Reading and Audition for April – Studio production of Pontypool by Tony Burgess

PONTYPOOL - By Tony Burgess - Loft Theatre Leamington Spa

 

PONTYPOOL

by Tony Burgess

DIRECTOR: Hannah Brown

PERFORMANCE DATES 21-25 April 2026, Loft Studio.

Rehearsals will commence in early March 2026.

Potentially some early rehearsals/recording sessions in January/February 2026 subject to company availability.

READING: Tuesday 11 November, 7:30pm at the theatre

AUDITION: Sunday 16 November 2:30pm at the theatre

THE PLAY

Set in the church-basement studio of the local radio station in Pontypool, Ontario, the play follows Grant Mazzy (a controversial radio presenter whose career has washed out), and his breakfast show team.

Reports come in from Ken, the station’s weather man, of a disturbance in the town, a possible riot at the doctor’s office. The town’s residents are exhibiting increasingly horrifying behaviour. Repeating sounds, babbling incomprehensibly. Tearing each other apart.

The team follows the story, fending off their own fears, questions from international news stations, and interruptions from mysterious warning broadcasts. They suspect it’s a hoax, until it’s undeniably happening to them too. With the help of the local doctor, who has fought his way through the infected townsfolk to the radio station, they piece together the truth:

Language itself has become infected with a virus. The disease is spreading at the speed of sound.

Words have always been Grant’s weapons, and now it seems he’s in the fight of his life. Or for his life.

Pontypool is an intense, claustrophobic horror about language, control, and what happens when we no longer have either.

Some forewarning: it’s horror! The play deals with themes of contagious illness, gore, bodily and social autonomy, and news manipulation.

This should not detract from the fact that it’s a fast-paced fun script to work on, a tight ensemble piece, with characters that keep the surreal horror grounded.

 

THE ROLES

Main cast

Grant Mazzy. M, 45-55, Canadian
Big mouth, bigger ego. He’s been fired from… everywhere… and relegated to reading the local news. He’s frustrated and stuck in his ways, so he’s trying his old tricks in a new situation. He is clever, manipulative and quick-witted, always seeking to be the person in control (and usually succeeding). Ultimately his ego proves his downfall: even in the face of the horror around him, he can’t make the obvious choice to shut up.

Sydney Briar. F, 30-40, Canadian
Grant’s producer. Strong-willed and not afraid to chase a story. Practical and sceptical, she’s the only one capable of standing up to Grant. She’s trying to stay in control of the studio and the story until it’s literally happening in the room with her, which causes her to panic and lose control of her better judgement.

Laurel Ann Drummond. F, 25-35, Canadian
Recently returned as Pontypool’s Homecoming Hero, after a tour in Afghanistan, now Beacon Radio’s “technical cowgirl”. Laurel Ann becomes infected with the virus, worsening throughout the play, and finally succumbing to her illness in an explosive final gesture (she literally explodes). A role for an actor who can explore illness through physical movement and is comfortable with a little bit of gore.

Dr Mendez. M, 35-60, *
The local doctor, recently disgraced for prescription anomalies. Logical and scientifically detached, sometimes to a fault. He clinically observes what is going on, eventually realising the cause of the infection and explaining it to everyone. Elated at his discoveries, right up to the end.
*Accent to be agreed, but not American/Canadian/French/English

Ken Loney. M, 30+, Canadian . (Voice only)
Ken’s the local weatherman, a trusted voice of the town, broadcasting from the Sunshine Chopper. Or is he? Across a series of calls to the studio, Ken begins confidently reporting weather, and ends in abject horror at the events around him, eventually joining the ranks of the infected.

Nigel Healing. M, any adult age, English (Voice only)
Nigel is reporting for the BBC on the breaking news from Pontypool. He’s got the gravitas, but he’s also got an agenda to shape the story.

Supporting voices:
These are roles of a few recorded lines that help build the sounds and story on the radio.
Police Officers (2), M, Canadian
Sports reporter, M Canadian
Station announcer, any adult age, any gender, Canadian
Mysterious Radio Warning, French speaking, any adult age, any gender

AGES ARE GUIDELINES

AUDITION GUIDELINES

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. Accents are important, but the play has a range of them.
Do try to arrive on time so that you don’t miss lots of useful information about the play and being part of the production. The reading and the audition will be held at the theatre. Please come to the Stage Door at the rear of the theatre in Spencer Yard. There is access through the gate to the left of The Fold on Spencer Street. A Loft sign on the gate indicates the direction into the yard. The Fold is the large white building with pillars. Head in the direction of the red arrow across Spencer’s Yard to the Stage Door in the corner. The words ‘Stage Door’ are painted on the wall.

 

 

 

 

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, Hannah Brown, at hannahbrown@lofttheatrecompany.com, or for more general information, please contact 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.

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