Open Auditions for our Summer Play!
‘The Gathered Leaves’ by Andrew Keatley
Directed by Nick Haymonds and Sarosh Khan
Show dates: Thursday 11th – Saturday 13th June 2026
Auditions: 7.30pm Wednesday 25th February 2026
Play Sumary:
The Pennington family haven’t been in the same room together for seventeen years. But on the eve of William’s seventy-fifth birthday, all three generations gather, hoping that the mistakes of the past can be consigned to history.
An errant daughter, an autistic son, and a second son that could never just grasp the nettle – William’s children have always been a disappointment to him. With long-held resentments rising to the surface, and new problems unexpectedly presenting themselves, a family reconciliation may be some way off. But William knows he is running out of time…
A moving, poignant and funny family drama that sees the weight of family history, of reputation, and of expectation, all descend on one family over Easter weekend in 1997.
Audition Info:
Auditions will be in a workshop format. There is no need to prepare anything in advance, and we will provide scenes for you to perform on the day. We'll start by reading the scene together and then run it a few times to allow everyone the chance to try the characters they are interested in.
Creativity thrives on diversity, and we welcome everyone, regardless of background or experience. The play offers good range of characters of different ages and of varying sizes, which will be challenging and a lot of fun to play.
Please contact Nick Haymonds or Sarosh Khan if you would like to take part in the auditions, indicating which part(s) you are interested in reading for.
Character Synopses:
Young Samuel Pennington: (mid-to-late teens) Samuel is autistic, obsessed with Doctor Who and struggles to interact socially like other boys of his age.
Young Giles Pennington: (mid-to-late teens) Giles is fiercely loyal to his brother but can be exasperated by him. (N.B. