AT THE HARLEQUIN THEATRE, REDHILL

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DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS

THE MUSICAL

Two con men, a beautiful woman and the elite of the French Riviera collide in this sexy and irreverent farce.


Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, based on the popular 1988 MGM film, takes us to the French Riviera for high jinks and hilarity. Sophisticated, suave with a good dash of mischief, this hysterical comedy features a delightfully jazzy score by David Yazbek (The Full Monty) and was nominated for a staggering 11 Tony Awards.

Lawrence Jameson makes his lavish living by talking rich ladies out of their money. Freddy Benson more humbly swindles women by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother’s failing health. After meeting on a train, they attempt to work together only to find that this small French town isn’t big enough for the two of them. They agree on a settlement: the first one to extract $50,000 from a young female target, heiress Christine Colgate, wins and the other must leave town. A hilarious battle of cons ensues that will keep audiences laughing, humming and guessing to the end!

Production Team

Director: Kevin Hogg

Musical Director: Jamie Cordell

Choreographer: Vanessa Chambers

Show synopsis

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels springs to life in a bustling casino on the French Riviera (“Overture”). Among the glitz and glamour of the Casino, Lawrence, a con artists and general smooth talking tyke, is working a crowd of wealthy women with the intention of tricking them out of money (“Give Them What They Want”). Lawrence is the centre of attention as women swoon over him, including the particularly keen Muriel (“What Was a Woman To Do”). The mood is dampened as Lawrence’s bodyguard, Andre, warns him that there is a new conman in town who has been dubbed “The Jackal.”

Lawrence later contemplates the warning whilst travelling on a train. During his journey he spies another fraudster at work, Freddy Benson. Freddy is attempting to dupe fellow female passengers into giving him a fast franc, although Lawrence believes he could help him increase his financial yield. Taking the hoaxer under his wing, Lawrence brings Freddy to his mansion. Freddy is in awe of Lawrence’s riches and tells him of all the things he would buy when he himself comes into money (“Great Big Stuff”) and convinces Lawrence to show him the tricks of the trade. Despite Andre’s words of warning about Freddy (“Chimp in a Suit”) Lawrence enlists Freddy’s help as a crazed woman tries to force him to elope to Oklaholma (“Oklahoma?”). Posing as Lawrence’s brother “Ruprecht” (“All About Ruprecht”), the pair manage to convince the fanatical femme that Lawrence’s brother is a heinous being, and thus the wedding is called off (“What Was a Woman To Do Reprise.”)

 

Having experienced Freddy’s impressive deception skills, Lawrence begins to think that the Riviera isn’t big enough for the both of them. Challenging the newcomer to a race to get $50,000 from a woman, it is agreed that whoever loses will leave town. Enter the beautiful American Heiress, Christine Colgate (“Here I Am”). The second the tricksters lay eyes on her they decide to make her their target. Freddy jumps at the chance to defraud the heiress and imitates a cripple in need of money for a therapist, Dr. Shuffhausen. Taken in by Freddy’s plight, Christine pledges the required $50,000 (“Nothing Is Too Wonderful To Be True” and “The Miracle”). A delighted Freddy learns from Christine that Dr. Shuffhausen is also staying at the hotel, which leads him to great confusion. That is until he meets the good doctor who turns out to be Lawrence!

Act II

Following a swift reintroduction (“Entr’acte”) Lawrence laboriously performs painful tests on Freddy’s supposedly numb legs in front of Christine (“Ruffhousin’ Mitt Shuffhausen”). Meanwhile the obsessive Muriel meets Andre and the pair fall in love (“Like Zis/Like Zat”).

Lawrence, still posing as a Doctor, tries to move in on Christine (“The More We Dance”). On spending more time with her, he soon reaslises that perhaps she is not as rich as he first suspected. In a swift change of heart Lawrence convinces Freddy to call off the bet, re-challenging him with a new bet, only this time the winner must be the first to bed Christine.

After having Lawrence kidnapped by burly sailors, Freddy rendezvous with Christine back at the hotel. On telling her he needs her help to overcome his paralysis, Christine offers her services (“Love is My Legs”). Freddy soon seems to overcome his ailments and walks to the bed, accidentally falling on Christine. Lawrence arrives and unveils Freddy as a phoney, ordering the same pair of sailors to kidnap Freddy. Lawrence takes Christine to the train station so she can escape the fraudsters (“Love Sneaks In”). Freddy arrives on the scene having escaped the seemingly soft sailors, however he is too late.

