READING AND AUDITION NOTICE FOR DAVID FLETCHER’S NEW PRODUCTION OF ‘WOMEN OF TROY’

 

WOMEN OF TROY

by Euripides, in a new version by David Fletcher 

DIRECTOR: David Fletcher
MOVEMENT DIRECTOR: Dan Walsh

PERFORMANCE DATES: 28 October – 7 November 2026

Rehearsals: full rehearsals will start in mid-September, with a few text sessions over the summer, at mutually convenient times.

READING: Monday 16th March at 7.30 p.m.

AUDITION: Sunday 10th May at 10:30 a.m.

THE PLAY

This intensely dramatic play may have been written over 2,400 years ago but it still speaks to us today on some of the fundamental issues of our time. It shows us the fallout of the terrifying violence of war and, in particular, the effect it has on the lives of women. Just a few years after the play was written, the historian Thucydides wrote “the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must” – a maxim that is as relevant today as it was in the ancient world. The play begins on the morning after the fall of Troy. All the Trojan men have been killed, but the women don’t yet know their fates – each woman is waiting to hear which Greek leader will be their new master. By the end of the play, the women have been taken to the ships, and their city is in flames.

THE COMPANY

Ages are flexible except that Hecuba needs to be one generation older than Cassandra, Andromache, and Helen.

A Chorus of Trojan women of eight to twelve actors. Some will need to sing, and some will need to perform stylised movement. They are on stage throughout.

Hecuba is the Queen of Troy. She is on stage throughout.

Talthybius, a Greek soldier who brings messages to the women. He appears in several scenes.

The other named characters have one scene each. These are wonderful cameo roles.

Poseidon, god of the sea and a supporter of Troy.

Athena, goddess of wisdom and a supporter of the Greeks.

Cassandra, Hecuba’s daughter, is a priestess of Apollo. She foretells the future, but nobody believes her.

Andromache is the widow of Hector, Hecuba’s heroic son. She enters carrying her baby.

Menelaus, King of Sparta, is a Greek general and the husband of Helen. He is a brute.

Helen ‘of Troy’, beautiful wife to Menelaus and lover of Paris, another of Hecuba’s sons.

 

THE READING – Monday 16th March at 7.30 p.m.

This is taking place earlier than usual so that David can hear the text spoken by actors before he finalises the script. Therefore, in the interests of the environment, we will not be printing copies of the draft script for the reading. If you wish to take part, it is recommended that you contact David in advance so that he can email you a copy. davidfletcher@lofttheatrecompany.com

 

AUDITION GUIDELINES

For the audition you will be asked to perform different parts of the text with other auditionees. There will also be some movement work. The text of the new version will be provided on the day, and you will be given time to read through and prepare with other actors.

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. 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 Loft Theatre logo in on the rear wall of the theatre and the words ‘Stage Door’ are painted on the wall to guide you.

 

 

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, David Fletcher, by email at davidfletcher@lofttheatrecompany.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.