Town Players Announces Auditions For ‘A Child’s Christmas In Wales’

Auditions for Dylan Thomas’s A Child’s Christmas in Wales, to be directed by Mary Poile and staged this holiday season by The Town Players of Newtown, will be held Sunday and Monday, October 10-11, from 7 to 9 pm, at The Little Theatre, 18 Orchard Hill Road in Newtown.

Thomas’s classic story brings to life the author’s childhood memories of family Christmases spent in his native Wales.

Originally inspired by a 1987 British television version adapted by Jon Glascoe and Peter Kreutzer, the script uses material from earlier pieces by Thomas, which formed the basis for his classic story. Poile first directed the play for Town Players in 1999 and subsequently adapted the script for Yale New Haven radio. The radio adaptation is being used for this production.

While remaining faithful to Thomas’s written word, this stage adaptation combines elements of radio interspersed with vignettes, music and song, performed by an ensemble of actors playing multiple roles and using simple techniques to showcase Thomas’s extraordinary gift for language.

The staging of this show will, in fact, be reminiscent of Town Players’ popular and critically acclaimed production of A Christmas Carol in 2009.

The director is looking for men and women with good singing voices and versatility, age range 30s to 60s. There are also a few parts for boys aged 10-12. A credible Welsh accent is a plus.

The production will run Fridays and Saturdays, November 26 to December 4, with an 8 pm curtain; and Sunday afternoons, November 28 and December 5, at 2pm. Extra matinées may be added.

New stage hands and tech crew are always welcome. Experience is helpful but not necessary; training will be provided.

In addition, a musician/musical director (piano/keyboard) is also being sought. Anyone interested in any of these positions is encouraged to attend the auditions or send email to TownPlayers@yahoo.com.

Other audition times may be arranged for anyone unable to attend on the above dates. Send an email or call 203-270-9144, extension 3, for further information.

The Little Theater is at 18 Orchard Hill Road, off South Main Street (Route 25) in Newtown. For inquiries about reservations, tickets, directions, audition information or anything else, send an email to the above address, call 203-270-9144, or visit NewtownPlayers.org.