Family Album at G Live – auditions.
A chance to sink your teeth into world-class contemporary British theatre.
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
” At its heart, Family Album is a play about the invisible threads that tie us to our past, our spaces, and each other. By staging this production in the round and in the intimate confines of the Bellerby Studio at G Live, we are inviting the audience directly into the pressure cooker of this family’s history. I am looking for an ensemble cast with strong physical awareness, sharp comic instincts, and the bravery to lean into the poignant heartbreaks that sit just beneath the laughter.”
Here is why you need to be in the audition room:
- A Unique Ensemble Challenge: Because three eras share the stage at the exact same time, you will navigate a brilliant “time-splitting” structure. It requires razor-sharp physical awareness, precise blocking, and deep ensemble trust.
- Rich, Multi-Layered Characters: The play chronicles 70 years of changing social attitudes through beautifully flawed, complex people. Whether playing the quiet desperation of 1950s Peggy, the chaotic spiral of 1992 Sandra, or the fierce independence of modern-day Alison, these are deeply rewarding roles.
- The Compelling Edge of John Stanton: For male actors, John provides a masterclass in performing “coercive charm.” He isn’t a cartoon villain; he masks his casual chauvinism beneath a teddy-bear exterior and sweet “darlings.” He presents an incredible dramatic challenge: subtly shifting the room’s atmosphere, closing down Peggy’s horizons, and making decisions that echo destructively through generations.
- The Brilliant Physical Comedy of the Removal Men: Perfect for physical performers or comic actors, the two removal men serve as a hilarious, silent link across time. Played by the same two actors in both 1952 and 2022, they transition from the polite, long-suffering, and muted exasperation of the post-war era to the chain-smoking, irreverent “UpYours” movers of today. It is a physical comedy goldmine driven entirely by expressive body language, wry smiles, and glances.
- Masterclass in Tragicomedy: Ayckbourn is the master of wrapping high-stakes domestic drama inside sharp, laugh-out-loud wit. You get to flex both your comedic timing and your heavy dramatic acting muscles in the exact same scene.
- A Fresh, Masterful Script: As one of Ayckbourn’s recent works, it feels incredibly fresh while retaining his signature theatrical magic. It is a fantastic, crowd-pleasing project to add to your acting resume.
Apply to audition here
