by Richard Bean and Oliver Chris
Play reading: 7.45pm, Tues 24 June 2025
Auditions: 7.45pm, Fri 5 September 2025 or 10am, Sun 14 September 2025
Production dates: 25 June – 4 July 2026 (Miller Theatre)
27 – 30 July 2026 (Minack Theatre, Cornwall)
Summer 1940. After an aerial dog fight, Pilot Officer Jack Absolute flies home to rejoin his intrepid young Hurricane squadron.
Back on British soil, Jack is shocked to find his old flame, Lydia, on the base. Setting his sights on winning her heart, but with
turbulence and hilarity never far away, Jack’s advances quickly turn to anarchy when the young heiress demands to be loved on her own terms.
Sheridan’s classic comedy of manners, The Rivals, is given an uproarious Battle of Britain update by Richard Bean, the award-winning writer of One Man, Two Guvnors, and Oliver Chris.
This will be a pukka, bang-on experience for all involved, on or off stage. No deployment is small as we defend the honour of the Miller Theatre!
Simply think The 39 Steps, mixed with One Man Two Guvnors and a dash of The Dam Busters. There will be comedy, high-jinks, dancing and drama.
All personnel assigned to 77 Miller Squadron will be key in the smooth-running double mission, firstly at RAF Caterham and then on our tour of duty at RAF Minack, Cornwall.
We need commitment. We need people willing to get stuck in, no matter what rank and produce a production worthy of many military medals… well a good round of applause and a well received review will suffice. Bunting may be involved. What-ho!
If you have any questions about the auditions, muster times, acting requirements, carpentry skills or the ability to hoover out a MK1 Hurricane, drop us a line and we will endeavour to get back to you via morse code. Let’s scramble this squadron!
Characters
Pilot Officer Jack Absolute – male, 20s/30s
First Officer Lydia Languish – female, 20s/30s
Mrs Malaprop – female, 50s/60s
Pilot Officer Roy Faulkland – male, 20s/30s
Julia Melville – female, 20s/30s
Lucy – female, 20s-40s
Major General Sir Anthony Absolute – male, 50s/60s
Pilot Officer Bob Acres – male, 30s/40s
Pilot Officer Bikram ‘Tony’ Khattri – male, Sikh, 20s-30s
Intelligence Officer Brian Coventry – male, 40s/50s
Warrant Officer 2 Dudley Scunthorpe – male, 30s/40s
Flight Officer Peter Kingsmith – male, 20s-40s
Flight Sergeant Stuart Sampson – gender neutral, 20s-40s
Ensemble / Stage Hands / Dancers – Now we all know how these guys and girls are the engine room of any production and without them, the other luvvies would sink in the drink. The personnel required to join ‘ 77 Miller Squadron’ will be in costume as stage hands and background artistes. Fit and able is key! For the Minack production only, extra dancers are required to fill the stage during a spectacular dance performance.
The play reading evening is a social evening to learn more about the play and to meet the director and other members of the Miller Theatre Company. This is held in the Studio.
Auditions are held on a Friday evening and a Sunday afternoon in the theatre a few weeks later. You only need to attend one of these audition days. The director and members of the production team will be on hand to welcome you and answer any questions you may have.
The Audition Notice contains a synopsis of the play, a description of the characters and relevant dates and contact details. It also contains a list of audition pieces so that any potential cast members can prepare for their audition.
The Studio is located behind the main theatre. Entry to the theatre for the auditions is via the Stage Door at the back of the theatre. Access to the Studio and Stage Door is via the side gate on the right of the theatre (click here for map).