Music by Lionel Monckton and Howard Talbot
Lyrics by Arthur Wimperis
New Book by Melvyn Morrow

Co-directors: Robert Ray and Naomi Tooby
Musical Director: Geoffrey Urquhart

Auditions will be held on:

Wednesday 24 September and Monday 29 September (callbacks)
7 – 9:30pm (10 minutes slots)
at SPAAC, 20 McCracken Avenue, Blackburn South

To register for an audition timeslot, please fill out the Audition form below, and the auditions coordinator will confirm a time and date with you.

If you wish to submit a video audition, please email your request so we can agree on how best to achieve this.

Show Outline:

James Smith, a London restaurateur, crash lands his plane in Arcadia and is transformed from a wicked man to a guileless youth by the innocent rural idyll of the locals. Horrified by the idea of city life, Sombra and Chrysaea, two Arcadian nymphs, travel to London with Smith (now Simplicitas) to convert the miserable city-dwellers.

They land at the Askwood Races where Jack Meadows has just fallen in love with Eileen Cavanagh, Smith’s niece. Romantic troubles abound as Jack and Eileen navigate the formalities of Edwardian society. Meanwhile, Mrs Smith has her eyes on the youthful Simplicitas, not realising he is her own husband.

Watch – Highlights from GSOV’s 2011 production in Buxton, UK   (youtube link)

2026 PERFORMANCE DATES:

The Knowe, Sassafras:
21, 22, 28 February, 1, 7, 8, 9 March 2026 at 2pm

The Round, Nunawading:
13, 14 March at 7:30pm
and
14, 15 March at 2pm

Other country location TBC (possibly Queenscliff):
21 March at 2pm and 7:30pm

Rehearsals:

Rehearsal Venue is SPAAC, 20 McCracken Avenue, Blackburn South

• Rehearsals commence 10 November
• Monday and Wednesday evenings 7 – 9:30pm
• Sunday afternoons (after Christmas break) 2 – 5pm
• 17 December – last rehearsal before Christmas
• 29 December – recommence rehearsals
• 4 January 2026 – first Sunday rehearsal

Costs:

Please be advised that all performers will be required to contribute a show fee of $100 full or $80 concession, to help contribute to rehearsal costs. All performers must be GSOV members; those not already a member will also have to pay the $20 GSOV annual membership fee. Information on when and how to pay will be sent to successful auditionees.

Audition Excerpts and Background Material:

Roles:  Standard English accents required, unless otherwise stated. The roles of James Smith/Simplicitas, Jack Meadows and Bobbie have all been precast

Arcadians:

Sombra – Soprano
An Arcadian nymph who travels with Smith/Simplicitas to London to spread truth and beauty.

Chrysaea – Soprano
An Arcadian nymph who travels with Smith/Simplicitas to London to spread truth and beauty.

Strephon – Tenor (Act 1 only – doubled with Reggie in Acts 2 and 3)
An Arcadian shepherd. Part of a comic trio with Astrophel and Damoetas.

Astrophel – Baritone (Act 1 only – doubled with Harry in Acts 2 and 3)
An Arcadian shepherd. Part of a comic trio with Strephon and Damoetas.

Damoetas – speaking role and chorus (Act 1 only – doubled with Percy Marsh in Acts 2 and 3)
An Arcadian shepherd. Part of a comic trio with Astrophel and Strephon. Strong physical comedy.

Father Time – Comic Baritone (Act 1 only – doubled with Peter Doody in Acts 2 and 3)
Arrives in Arcadia for a long overdue visit. Facilitates the arrival of a ‘London savage’ (Smith) and takes Simplicitas, Sombra and Chyrsaea back to London.

Amaryllis – speaking role and chorus alto (Act 1 only – doubled with Lucy Selwyn in Acts 2 and 3)
An Arcadian nymph.

Daphne – speaking role and chorus soprano (Act 1 only – doubled with Marion in Acts 2 and 3)
An Arcadian nymph.

Dryope – chorus alto (Act 1 only – doubled with Beatrice in Acts 2 and 3)
An Arcadian nymph.

Londoners:

Eileen Cavanagh – Soprano (Acts 2 and 3 only)
Irish niece of Mrs Smith. Falls in love with Jack Meadows. Irish accent required.

