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RED LADDER & WRONGSEMBLE CASTING CALL
A PROPER MERRY CHRISTMESS/A TOWN CALLED CHRISTMAS
Directed by Cheryl Martin / Elvi Piper
Written by Leon Fleming & Seeta Wrightson / Elvi Piper with original music by Bay Bryan and Claire O’Connor
Northern based actors preferably West Yorkshire
Auditions:
Mon 2 June 2025 10am – 2pm and Fri 6 June 2025 11am – 8pm
at Yorkshire Dance, 3 St Peter’s Square, Leeds LS9 8AH
Please select your preferred date and approximate time and we will endeavour to match up
Please apply via Spotlight or send CV and Spotlight link or show reel to cheryl@redladder.co.uk
Deadline – midday Thursday 29 May 2025
You will hear from us by midday Friday 30 May 2025.
If you don’t hear from us then, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Rehearsals in Leeds from 20 October 2025
Tour 24 November – 31 December 2025
A Town Called Christmas – originally co-commissioned with Gala, Durham and Wrongsemble
Red Ladder is an ITC Ethical Manager, issuing ITC contracts.
A PROPER MERRY CHRISTMESS by Red Ladder
It’s Christmas Eve at Sutton Lane, West Yorkshire’s (almost) favourite garden centre and VIPs are visiting the grotto.
As the manager frantically prepares for her close-up, can the the Elf, Santa and the Tree salvage this “naughty but nice” Christmas for the cameras, as well as keep their own personal complications away from the spotlight?
This is not like one of those Christmas movies; no-one’s coming to save them. This is real and funny and messy and chaotic: perfectly imperfect.
A TOWN CALLED CHRISTMAS by Wrongsemble
Clementine dreams of a gingerbread village where chocolate coins are currency, and laughter hangs like baubles in the air! The happiest place on Earth. Or at least it used to be…
Together with a cantankerous caretaker and a glitching robot, can you help her save the day, and the town called Christmas?
For adventurers aged 3+ and their grown-ups.
PERFORMER 1
A PROPER MERRY CHRISTMESS
Rani (female, 19, British South Asian)
Rani is 19 and staying back in her family home for the first time since leaving to start university. She’s feeling the strain of the family unit, and has been drafted into the grotto at the last minute; she needs the money, but she’s hungover as hell. She is super fashionable, has a habit for melodrama, and is keeping a big secret from her family…
A TOWN CALLED CHRISTMAS
Clementine OR Glitch
Clementine (young, female)
Clementine is a young woman (age undefined approx. 18-25) with a romantic spirit and a love of nostalgic Christmases past. She is the eternal optimist, who despite the loss of her beloved Aunt (and primary care-giver) is inspired to turn her loss into something positive by returning to the town that brought her (and her aunt) so much joy. She is smiley, loves festive ‘Dad-jokes’ and has a spring in her step. Highly skilled vocalist required, confident singing 3-part harmonies, comfortable with learning choreography and an interest in work for family audiences desirable.
Glitch (robot, age and gender unimportant)
Glitch is a lovable clumsy hyperactive robot who loves Christmas more than anything. They are forever glitching (hence the name) and have a tendency to short-circuit at the most inopportune of times! Glitch has a heart of gold, and will sacrifice anything to save the town they love to care for. They are Tim’s lifelong sidekick and best pal, and quickly forge a friendship with Clementine on her arrival to the town. Highly skilled vocalist required, confident singing 3-part harmonies, comfortable with learning choreography and an interest in work for family audiences desirable.
PERFORMER 2
A PROPER MERRY CHRISTMESS
Michael (male, early to mid 50’s, non-ethnicity specific)
Michael has been made redundant from his job of 30 years, and it’s hit him hard. He’s been working at the grotto for the whole season, dressed as Santa, which he finds degrading and onerous – not least because he doesn’t like children! He’s desperately searching for purpose, and can be very single-minded – but under the grumpy exterior, there’s a kind heart.
A TOWN CALLED CHRISTMAS
Tim (older male)
Tim (aka Tiny Tim) is the grumpy curmudgeonly caretaker of the town. With a gruff frosty exterior he takes an instant dislike of Clementine and her eternal optimism. But, as the last remaining human resident of the town he has good reason for his axe-to-grind attitude, and unwillingness to be easily swayed into Clementine’s plan to restore the township. However a secret long buried in his past will ultimately unlock not only the key to saving the town, but also his heart. Highly skilled vocalist required, confident singing 3-part harmonies, comfortable with learning choreography and an interest in work for family audiences desirable.
PERFORMER 3
A PROPER MERRY CHRISTMESS
Red (female or non-binary/queer, early 20s, non-ethnicity specific)
Red is a Queer single parent, and carer to their elderly Mum. They work multiple jobs to support the family, but what they really dream about is making it as a singer someday. They are relentlessly upbeat, and see the best in everyone, even if that makes them a little naive sometimes.
A TOWN CALLED CHRISTMAS
Clementine OR Glitch
Clementine (young, female)
Clementine is a young woman (age undefined approx. 18-25) with a romantic spirit and a love of nostalgic Christmases past. She is the eternal optimist, who despite the loss of her beloved Aunt (and primary care-giver) is inspired to turn her loss into something positive by returning to the town that brought her (and her aunt) so much joy. She is smiley, loves festive ‘Dad-jokes’ and has a spring in her step. Highly skilled vocalist required, confident singing 3-part harmonies, comfortable with learning choreography and an interest in work for family audiences desirable.
Glitch (robot, age and gender unimportant)
Glitch is a lovable clumsy hyperactive robot who loves Christmas more than anything. They are forever glitching (hence the name) and have a tendency to short-circuit at the most inopportune of times! Glitch has a heart of gold, and will sacrifice anything to save the town they love to care for. They are Tim’s lifelong sidekick and best pal, and quickly forge a friendship with Clementine on her arrival to the town. Highly skilled vocalist required, confident singing 3-part harmonies, comfortable with learning choreography and an interest in work for family audiences desirable.
Below are a pdf and a plain text version of the call. If you have any further questions, please email cheryl@redladder.co.uk
