READING AND AUDITION DATES FOR MIKE BARTLETT’S ‘LOVE, LOVE, LOVE’

 

LOVE,LOVE,LOVE

by Mike Bartlett

DIRECTOR: Lynda Lewis

PERFORMANCE DATES 6-16 May 2026.

Rehearsals will commence mid-March 2026.

There will be a reading of the play on 25 November 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 30 November.

READING: Tuesday 25 November, 7:30pm at the theatre

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

THE REVIEWS

“Painfully resonant and perceptive – Mike Bartlett’s era-jumping state of the nation play.” The Stage
“Bartlett does the clash of generational world views with a devastating precision” The Guardian

THE PLAY

Have the baby boomers ruined life for their kids or are the kids just too soft to make a success of their own lives? Mike Bartlett’s biting and excruciatingly funny play shows Sandra and Kenneth at three specific points in their lives starting with their uninhibited teenage years in the 1960s, through marriage, kids and divorce to an extremely comfortable retirement. Absorbed in themselves, they see the early rejection of Henry, Sandra’s boyfriend and Kenneth’s brother, as merely collateral damage in their pursuit of pleasure, while years later they are convinced that they have sacrificed themselves to encourage their children, Rose and Jamie, to follow their own dreams – which is not how Rose and Jamie see it.

Mike Barlett, an Olivier award-winning contemporary playwright and screenwriter, has created a family with opposing views on almost everything and offers the opportunity for 5 versatile actors to have a ball with fantastic characters and killer lines for all!

 

THE ROLES

Ages are guidelines

Henry
Age guide 20-30
Kenneth’s elder brother and Sandra’s boyfriend. Working class war baby, well mannered, formal, respectful and abides by the rules of the previous generation. He has an underlying potential for violence.

Kenneth
Age around 40 – able to age up and down through the play.
Henry’s younger brother. Working class Oxford student, thrilled by the new world, keen to smash boundaries and have adventures. Instead he marries, has kids, divorces and plays golf.

Sandra
Age around 40 – able to age up and down through the play
Self-assured, uninhibited, a narcissist. Initially Henry’s girlfriend, she sees an exciting future with Kenneth and considers herself the star of the family, if not the world.

Rose
Age guide 20 – 30 – able to age up and down through the play
Rose was encouraged to become a professional musician by her parents, but her career failed. As a child she felt unsupported by her parents and when she asks for help as an adult, she is refused.

Jamie
Age guide 20-30 – able to age up and down through the play
Jamie, an exuberant, annoying, teenager was a talented singer who lost his way, and as an adult is unable to cope with life.

AUDITION GUIDELINES

For the audition will consist of some movement followed by 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, Lynda Lewis lyndalewis@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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