AUDITIONS

A SHERLOCK CAROL

by Michael Shanahan

Directed by Michael Shane Eastman

Auditions will consist of cold readings from sides of the script.

Auditions will be held on Sunday, 9/27 at 6 pm and Monday, 9/28 at 7 pm. 

You may come either night - you are NOT required both nights.

Cast of Characters (6 roles total):

Note: Age refers to stage/character age. While all roles will be a part of singing an opening Carol, THE COUNTESS OF MORCAR (Actor 4) does sing a Musical Hall version of the 12 Days of Christmas.

SHERLOCK HOLMES (Male presenting as mid to late 40s) The World’s Foremost Consulting Detective, in decline.

EBENEZER SCROOGE (Male presenting as 60s+) Formerly a miser. One Christmas, Scrooge is transformed into as good a man as the good old city ever knew.

ACTOR ONE (Male presenting as a variety of ages)

DR. TIMOTHY CRATCHIT. Tiny Tim, all grown up. Now, a doctor at St. Bernard’s Hospital for Children. He speaks with a more refined accent than his sister and has remained a stalwart believer in the human spirit.

MR. TOPPER. The manager of the Cosmopolitan Hotel. A bit older, a bit pompous. Easily irritated. Supposedly a friend of Fred, Scrooge’s nephew.

RALPH FEZZIWIG. A nervous, wiry young man. The misfit member of a proud family. Engaged to Fannie.

CONSTABLE BRADSTREET. A seemingly upstanding member of Scotland Yard.

ACTOR TWO (Female presenting as a variety of ages and one male character) –

EMMA WIGGINS. A good-spirited and brave 13-year-old, she is a former “Baker Street Irregular.”

FAN “FANNIE” GARDNER. Scrooge’s grandniece. A refined young woman, she works backstage at the theatre in the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Engaged to Ralph Fezziwig.

INSPECTOR LESTRADE. Blustery, easily confounded member of Scotland Yard. He has grudging respect for Holmes.

MRS. WINDIGATE. A Scottish tavern-keeper and member of the Goose Club. Giggly, a whirlwind.

ACTOR THREE (Male presenting as a variety of ages and one female character)

DR. WATSON. Sherlock Holmes’ best and most loyal friend. The Boswell to Holmes’ Johnson.

MRS. DILBER. Mr. Scrooge’s housekeeper of over 30 years. An emotional creature with a connection to the spiritual realm.

HENRY BURKE. An Irish candlemaker, an old friend of Mr. Scrooge.

OLD JOE BRACKENRIDGE. The owner of Old Joe’s in Covent Garden. Gruff, a born salesman.

ACTOR FOUR (Female presenting as a variety of ages)

CAROLER. A cheerful person in the street.

ELDERLY WOMAN. A London lady.

THE COUNTESS OF MORCAR. An American music hall singer. An old love of Holmes; who also goes by another name, Irene Adler.

MARTHA CRATCHIT. Tough and a bit lower-class than her brother. She is as smart and observant as any detective she might happen to meet.

MARY MORSTAN. Watson’s elegant and brave wife.

ABIGAIL “ABBY” FEZZIWIG. Runs a business fattening geese for market. She is no-nonsense and direct-a proud member of the hardworking Fezziwig family.

About the Play:

Performance Dates and Times:

Evening Performances: December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 @ 7:30pm

Matinees: December 6, 12, 13, 19 @ 2:30pm

Synopsis:

“Moriarty is dead, to begin with.” And thus begins Michael Shanahan’s delightful mash-up of Dickens and Doyle, A Sherlock Carol. In this clever story, a grown-up Tiny Tim (now a doctor at a children's hospital) asks Sherlock Holmes to investigate the death of Ebenezer Scrooge, and the Great Detective must use his gifts to solve a real Dickens of a Christmas mystery! Six actors take on the beloved characters of Arthur Conan Doyle and Charles Dickens in this heartwarming and highly theatrical holiday treat for all ages!

From the Director:

Actors familiar with works such as Barlow’s The 39 Steps and Ludwig’s Baskerville will find A Sherlock Carol’s structure familiar with 4 clowns or players playing a wide variety of characters. The play has a sense of storytelling and lyricism with plenty of moments of theatrical absurdity and minimalism.

While many characters are broad for comedic effect, our core characters in this mystery are haunted. The near-death experience of Holmes’ fall from Reichenbach Falls and the death of his greatest adversary have shattered his sense of purpose.

This show is also a true ensemble piece with movement, singing, and a sense of play throughout the thrilling mystery. If you have any special skills, be they acrobatic or musical or magical; please let us know at auditions and we’d love to see a sample of your talents at auditions.

-Michael Shane Eastman

Any questions about auditions or the show itself not answered here, please email the director: mikeiseastman@gmail.com.