There are five roles to fill for our brand new musical Sanctuary directed by Cheryl Martin and written by Boff Whalley and Sarah Woods.

Rehearsal dates: 19th Aug – 15th Sept 2024

Production week commencing 16th Sept 2024

Tour dates: 19th Sept – 6th Nov 2024

When Alland, a young Iranian man, begs to be given sanctuary at St. Mary’s church in a northern town, it sparks a community to react in all the ways each member believes to be right.

Molly, a young worker there, joins forces with vicar Fiona to resist both the angry vigilantes and the hard-hearted authorities beyond the church walls to try to protect Alland.

The roles:

1. Alland, playing age 19 – 25, Iranian [Kurdish]. Must be strong singer/actor.

Alland, a young journalist, went to protests in Iran supporting women who refuse compulsory hijab [headscarf] rules following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who had been detained for allegedly breaking those rules. After posting on social media in support of the protests, Alland was targeted by the Iranian authorities and had to flee. Both Iranian women and men have been detained, tortured, and some have died as a result of the protests.

Although Alland reached the UK and claimed asylum, his application failed. Rather than go back to persecution in Iran, he seeks the ancient right of sanctuary in an Anglican church. But once there, Alland finds himself torn: his presence has attracted unwelcome attention from vigilantes, and he doesn’t want to be responsible for bringing trouble to people who are trying to help him.

2. Molly, playing age 18-25, British. Must be strong singer/actor. Yorkshire.

Molly doesn’t just clean her local Anglican church, she looks on it as an oasis of Calm, an escape from her turbulent relationship with her father. When she first literally stumbles across Alland hiding in the church, she’s afraid of him, rejecting him out of hand. But as she gets to know him, and starts to empathise with his need to find an oasis, she begins to become a passionate supporter of his right to find a safe haven in the UK.

3. Fiona, playing age 38 – 45. British. Must be strong singer/actor. Yorkshire.

Fiona is vicar of a Leeds Anglican church. She’s more used to helping the homeless Than struggling with the ins and outs of Home Office policy. But she feels that her beliefs have real-world consequences, and that means supporting and protecting the stranger at her door, Alland. And that leads her to a clash with Church authorities. She has to become resourceful to try and save Alland from deportation.

4. Kamran, playing age 24- 30. British [Pakistani]. Must be strong singer/actor. Yorkshire.

Kamran, a friend of Molly’s older brother, was never prouder than when he became a policeman. He’s also proud of his immigrant parents, who came to the UK from Pakistan with nothing and built a good life here for themselves and their children. Following the rules worked for them; it’s worked for him, and he believes it will work for everyone. And he believes making sure everyone follows the rules will make life better. But even he feels the moral quagmire that Alland’s predicament embodies.

5. Peter, playing age 40 – 55. British. Must be strong singer/actor and pianist. Yorkshire.

Peter has worked hard to climb the Anglican hierarchy and become Archdeacon. He Believes in the Church as a leading force for good in the world, and does his best to support the vicars under his care. He doesn’t mind stretching a little to allow a vicar to try to do more for their congregation, or those who need more. But faced with Alland’s situation, and Fiona’s dilemma over supporting him, Peter begins to run out of road.

Auditions:
Molly & Alland – Thursday 6th June 2024 in Leeds (venue tbc)

Fiona, Kamran & Peter – Friday 7th June 2024 in Leeds (venue tbc)

To apply: please contact Cheryl Martin – cheryl@redladder.co.uk stipulating which role and enclosing CV and links to videos and spotlight.

Deadline for submissions: 12pm Monday 20th May 2024 – you will hear from us by Friday 24th May 2024

Red Ladder is an ITC Ethical Manager, issuing ITC contracts.
Because of the inclusion of a community chorus, there may be some evening and weekend working, with time off in lieu.