THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE

Director: Simon Openshaw

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice tells the story of LV who in an effort to escape her hideous, fishwife of a Mother, and to remember her beloved dead Father, spends hours in her room listening to her father’s records including Monroe, Garland and Holliday. When her Mother’s latest beau, Ray Say a small time entertainment agent hears her sing, the fragile LV is unwillingly put on a roller coaster to fame at Mr Boo’s club. It’s only the friendship of fellow misfit Billy that finally helps her to find her own true voice.

Production dates 19^th to 21^st November 2009

Opening meeting and read through Monday 1^st June

Audition dates

Monday 8^th June (LV only)

Thursday 11^th June for all other cast

Monday 22^nd June (recalls if required)

Rehearsal dates

Commencing Monday 7^th September

Rehearsal days are Monday and Thursday evenings (8pm until 10pm) and some Sundays 6pm until 10pm

Set in Northern England today. Accent’s, northern possibly Yorkshire or Lancashire although Ray could be a Londoner.

Cast

LV:  It is crucial that LV is able to sing effectively in the style of a number of singers, however, it is the essence of the singers that is important rather than an exact copy. It is also important that the impressions of the singers are your interpretation rather than copies of Jane Horrock’s impressions.

Ideally you will be able to sing in the style of Monroe and Garland, however, these can be “supported” by singers from other eras. Some suggestions are:

Early Cilla Black, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, Dusty Springfield, Billie Holliday, Sandy Shaw, Mariah Carey, Dion Warwick, Edith Piaf, Marlene Dietrich, Whitney Houston.

LV is a vulnerable, traumatised girl who has been bullied by her over bearing mother for years.

Playing age is from 18 to 35.

Mari:   Is a boozy and brassy broad who doesn't have a heart of gold and would have pawned it if she had. She’s definitely mutton dressed as lamb. Past her sell by date, she is the reason that LV is the way she is. She gradually reveals herself as a desperate and tragic figure - a monster for whom we could still feel real sympathy, or could we?

Playing age is from 40 to 55

Ray Say: Is the local theatrical agent whose top clients are a dog act, ventriloquist and a selection of dodgy strippers. He is a cross between Del boy and a poor man’s Elvis. LV is his big chance to be the person that, in his mind, he already is. His is all cigars, quiff and medallion. Starts off as a good guy but really is as hard as nails. 

Playing age is from 40 to 60

Billy: Is a BT engineer who falls for LV. He is softly spoken and very shy. He is the only one who really cares about LV

Playing age is from 18 to 35

Mr Boo: The archetypal Northern club owner/MC, Larger than life on stage but a hard-nosed businessman off it. “Yer alreet”.

Playing age from 30 to 60

Sadie: Is Mari’s down trodden next door neighbour and close friend, she is written as a larger girl although we may be able to work around that. She manages to steal many a scene with a carefully placed smile and, on one occasion, by under-played vomiting!

Playing age is from 30 to 60

Phone Man (Colin): Bit of a lad, fancies himself and tries it on with Mari

Playing age is from 30 to 60

Auditions

For LV

You will be asked to sing 4 parts. Probably Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland plus 2 other parts that can be of your choosing from the singers listed (or alternatives you wish to suggest prior to the audition date).

You will only be required to sing a brief section of each song and you can bring a backing track if you prefer or sing without.

You will also be asked to do 1 or 2 very brief pieces of dialogue as Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland

Dialogue audition pieces will be available shortly on the web site or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

All other parts

Dialogue audition pieces will be available after the opening.