Audition Dates

Auditions will take place on Tuesday 7 April and Wednesday 15 April.

You only need to attend one of those dates. You can specify which on the form below.

We know everyone has a busy life. If you can’t attend either session, but are still keen to be involved, please indicate that on the form.

Audition Time
Arrive between 7.20 and 7.25pm
We will start promptly at 7.30pm and end around 9.30pm

Ideally please attend for the full session, including from the start, but let us know on the form if you can’t.

Our director for this show, Rhydian Sendall, looks forward to meeting you there!

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The Performances

Performances
22–24 October 7.30pm, plus a Saturday 24th matinee
Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre, LU7 1RX

If you don’t know the theatre yet, come along and see our March show there: Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None

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Rehearsals & Commitment

Rehearsal period
Main rehearsal period: September and October
likely Thursday evenings 7.30pm-9.30pm and Sunday afternoons 2-6pm

There will also be some character and small group work during July and August for some primary characters. If you have holidays planned, that is not a problem. We can usually work around them.

Rehearsal and Audition Location
Halton pre-school, Aylesbury, HP22. (Google map)

To take part, you will need to be able to travel by car to rehearsals in Halton and to performances in Leighton Buzzard.

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ℹ️ What to Prepare for the Audition (you must do this!)

Please prepare one of the following:

• Any Shakespeare speech that you already know, understand, and enjoy.
  or
• One of the Beatrice or Benedick speeches in this PDF

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📖 Get familiar with the play

Ideally, please read or watch Much Ado About Nothing in advance.

You can read our already-edited version of the Arden script here: Much Ado About Nothing script

You may also find filmed stage productions or film versions available to watch online. Any version is fine. The aim is simply to be familiar with the story, the characters, and the tone of the play.

You do not need to prepare anything beyond your chosen audition speech, but arriving with a working knowledge of the play will make the audition process more enjoyable for you.

💡This summary from ChatGPT could also get you started on the plot, characters, and themes.

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What to Expect on the Audition evening

• Auditions will be one person at a time, in the main room, with the rest of the group present
• After individual auditions, the director may mix people into short paired or group exercises
  • No additional preparation is needed for the fun group work

The atmosphere will be supportive.

The Players Theatre Company has built a reputation for excellent productions and an excellent way of working together. You’ll be part of this community.

📨 If you have any questions about the audition evenings, please would you email Rhydian, the director. (But do please check first that it’s not covered on this page, or the form!)

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Who Should Audition

We welcome performers with a range of experience. Whether you have done a lot of Shakespeare, are returning to it after a break, or keen to get involved for the first time, what matters most to us is curiosity, generosity in the room, and a willingness to play – with the language, the plot, the characters, and each other.

You should audition if you enjoy collaborative rehearsal rooms, helpful direction, and working as part of a friendly, supportive group.

If you need any accommodations to help you take part in auditions or rehearsals, please let us know on the form. We are very happy to make reasonable adjustments where we can, and we want everyone to feel comfortable, included, and able to do their best work.

If you are unsure whether this production is for you, we would still encourage you to come along! (Even if you’re not in this play, you might want to join us for a different play in future.)

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Car parking and location

Parking
Parking is available in the car park of the school where we rehearse, or on the road leading up to it.

📍 Halton pre-school, Aylesbury, HP22. (Use this Google map link direct to the car park. If you just search for “Halton pre-school” on a map, you’ll drive past the school on the main road, and miss any parking!)

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How to Apply

Please complete the audition form.

On the form you can:

• Select your preferred audition date
• Let us know if you cannot make either date
• Register interest for future productions if this play is not right for you

If you are not auditioning for this production but would like to be considered for future shows, please register more generally with us so we can let you know about future productions.

About the play

Shakespeare’s warmest comedy

Few comedies match the sheer pleasure of Much Ado About Nothing. It is quick-witted, romantic, and gloriously human.

Love is both ridiculous and irresistible. Words are weapons. Pride is dangerous. The play sparkles with verbal duels and lands with real emotional stakes.

The world

Join us in a sun-drenched holiday retreat.

Cocktails and wine flow, fairy lights cast their warm glow over open courtyards, and guests gather for sunlit dinners and sparkling evenings.

But beneath the laughter and charm, matchmaking plots begin to spiral into comic confusion. Proud hearts are tricked, rumours run wild, and a wedding nearly collapses before the truth emerges.

The story

When old friends reunite, teasing quickly turns to matchmaking. Benedick and Beatrice trade barbs and loudly deny the feelings that everyone else can already see.

Meanwhile, Claudio is captivated by Hero, until a cruel deception takes hold. Reputations are threatened, trust is tested, and only wit, courage, and honesty can put things right.

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Director’s Vision

This production will feel timeless and fresh, with a modern Mediterranean summer house party feel.

Think a villa courtyard in high summer. Fairly modern dress in bright, pastel colours. Cocktails and wine. Hanging fairy lights. A relaxed, social atmosphere where laughter comes easily, conversations sparkle, and emotions occasionally spill over.

The aim is a world that feels warm, playful, and recognisably human, where the wit is sharp, the relationships matter, and the comedy grows naturally out of character and connection.

Keep in touch

Please do follow our Facebook pages. These are some of the main ways we promote our upcoming shows, and announce future auditions.

https://www.facebook.com/theplayerstc

https://www.facebook.com/groups/theplayerstcgroup

and Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/THEPLAYERSTHEATRECOMPANY_