Here’s your chance to star in a show (or help backstage)

Are you ready to Brush Up Your Shakespeare for an experience that’s Too Darn Hot to miss? Oh, go on, it could be Wunderbar!

In case you’ve missed the subtle clues, the Joseph Rowntree Theatre Company is staging a three-night run of Kiss Me Kate from February 7-9 2019 to raise money for building improvements at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, its Art Deco home on Haxby Road, York.

The company made its debut in February this year with a high-kicking, goose-stepping version of The Producers, which raised £4,500 for the 83-year-old theatre, originally built to provide ‘recreational and educational activities’ for employees of Rowntree chocolate works.

Now, it’s looking for local stars to take on the principal and ensemble roles in the Cole Porter classic Kiss Me Kate, a musical originally written by Samuel and Bella Spewack (now there’s a name) as a groundbreaking show-within-a-show.

Join the show

It revolves around the conflict on and off-stage between Fred Graham, tasked with directing a musical version of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, and his leading lady (and ex-wife) Lilli Vanessi.

A secondary romance concerns Lois Lane (no, not that one), the actress playing Bianca, and her gambler boyfriend Bill who – surprise, surprise – runs into trouble with some local hoodlums.

As well as the four main parts, the Joseph Rowntree Theatre Company is also casting numerous supporting, cameos, ensemble and one-line roles.

If you prefer to be backstage, it’s also looking for musicians, wardrobe assistants and DIYers who can turn their hand to making and painting scenery.

The show’s director and producer Kayleigh Oliver said:

• Kiss Me Kate has something for everyone with lots of opportunities to get involved, from starring spotlight roles to the large and varied ensemble.

  It helps if you can sing, act or dance a bit, but no experience is needed and everyone will be made very welcome at our auditions. The main things you need are enthusiasm, a passion for teamwork and a sense of fun.