The Hired Man - Casting
This choral/folk musical will provide a unique singing and performing experience for the entire cast. The beautiful interior of St James's Church and its wonderful acoustics provide the perfect English aesthetic for the show's epic themes and soaring melodies.

Choreography
The choreography and movement in this production will be rooted in the physical life of rural communities, drawing on folk traditions, social dance and the efforts of manual labour. It won’t require performers to have specific dance experience – but the storytelling will require rhythm, and energy and a level of precision. 

Embracing this opportunity, we plan to supplement the cast with a non-acting choir - singing onbook - to offer the vocal scale and power that the composer, Howard Goodall, originally intended.

Performance and casting venue
St James's Church
46 St James's Road
Hampton Hill
TW12 1DQ




Key Dates:
Launch/Workshop: Mon 13th April, 7.30pm (church)
Workshop: Wed 15th April, 7.30pm (church)
Workshop: Mon 20th April, 7.30pm (church)
Auditions: Sat 25th April, 7.30pm (church hall)
Show week: Wed 4 - Sat 7 November, (church)

Rehearsals
Principals and ensemble: From late July/early August - two/three times a week in Teddington/Hampton Hill.
Choir: Once a week from September, Teddington/Hampton Hill.

Accents
In performance, all roles will require a Cumbrian accent - for which there'll be dialogue coaching. For auditions, a generic northern accent will suffice.

Principals
John Tallentire - (playing age 20-35)
The everyman protagonist of the show's title. Hard-working, fiercely loyal, stubborn. A worrier who finds it hard to enjoy life. A lead role for a big voice with musical range to match - baritone to high tenor. 

Emily Tallentire - (playing age 20-35)
John's wife - has high hopes for married life with John but quickly gets bored of his devotion to work. Frustrated by his lack of joy and the sheer toil of day-to-day life, she seeks love elsewhere. A decision that stays with her forever. Her dilemma is at the heart of the show. These were times when working class people had few choices. Soprano.

Seth Tallentire - (playing age 20-35)
John's earnest brother. A miner who fights for union rights and encourages John to leave his poorly paid hired farm work and join him in down the pit. High baritone.

Issac Tallentire - (playing age 20-35)
John's more carefree brother. Lives the "life of riley" gambling, wrestling and fox-hunting. Epitomises the traditions and culture of the Cumbrian fells. High baritone.

Jackson Pennington - (playing age 25-50)
Village jack-the-lad who's restless to get more from life. Spots a kindred spirit in Emily and tempts her away from John. Requires swagger and arrogance but becomes hero towards the end of the story. High baritone.

Sally Wrangham - (playing age 18-25)
Emily's best friend in Crossbridge, she's on the look-out for a husband. Emily and Sally share the duet "Who will you marry." Sally is attracted to Jackson but he only has eyes for Emily. Actor cast will also play various roles in the ensember. Mezzo.

May Tallentire - (playing age 18-25)
John and Emily's teenage daughter. First appears at the beginning of Act Two on a return trip to the fells and revels in the beauty and freedom they offer. Spirited and curious. Sings "You never see the sun." Will play ensemble roles in Act One. Mezzo

Harry Tallentire - (playing age 18-25)
John and Emily's teenage son and May's younger brother. First appears with May on their return to the fells. Eager and energetic. Wants to follow in his Dad's footsteps, first going down the pit and then into the World War One trenches after lying about his age. Killed in action. Will play ensemble roles in Act One

Ted Blacklock - (playing age 25 - 40)
Anti-union rabble-rouser who battles Seth for control of the union meeting in Act Two. Baritone

Ensemble roles
Farmers, publican, soldiers, miners, recruiting officer, landlady, sons, daughters, wives and mothers. Ensemble is a vital part of this show and there are opportunities to play multiple roles, several with sizeable chunks of dialogue. In addition to the roles listed above we require at least eight male presenting actors and four female for the ensemble.

GET IN TOUCH
If you'd like to audition or if you have questions about the show or the roles described, please fill out the form below. Also, if you'd like to be considered for a role but are unavailable on the audition date, do get in touch.