GLORIOUS!

by Peter Quilter
Director: James Suckling

PERFORMANCE DATES 27 November– 7 December 2024

REHEARSALS WILL COMMENCE EARLY/MID OCTOBER

READING: MONDAY 10 JUNE AT 7.30 P.M.
AUDITION: SUNDAY 16 JUNE AT 2.30 P.M.

The reading and the audition will be held at the theatre. If you know the Loft, please come to the Stage Door at the rear of the theatre in Spencer’s Yard. There is access through the gate to the left of The Fold on Spencer Street. If you are new to the Loft please come to the front of the theatre on Victoria Colonnade, adjacent to the river.

THE REVIEW

“A delightful and blissfully funny play that generates a glow of warmth and generous laughter” Daily Telegraph

THE PLAY

Peter Quilter’s delicious comedy tells the true story of the gregarious socialite, Florence Foster Jenkins (1868 – 1944), considered ‘the worst singer in the world’. Set in New York in the 1940s she uses her money, her charm and an unstoppable self-belief to create a platform for her recitals. The play opens in 1940s New York in the apartment in the Seymour Hotel which she shares with her boyfriend, manager and out of work English actor St. Clair. We meet them as she is preparing to audition Cosme McMoon who is hired as her accompanist and, after initial scepticism, is by her side as she packs Carnegie Hall for her final performance. Glorious! is an hilarious, poignant comedy that inspires us all to follow our dreams and defy criticism.

THE ROLES

Florence Foster Jenkins, eccentric American lady (Playing Age 40’s upwards)
Ability to sing as a coloratura soprano excruciatingly badly – off key, dubious timing and with poor breath control! The role can be played by a singer or a non-singer.

Cosme McMoon, a pianist (Playing Age 20s – 40s)
Ability to mime playing the piano which will be angled to hide his hands

St Clair, Florence’s English male friend; an actor (Playing Age to match Florence) Very English – no hint of an American accent.

Dorothy, Florence’s friend and companion, American (Playing Age to match Florence)

Maria, Florence’s and St Clair’s Mexican Cook and Housemaid (Playing Age 35 – 55)
All dialogue in Mexican accented Spanish. This can be learned phonetically.

Mrs Verrinder-Gedge, an American lady (Playing Age 50’s upwards)
A music lover who tries to stop Florence performing

AUDITION GUIDELINES

Ages are guidelines only. The generational age gaps need to work.

Florence will need to demonstrate how badly she can sing!
Please contact the director, James, for a backing track on jamessuckling@talk21.com

For the audition you will be asked to perform different parts of the text with other auditionees. Text will be provided on the day and you will be given time to read through and prepare with other actors.

To register interest, or if you are interested but can’t make the dates… or for any more information, please get in touch with the director, James Suckling on jamessuckling@talk21.com or the Artistic Director, Sue Moore at suemoore@lofttheatrecompany.com

CASTING POLICY
The Loft’s casting policy is centred on casting the very best actors for each role. Casting will always be open and neutral. Everyone is welcome and warmly encouraged to attend auditions. If specific race/ethnicity or other characteristics are central to the story, we will make this clear in audition notices. There is no pre-casting without the express permission of the Artistic Director.

We no longer have membership subscriptions. It is free to join our company.

We look forward to welcoming you.