Instead of fleeing, Christine shows up at Freddy’s hotel room declaring she couldn’t leave without saying goodbye (“Son of Great Big Stuff”). The pair climb into bed together.

Some hours later Christine arrives at Lawrence’s mansion in tears, claiming Freddy tricked her into making love and then ran away with her money. Out of guilt, Lawrence gives Christine the $50,000 she is missing in a suitcase, although she refuses the money and leaves. Freddy arrives in his underwear claiming Christine knocked him out and then stole from him. Lawrence then checks his suitcase only to find his money is also missing and discovers a note from Christine revealing herself as “The Jackal”. The men are aghast that they were scammed for a change (“The Reckoning”). Christine returns and the fraudsters agree the scam was fun (“Dirty Rotten Number”) and the trio hatch a plan to scam the entire audience together (“Finale”).

 

ESOSOC
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Principal Auditions 22nd January 2017

Lawrence Jameson –Damien De Roche
Freddy Benson – Michael Saunders
Christine Colgate – Philippa Kennedy
Andre Thibault – Mark Nicholson
Muriel Eubanks – Jane Maisey
Jolene Oakes – Julia Rogers

Thank you to everyone who auditioned today – the auditions were very good and the panel had a lot of enjoyment watching you all.

For those that were not successful today you are all accepted as Ensemble if you want to be in the Show but despite that please do turn up tomorrow for the auditions so we can check on numbers as well as there is dancing and also smaller roles to cast.

Thanks again and also to everyone who helped today – Chris Butler (independent Panellist) Nicky Allen, Sally Durrant, Francis Radford, Lynda Barratt-Mercer and Ian Twentyman!

Chris Wait

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, based on the popular 1988 MGM film, takes us to the French Riviera for high jinks and hilarity. Sophisticated, suave with a good dash of mischief, this hysterical comedy was nominated for a staggering 11 Tony Awards.

The action is set on the French Riviera, where a debonair English con man, masquerading as a disinherited prince, seduces unattached ladies and persuades them to part with their cash. He has the local police chief in his pocket and all is going well, until a rival con man arrives in town, and threatens his lucrative pitch. Freddy Benson more humbly swindles women by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother’s failing health.

After meeting on a train, they attempt to work together only to find that this small French town isn’t big enough for the two of them. They agree on a settlement: the first one to extract $50,000 from a young female target, heiress Christine Colgate, wins and the other must leave town. A hilarious battle of cons ensues that will keep audiences laughing, humming and guessing to the end!

This show will be a lot of fun to rehearse and perform. There are three versions of the text in the script, The West End version, the alternative milder Adult version and the schools edition.We will be using the dilaogue from the West End version with only possibly two amends. 

REHEARSALS

Please look at the rehearsal schedule early and plan your availability to fit the rehearsals.

There are four Sundays and one Tuesday rehearsal in addition to our regular Mondays and Thursdays.

This show needs to be slick and the comic pieces rehearsed so they become natural and that requires skill and practice.

Our rehearsal periods are shorter these days and we require the cast to be committed to rehearsals. We will be asking for any planned holidays and absences at the audition stage and rehearsals will be planned to accommodate that - where possible. What will not be acceptable is just missing rehearsals when we are expecting people to be in attendance.

THE SHOW’S CHARACTERS

Main characters

There is a degree of flexibility in the playing ages of the characters. However it is important for the relationships between them to be right.

  • Lawrence and Freddy to be one of Mentor and Student. Lawrence in playing age is definitely the older man.
  • Andre and Lawrence need to appear to have known each for many years.
  • Muriel can be playing age late thirties to early fifties but she must be confident in her herself and flirtatious.
  • Jolene needs to be playing age mid Twenties to mid Thirties.
  • Christine is playing age mid twenties to mid thirties and younger than Freddie .

What is important is that the characters relationships to each other and their demeanour is believable for the comedy to work.

It is important to remember that the ages quoted are PLAYING ages. If you can convincingly play the character in the age range required then we would be delighted to see your audition.

CHARACTERS

Lawrence Jameson  Male Playing age 50's

An older and experienced yet sophisticated con artist. Can be quick-witted and still debonair. Distinguished and cultured. Needs to be able to affect Middle European and German / Austrian accents at different points in the show.

