READING AND AUDITION DATES FOR ‘FROZEN’ BY BRYONY LAVERY ANNOUNCED

 

FROZEN

by Bryony Lavery

DIRECTOR: Dave Crossfield

PERFORMANCE DATES 1-11 April, 2026.

Rehearsals will commence mid-February 2026

There will be a reading of the play on 2 December so that those interested can hear the text come off the page and then make a judgement about whether they wish to go forward to the auditions on 7 December.

READING: Tuesday 2 December at 7:30pm at the theatre

AUDITION: Sunday 7 December at 2:30pm at the theatre

THE REVIEWS

“A big, brave, compassionate play about grief, revenge, forgiveness and bearing the unbearable.” The Guardian
“Unflinchingly truthful and spontaneous”  The Independent

THE PLAY

Bryony Lavery’s hard-hitting play explores the nature of a serial-killing paedophile, forcing the audience to examine their own reactions to his crimes. Can forgiveness be found for such an evil crime? Are people born evil or can there be a deeper understanding of their actions? Frozen presents the play’s three characters predominantly through monologues, interspersed with one-to-one dialogue. The grief-stricken mother, Nancy, is living with the aftermath of the abduction and subsequent murder of her ten year old daughter, Rhona, in 1980. Ralph is the serial killer who, despite priding himself on his organized, military precision, is finally caught and sentenced to life imprisonment. He becomes the case study of the third side of the triangle–Agnetha. She is an American criminal psychiatrist who comes to England on a visiting fellowship following the death of her colleague, David. As Nancy wrestles with her grief, their lives become powerfully interwoven until the final, sudden climax….

 

THE CHARACTERS

AGES ARE OPEN

Agnetha Gottmundsdottir – F – New York psychiatrist who interviews Ralph for research in criminal psychiatry. Neurotic.

Nancy Shirley – F – The mother having to deal with the horrific loss of her 10 year old daughter and the consequential destruction of her family relationships.



Ralph Wantage – M – Paedophile and child serial murderer. Psychopath or sociopath?

Guard – M/F – Non-speaking.

AUDITION GUIDELINES

For the audition will consist of performing 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. .

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’s 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 where the Loft logo identifies the theatre building. The Fold is the large white building with pillars. Head in the direction of the 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, Dave Crossfield davecrossfield@lofttheatrecompany.com or for any general questions please contact Sue Moore, Artistic Director, 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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