James and the Giant Peach
by Roald Dahl
Adapted by David Wood
Directed by Rachel McNamara

New Theatre is pleased to announce its first production for 2008 –
Roald Dahl's classic James and the Giant Peach.

We welcome to New Theatre Rachel McNamara who has been working in
children's theatre across Australia and in South Korea with LATT
Children's Theatre.

Synopsis:
When young James Henry Trotter is orphaned as a result of a freak
rampaging rhinoceros incident, his miserable, mangy aunts Spiker and
Sponge take him in - and make his life a misery.

James meets a mysterious old man who offers him a bag of crocodile
tongues, which he accidentally drops next to an old peach tree. Some
truly incredible things start to happen overnight, a magnificent and
gigantic peach grows, and its oversized inhabitants - Centipede,
Earthworm, Grasshopper, Ladybird and Spider - befriend James and
bring happiness and excitement to his life again. James and his
newfound mates set off on a fantastical adventure that takes the
Giant Peach from the bottom of the garden across the Atlantic Ocean,
to the 'Big Apple' itself - New York!

Performance Dates: 3 – 25 January 2008 (Wed – Sun @ 1pm)

PLEASE NOTE: These are all matinee performances, so all cast and crew
will be required during the day. Please do not audition unless you
are available to perform during this period.

Auditions: Tuesday 20 & Wednesday 21 November from 6pm (15 min slots)
Callbacks: Sunday 25 November

Requirements: Please prepare a one minute short story or monologue,
one song or physical routine that showcases any special skills you
may have - puppetry and musical instruments in particular.

Copies of the script are available to read in the office during
administration hours. Please contact Luke or Alice on 9519 3403 to
make an appointment.

Characters: All characters will be played by ADULT actors

JAMES (Male)
Our young hero; from a downtrodden, lonely child, he develops into a
brave "captain" of the insect band. He also acts as Narrator.

OLD GREEN GRASSHOPPER (Male)
Elderly, genial, courteous, avuncular, musical; he helps narrate.
Preferable if the actor can play a string instrument such as violin
or ukulele/guitar.

MISS SPIDER (Female)
Occasionally sharp, even a little sinister, but ultimately kind; her
marathon thread-spinning to help save the peach is truly heroic.

CENTIPEDE (Male or Female)
A sparky, cocky, warm-hearted Jack-the-lad.

LADYBIRD (Female)
Posh though not prissy, pretty though not vain, volatile though level
headed.

EARTHWORM (Male or Female)
Not only blind, but a pessimist, a doom merchant whose standing in
the group and whose self-esteem improves no end, thanks to James

All actors double as other characters throughout the play

We are also seeking people who can act as puppeteers / crew

NOTE: New Theatre is non-professional, membership based organisation.
This project is unpaid.