High Baritone

Freddy Benson Male Playing age 35 to 45

A young and inexperienced con man. Quick on his feet but not very bright. Can be crass and inappropriate with little style or grace. Physically active with high energy and great comic timing. A real live wire but very capable of turning on the charm.

High Baritone

Christine Colgate Female Playing age 25 to 35

A younger American heiress vacationing on the French Riviera, and the target of Lawrence and Freddy’s bet. Beautiful with a sweet innocence in style and appearance that underlies all she does and is. Endearingly clumsy.

Mezzo-Soprano

Andre Thibault Male Playing age 40 - 50

The Chief of Police and Lawrence’s French assistant. Distinguished with a strong sense of business and experience. Dry and sardonic but very smart. He knows the ropes and how to bend the rules to his advantage. French accent required.

Baritone

Muriel Eubanks Female Playing Age late 30's - early 50's

A wealthy socialite older than Christine. One of Lawrence’s victims and Andre’s love interest. Definite distinguished wealthy “old money” air. Very glamorous in style and manner with a dry wit.

Mezzo-Soprano

Jolene Oakes Female Playing Age 25- 35

A stereotypical American oil heiress from Oklahoma. “New money” with a loud brash personality. A high energy Southern firecracker with a thick Oklahoma accent. Imagine Ado Annie crossed with Gertie Cummings, having just won the lottery.

Alto (with belt)

Lenore Female

A wealthy socialite and one of Lawrence’s victims.

Mezzo-Soprano

Sophia Female

A wealthy socialite and one of Lawrence’s victims.

Mezzo-Soprano

Renee Female

A wealthy socialite and one of Freddy’s victims. French accent required.

Gerard Male

Renee’s jealous husband.

There are a number of other significant cameo roles also available, and a sizeable ensemble, who play all the other roles in the show. These parts include speaking roles, singing solos, dance soloists and require strong acting abilities in character choices.

SONGS BY CHARACTER

Act I Overture

Give Them What They Want (Broadway) – Lawrence, Andre, Ensemble

What Was a Woman to Do – Muriel, Women

Great Big Stuff – Freddy, Ensemble

Chimp in a Suit – Andre

Oklahoma? – Jolene, Lawrence, Ensemble

All About Ruprecht – Lawrence, Ruprecht, Jolene

What Was a Woman to Do (Reprise) – Muriel

Here I Am – Christine, Ensemble

Nothing is Too Wonderful to Be True – Christine, Freddy

The Miracle (Act I Finale) – Company

 

Act II Entr’acte

Ruffhousin’ Mit Shüffhausen – Lawrence, Freddy, Christine

Like Zis/Like Zat – Andre, Muriel

The More We Dance – Lawrence, Christine, Ensemble

Love is My Legs – Freddy, Christine, Ensemble

Love Sneaks In – Lawrence

Like Zis/Like Zat (Reprise) – Muriel

Son of Great Big Stuff – Freddy, Christine

The Reckoning – Lawrence, Freddy, Andre (with spoken line by Christine)

Dirty Rotten Number – Lawrence, Freddy, Ensemble

Finale – Company

 

ESOSOC
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Principal Auditions 22nd January 2017

Lawrence Jameson – Damien De Roche
Freddy Benson – Michael Saunders
Christine Colgate – Philippa Kennedy
Andre Thibault – Mark Nicholson
Muriel Eubanks – Jane Maisey
Jolene Oakes – Julia Rogers

Thank you to everyone who auditioned today – the auditions were very good and the panel had a lot of enjoyment watching you all.

For those that were not successful today you are all accepted as Ensemble if you want to be in the Show but despite that please do turn up tomorrow for the auditions so we can check on numbers as well as there is dancing and also smaller roles to cast.

Thanks again and also to everyone who helped today – Chris Butler (independent Panellist) Nicky Allen, Sally Durrant, Francis Radford, Lynda Barratt-Mercer and Ian Twentyman!

Chris Wait

 

CHORUS Auditions 23 January 2017

Amelia Hulbert
Annette Harmath-See
Beatrice McDonough
Clare McFadden
Debbie Martin
Diane Mayall
Fenella Machin
Helen Margetts
Jill Day
Jo Williams
Lauren Payne
Louise Wright
Michelle McDonough
Michelle Radcliffe
Nicky Allen
Tracey Brammar


Adrian Martin
Brian Fraser
Chris Powell
Helier Dreux
Jon Ford
Steven Howe
Tim Hatt
Tom Allen
Ziggi Szafranski