by Sebastian Faulks, adapted by Rachel Wagstaff. Directed by Imogen Front.
Performance dates and venues :
Evenings at 7.30pm : Wednesday 11 – Saturday 14 November and Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 November
Matinées at 3pm on Saturdays 14 and 21 November
To be performed at the Tower Theatre, Stoke Newington
Audition dates and times :
Sunday 23 August from 11am and Tuesday 25 August from 6pm at the Tower Theatre.
Possible recalls on Thursday 27 August from 6pm.
Auditions
Please email the director, Imogen Front, to book an audition, specifying which role(s) you’d like to audition for. Audition materials will be sent out in advance of the auditions. Please familiarise yourself with the lines, but don’t feel you have to memorise them. A full copy of the script will be made available at the Tower Bar.
Auditions are for Tower Theatre Company Members only.
If you would like to join the Company, please click here and email [email protected] for more information
When auditioning please give the director any dates during the rehearsal period that you are unavailable.
About the Play
France, 1910. Stephen Wraysford, a young Englishman, visits Amiens on business and finds himself distracted and soon entranced by Isabelle Azaire, a married woman. Six years later, he returns to France as a soldier, worn down by war, loss, and heartbreak. Now the leader of a wayward troop of young men, Stephen must face the ghosts of his own past and try to stay human in an increasingly inhuman world.
First performed in 2010, Rachel Wagstaff’s celebrated adaptation of the best-selling novel by Sebastian Faulks has gained critical acclaim across the UK. Described as a “tour de force of writing” (The Latest), Birdsong beautifully captures the intensity and complexity of love, loss, courage and friendship, against the backdrop of the First World War.
Casting Breakdown
Please note that actors may be asked to play multiple parts, and most actors will double as part of the ensemble. We will only be considering actors above the age of 18.
Please also note that Birdsong features a range of traditional songs from the period. We are not looking for experienced singers, but most of the cast may be asked to sing as part of the ensemble. If you would like to audition for the role of Tom Brennan, please specify your singing experience and if possible, prepare 1 verse and 1 chorus of an a capella song, to be performed at the audition.
Stephen Wraysford (Male, 20s-30s)
A young man with a troubled past, travelling to France on business. Initially gentle, idealistic and lonely, Stephen grows jaded as war begins and he becomes an officer in the British army. He is haunted by his relationship with Isabelle and the violence of war. Please note that Stephen needs to appear a little younger than Isabelle.
Jack Firebrace (Male, 30s)
A sapper digging tunnels in the war. Jack is thoughtful, loyal and loving, caring for his fellow soldiers and praying for the safety of his wife and son back home. He is the emotional heart of the play’s wartime scenes.
Isabelle Azaire (Female, late 20s-30s)
The wife of a wealthy factory owner, Isabelle appears calm and composed, but represses her feelings of powerlessness and frustration with her husband’s cruel treatment of his workers, and her attraction to young visitor Stephen. Please note that Isabelle needs to appear a little older than Stephen.
René Azaire/Captain Gray (Male, 40s-60s; Scottish accent for Captain Gray)
A self-important factory owner who bullies those around him. Azaire is cruel and neglectful of his wife, and unaware of her inner life. This actor will also play Captain Gray, Stephen’s intelligent and compassionate commanding officer.
Lisette Azaire (Female, 15-16)
Daughter of René and stepdaughter of Isabelle, Lisette is playful and flirtatious, especially with the visiting Stephen. Although close to her stepmother she is at heart very lonely.
Bérard/Colonel Barclay (Male, 50+)
Bérard is a pompous town-councillor who prides himself on his respectability and traditionalism, while looking down on foreigners and all those he feels are ‘beneath’ him. This actor will also play Colonel Barclay, a dignified leader of troops.
Lucien Lebrun (Male, 20s-30s)
An idealistic union leader, Lebrun fights for better rights for his fellow factory workers and gains the respect and admiration of Isabelle. This actor will multi-role as one of the soldiers.
Jeanne Fourmentier (Female, 30s – early 40s)
Isabelle’s kind, witty older sister. Jeanne is desperate to avoid marriage. She is grounded and protective of her younger sister, but also finds solace and connection in Stephen.
Arthur Shaw (Male, 30s, Sheffield accent)
A tunneller in the war, Arthur is brave, kind, and stoic. Jack’s best friend, he provides calm steady support to the men in the trenches.
Michael Tipper (Male, 15, Cockney accent)
A young new recruit who lied about his age when signing up. Tipper is horrified by the realities of war and frightened by the prospect of fighting.
Tom Brennan (Male, 20s-30s, Irish accent)
A warm-hearted soldier who uses humour to lighten the load of warfare. Brennan is the musical heart of the play, using song as a weapon for morale. Required to sing solo – please bring a short a capella song to the audition.
Joseph Evans (Male, 20s, Welsh accent)
A cocky tunneller who uses humour to fit in. Evans is full of bravado, but in reality is just as scared as Tipper and is desperate to go home.
Ensemble (all)
Soldiers, officers, barmaids, nurses, orderlies, chaplains, sex workers, factory workers.
A word on accents
Where noted, accents are a guideline. If no accent is specified, feel free to use your own accent or any that feels appropriate. If you are confident with a particular accent, please highlight this at the audition, but do not be deterred from reading for characters who have specified accents, as we will be able to find dialect help if needed.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will begin on 6 September, and will take place from 7-9.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 11am-3pm on Sundays. Please provide any dates you are unavailable at the auditions. The get-in will take place on Sunday 8 November, and all members of the cast are expected to be available. Please also keep free Monday 9 November and Tuesday 10 November for the technical and dress rehearsals.
 Imogen Front has worked on a range of Tower shows since joining the company in 2024, including acting roles in The Chimes, The Secret Garden and Brief Encounter, and operating lighting for Clyde’s. Outside the Tower, Imogen is an actor, with recent roles including Mary Bennet in Pride and Prejudice for BBC Radio 4, and several audiobooks for Harper Collins. She assistant directed last year’s Black Men Walking at the Tower and cannot wait to make her directorial debut with Birdsong. |
Costume Design: Kathleen Morrison
Lighting Design: Stephen Ley
Sound Design: Colin Guthrie
Stage Managers: Neha Das and Sarah Ambrose
Assistant Director: Alistair Brown