Flibbertigibbet Theatre is looking for 2 extraordinary performers with skills in physical theatre, clown, and the ability to tell a story with sensitivity and pathos for their new show The Farmer and The Clown, adapted from the picture book by Marla Frazee and touring from February 2024. Inspired by silent movies, such as Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid, the show plays without words. A supporting soundtrack will be performed live throughout the show, specially composed by Bristol-based band, JOW.
As a company based and rehearsing in Bristol, we are keen to meet Bristol and South West performers. Supported by Arts Council England, and partners, The Bristol Old Vic and Wyldwood Arts, the show is touring to a variety of venues; theatres, (including Bristol Old Vic, Egg Theatre, Cheltenham Everyman, Front Room WSM) and community centres in the Forest of Dean and across the South West. The show is aimed at audiences of all ages, particularly encouraging inter-generational audiences sharing a space. They will mostly be daytime performances, with 2 shows a day. With a small touring team, we expect everyone to share get-in and get-out responsibilities.
Casting
The Farmer
An older-playing male-identifying performer (40’s +). He is stiff, tired, and dour as he goes through his daily routine, alone. He resents the presence of the child, but over time, we see him soften and become more playful. He dances, learns to juggle (badly) and finds ways to entertain. Needs good comic timing. Puppetry, dance, mime and physical theatre are all key skills of interest to us.
The Clown
A younger-playing performer (20’s) of any gender identity. The Clown is physical, energetic, enthusiastic and playful, which sometimes results in chaos. However, we also see their vulnerability, in a strange place, missing home. We are looking for comic timing, good physical theatre and dance. Any basic acrobatic skills would be helpful.
Equal Opportunities We encourage Deaf / Hard of Hearing performers to apply. We have access support funding in place, and we will work with you to provide support or working arrangements that you may need, such as a BSL interpreter, to deliver your best work.
We encourage people whose backgrounds and lived experience are underrepresented in the sector to apply. This includes people from working class backgrounds, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, and people from Black, Asian, traveller, mixed heritage or other global majority backgrounds.
Application Please send an acting CV with photo (or Spotlight link) and a short accompanying letter which gives us a bit of information about yourself and the role you would like to be considered for. If you would prefer, you can record a short video instead, maximum of 3 minutes in length. Send applications to: info@flibbertigibbettheatre.co.uk If you have any further questions, please do get in touch.
Deadline for applications will be 27th September 2023
Auditions The auditions will be held in Bristol. If invited to audition, you will be asked to take part in a group workshop as well as prepare a short, wordless piece to perform for us (we will send you more information in advance). A maximum of 3 hours per session, there will be morning or afternoon slots available. Please inform us if you require a BSL interpreter.
About us Flibbertigibbet Theatre is a small company that collaborates with artists across artforms to develop new forms of theatre work, with an aim to reach new audiences. Our early years’ show, Babble, worked with sound artists and was part of Making & Believing – a collaboration between Take Art, Derby Art & Surrey Arts to take specially made theatre into nursery settings. Babble is part of Tiny Ideas Festival in Oxford this autumn. “All children were captivated, totally absorbed in the action and came back animated and eager to share their experience.” “Carefully considered, exciting and inclusive …” (Head of Early Years, Brunel Fields Primary) “I think the boxes are magic….” (Audience member)
The Farmer and The Clown was developed with Wyldwood Arts in The Forest of Dean, where we worked with youth groups, schools and a care home to explore storytelling and ideas of ‘Home’. Our work-in-progress performances were shared back to the communities. “Great entertainment for 0-100 years. Makes you laugh and tugs at the heartstrings. Delightful.” (Audience member at work-in-progress performance)
Production Dates:
Rehearsals (in Bristol)– 15thJan 2024 (4 weeks – Mon to Fri)
Production week – 12th Feb
Premiere (Bristol Old Vic, Weston Studio) – 14th– 17th Feb
Tour includes shows every weekend – full schedule TBC
Tour ends – 17th March 2024
Please note: There is a small chance the tour may extend through the Easter Holidays (ending 14th April). We should be able to confirm this by the auditions.
This is a fixed period non-Equity contract – Pay £550 a week