Bothered and Bewildered

Written by Gail Young

1. Synopsis of the Play

Bothered and Bewildered is a comic drama that follows Irene and her two daughters Louise and Beth as they begin a long journey in which the girls lose their mum in spirit but not in body. As her family struggle to come to terms with her Alzheimer's, Irene's past passion for romantic fiction blurs with reality. She discusses with her unseen and witty companion Barbara Cartland (Irene's favourite and now deceased world famous romantic novelist) how best to write her 'memory book', disclosing to Barbara long kept family secrets that she would never reveal to anyone else.

2.Script Read Through

Monday 8th April at 5.30pm in Grimond Seminar Room 3 and Tuesday 7th May at 5.30pm in Woolf Seminar Room 1. These sessions will be an opportunity for people to sit together reading through the script aloud. Each person will have the opportunity to play a different role, and sometimes several roles. These sessions are for the benefit of people interested in auditioning, decisions on casting will not be made from this session.

3. Auditions

Auditions will include some warm-ups, team games and group readings from the script. We will try to ensure that you get to read from the script at least twice. You will be asked to write down any role preferences. A cast list will be emailed to you on Saturday 17th May 2019.

When: 5.30pm on Tuesday 14th May (in Woolf Seminar Room 1) and/or 5.30pm on Thursday 16th May (in Woolf Seminar Room 1).

Where: https://www.kent.ac.uk/timetabling/rooms/room.html?room=W1-SR1

4. Show Dates

Thursday 5th, Friday 6th, and Saturday 7th of September

There will be technical and dress rehearsals on Monday 2nd September - Wednesday 4th September. All cast and crew must attend all rehearsals and shows from Monday 2nd September - Saturday 7th September.

5. Rehearsals

Rehearsals will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5.30pm-7.30pm. Some characters will not be needed for every rehearsal. All rehearsals will be at the University of Kent Canterbury Campus and a draft rehearsal schedule can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12Y_zWAqLD5PN5_Yx4yw_-UQQ9w2wY3ky/view?usp=sharing

6. Cast Breakdown

There are 8 characters, 5 female and 3 male.

• Irene (f)- Main character, struggling to cope with her Alzheimer's.

• Barbara (f)- Irene's favourite and now deceased world famous romantic novelist.

• Louise (f)- One of Irene’s daughters.

• Beth (f)- One of Irene’s daughters.

• Consultant (m/f)- The role of the NHS Consultant can be played as either a man or a woman, but preferably by a man.

• James/Jim (m)- ‘James’ and ‘Jim’ must be played by the same actor.

• Young Irene/Shelly (f)- 'Young Irene' and 'Shelley' must be played by the same actress.

• Policeman (m)- Small role at the end of Act one.

Please also feel free to come along to auditions or contact the group (players@kent.ac.uk) if you are interested in backstage work or being a member of the crew.

We look forward to seeing you at the auditions.

Break a leg!