written by by  Hunter Foster, Eric Price and Sandy Rustin

Based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn

Auditions

Auditions will be held on May 30 at Melville Theatre, cnr Stock Road and Canning Highway, Palmyra. This will be an open audition involving reading excerpts of the script with other actors. Auditions will be in groups of 10, in hour-long time slots. The script excerpts will be provided on the day. Please book your time slot here – https://www.slottr.com/melville-clue

Please contact the director at carmen_dohle@iinet.net.au with any questions relating to the audition or the season.

Performance dates: September 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19 (matinee), 23, 24, 25 at Melville Theatre

Rehearsals will depend on cast availability but likely will be Monday evening and another weekday evening, and Sunday afternoons.

We are also seeking expressions of interest for backstage roles including a keyboard player for the show’s music accompaniment, as well as lighting, sound, stage management, stagehands, and costumes.

No special preparation is required, although auditionees may wish to watch the 1985 film to get an idea of the pacing and humour. There are also many filmed high school productions on YouTube that may be useful for those who would like to have more familiarity with the stage script prior to the audition.

All roles are open to performers of all ethnicities and gender identities. Much of the humour in the play is slapstick/physical and the stage itself is accessed by steps. If you require the use of a mobility aid (stick, prosthesis etc), please ensure that you bring this to the audition. All ages are stage ages and are flexible.

Synopsis

Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery. The tale begins at a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. Led by the Wadsworth – the butler, Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock and Colonel Mustard race to find the killer as the body count stacks up. Clue is the comedy whodunit that will leave both cult-fans and newcomers in stitches as they try to figure out…WHO did it, WHERE, and with WHAT!

Cast of Characters

Wadsworth (male, mid 20s – late 40s): A traditional British butler in every sense; uptight, formal and “by the book”. He is the driving force in the play. This is a very fun and rewarding role for actors with good comedic delivery/timing and capacity for physical humour. Performers will need to demonstrate both a neutral English and neutral US accent.

Yvette (female, early 20s- mid 30s): a sexy French maid with her own secret aspirations. She also plays the Reporter in the final scene. She speaks with a French accent (the more ridiculous the better) and should have a neutral US accent for the reporter. Must be comfortable wearing a skimpy French maid outfit on stage.

Miss Scarlet (female, mid 20s – mid 40s): a dry, sardonic DC madam who is more interested in secrets than in sex. Neutral US accent.

Mrs Peacock (female, late 40s – late 60s): the churchgoing wife of a Tennessee senator. A bit batty, neurotic and quick to hysteria. Southern US or neutral US accent.

Mrs White (female, mid 20s – late 40s): a morbid and tragic woman. Mrs White may or may not be the murderer of her five ex-husbands. Neutral US accent.

Colonel Mustard (male, late 40s – late 60s): a puffy, pompous, dense blowhard of a military man. Neutral US accent.

Professor Plum (male, mid 30s – early 50s): an academic Casanova who woos women with his big… brain. Neutral US accent.

Mr Green (male, early 20s – mid 40s): a timid, yet officious, rule follower. He’s a bit of a klutz and awfully anxious. Neutral US accent.

Ensemble woman (female, early 20s – late 30s), to play:

  • the cook, a sinister presence (neutral US or any European accent)
  • The motorist, a benign gentleman who rings the wrong doorbell (neutral US accent)
  • Singing telegram girl, a cute, perky tap dancer (neutral US accent, tap skills definitely not necessary but if you do have a tap background, please bring shoes and be prepared to show 3-5 seconds of tap routine)
  • An agent, an FBI agent who helps save the day

Ensemble man (male, mid 20s – late 30s, neutral US accent), to play:

  • Mr Boddy, a slick, James Bond-type fella
  • The cop, a “regular Joe”
  • An agent, an FBI agent who helps save the day

Please book your time slot here – https://www.slottr.com/melville-clue