Private Fears in Public Places

By Alan Ayckbourn

Directed by David Whiteley

Application Deadline: Friday February 21

Audition Dates: February 23‒24

Production Dates: tech June 15‒17, performances June 18‒28

Performance location: The Gladstone Theatre, Ottawa, ON

Audition Information: Auditions are open to union and non-union artists age 18 or over. If interested in being considered but unavailable Feb 23-24, please submit anyway, noting your need for accomodation.

Only those selected for auditions will be contacted. Audition location and requirements will be provided to those selected for auditions. We promise, it won’t be onerous!

To Apply: Send an email to info@plosive.ca by end of day, February 21 with the following:

CV and headshot
City of residence (and ties to Ottawa if not currently a resident)
Indicate any limitations on your availability for Feb 23 & 24 in-person auditions and/or need for accommodations
Optional: you may—but are not required to—identify which role(s) you wish to auditon for (see below for character breakdown)

Casting Statement: Plosive Productions is committed to reflect the diversity of our community in our casting, and is determined to fight against under-representation and discrimination in all its forms through our work. To this end we strongly encourage artists of all gender identities, races, cultures, ethnicities, sexual orientations and abilities to apply, and will prioritize IBPOC and 2SLGBTQQIA+ artists, and those from other equity-deserving communities. If you require accommodation during the application and/or casting process, let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Plosive is committed to supporting its local theatre community by prioritizing Ottawa-based artists. Applicants should have strong ties to Ottawa and be able to participate as local Ottawa-based artists, understanding that the production will have no budget to cover travel or accommodation costs.

About the Show

Finally, an Ayckbourn play for the 21st century! Written a year after Love Actually and echoing some of its best elements, but better: while Love Actually is all heart and belly laughs, Private Fears has heart, belly and brain. Sir Alan has previously tickled Gladstone audiences with his well-known early hits How the Other Half Loves, Bedroom Farce, Absurd Person Singular and The Norman Conquests. In this more mature work, “Britain’s Neil Simon” trades in the artifice of his earlier plays for a contemporary, film-like style. Private Fears depicts the loneliness of life in the big city. Though the style may be new, Ayckbourn’s genius shines bright as ever. With his trademark mix of humour, insight and compassion, Sir Alan deftly interweaves three stories about six Londoners searching for love, sex, and a decent apartment.

Character Breakdown (in order of speaking):

All characters live in London, England and need to be performed with an appropriate UK accent (whether RP, London or other UK accent TBD which may vary between characters)

Nicola: Female presenting. Late 20s to early 40s. Engaged to Dan; client of Stewart. Assertive, independent and ambitious—the responsible one in her long relationship with Dan, but she’s finally running out of patience. The most “together” character of the play—but is she, really?

Stewart: Male presenting. Probably 30s to 50s. Brother of Imogen; works with Charlotte; Nicola’s real estate agent. Strives to be professional, well-meaning and helpful, but can be quite awkward. The most bumbling character of the play.

Dan: Male presenting. Late 20s to early 40s. Engaged to Nicola; frequents hotel where Ambrose works; dates Imogen. Often coming off as irresponsible and chauvanistic, he also has a charming side. The most loud and unfiltered character of the play.

Ambrose: Male presenting. Probably 40s to 60s. Bartender at the hotel Dan frequents; employs Charlotte to care for his aging & ill father. Usually keeps his personal life to himself, but cautiously divulges being queer, childhood trauma and adult heartbreak. The most guardedly melancholic character of the play.

Charlotte: Female presenting. At least 20s, but could be much older. Works with Stewart; moonlights as a temporary carer for Ambrose’s father. She appears to be devoutly Christian, but also has a hidden sexual persona. The most cryptic and ambiguous character of the play.

Imogen: Female presenting. Probably 30s to 50s. Sister of Stewart; dates Dan. Lives a quiet life as a receptionist, but has had a wilder side in the past. Is now dipping her toe into internet dating at a time (2004) when online dating was in its infancy. The most longing-to-break-out-of-her-shell character of the play.

Additional show and character information on the playwright’s website.

Additional Information

Engagement Terms: Engagement will be under the Artists’ Collective Policy with remuneration by profit share.

Rehearsal Schedule: Rehearsals prior to tech week will be on a part-time schedule TBD, April-June, made to suit actors’ availabilities.

Accessibility: Audition, rehearsal, and performance spaces for this production are all accessible.

Respectul Workspace: Plosive Productions is a proud signatory to the Canadian Code of Conduct for the Performing Arts, and abides by Equity’s Respectful Workplace Policy. We are committed to providing an environment free of discrimination and harassment, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully and have equal opportunities.