Mrs Maria Smith – speaking role and chorus (Acts 2 and 3 only)
Outrageous wife of Mr Smith, and Peter Doody’s old flame. Has set up Eileen with Sir George. Chases Simplicitas, not realising he is her husband. Switches between posh English accent and cockney accent.

Peter Doody – Comic Baritone (Acts 2 and 3 only – doubled with Father Time in Act 1)
Miserable jockey, who never wins. Old flame of Mrs Smith. Cockney accent.

Sir George Paddock – speaking role and chorus (Acts 2 and 3 only)
Upper class racing horse owner. Keen on Eileen.

Lady Muriel Barclay – speaking role and chorus (Acts 2 and 3 only)
Upper class lady who can’t stand Mrs Smith.

Percy Marsh – speaking role and chorus (Acts 2 and 3 only – doubled with Damoetas in Act 1)
Enthusiastic observer of the action. Interjects regularly with “Rather!-” but never gets any further.

Lucy Selwyn – chorus alto (Acts 2 and 3 only – doubled with Amaryllis in Act 1)
Racegoer and Arcadian Café patron.

Marion – chorus soprano (Acts 2 and 3 only – doubled with Daphne in Act 1)
Racegoer and Arcadian Café patron.

Beatrice – chorus alto (Acts 2 and 3 only – doubled with Dryope in Act 1)
Racegoer and Arcadian Café patron.

Harry – chorus baritone (Acts 2 and 3 only – doubled with Astrophel in Act 1)
Racegoer and Arcadian Café patron.

Reggie – chorus tenor (Acts 2 and 3 only – doubled with Strephon in Act 1)
Racegoer and Arcadian Café patron.

Audition requirements:

ALL:  

Dialogue excerpts (link)

Audition Vocal Score (link) There are some edits in the version we are presenting.

Sombra
Audition song: The Pipes of Pan –   (pdf link)
Audition dialogue:    from “I say, wouldn’t Astrophel…” (Smith) to “Then he has told a lie!”

Chrysaea
Audition song: I Like London –    (pdf link)
Audition dialogue: p71-71 from “A customer’s just complained…” to “Poor Gannymede!”

Eileen Cavanagh
Audition song: Girl with a Brogue –  (pdf link)
Audition dialogue:   from “Oh, I say Mr Doody” to “Oh, Mr Doody, you’re a card!”

Father Time/Peter Doody   
Audition song: I Quite Forgot Arcadia –  (pdf link)
Audition dialogue:  from “Oh, that old one!” (Daphne) to “… remind me where I am” and    from “Young man, can you give me a tip?” (Mrs Smith) to “I ‘avent’ ridden a winner in thirty years”

Strephon/Reggie
Audition song:   Any G&S of your choice
Audition dialogue: any of the other excerpts

Astrophel/Harry   
Audition song: Verse in opening song “Arcadians Are We” –  (pdf link)
Audition dialogue: any of the other excerpts

Damoetas/Percy Marsh
Audition song:   Any G&S of your choice
Audition dialogue: any of the other excerpts

Mrs Maria Smith
Audition song:   Any G&S of your choice
Audition dialogue:  from “Hello again, Muriel” to “Oh, Peter, really!”

Lady Muriel Barclay
Audition song:   Any G&S of your choice
Audition dialogue:   from “No, no, I’m sure it won last year” to “Excuse me”

Sir George Paddock
Audition song:   Any G&S of your choice
Audition dialogue: from “Oh, and Meadows…” to “… whetted my appetite”

Amaryllis/Lucy Selwyn
Audition song:   Any G&S of your choice
Audition dialogue: any of the other excerpts

Daphne/Marion
Audition song:   Any G&S of your choice
Audition dialogue: any of the other excerpts

Dryope/Beatrice
Audition song:   Any G&S of your choice
Audition dialogue: any of the other excerpts

Auditionees should read the character descriptions and prepare the dialogue or scene excerpt for the particular role(s) they are seeking. It is not necessary for the dialogue to be memorised. Any character ages are only guides as per the storyline. Please prepare any noted audition song for the role(s) you are interested in. You may also prepare any suitable song that shows your vocal style and quality but you must bring a copy of the music for our Accompanist. No pre-recorded audio backing tracks please.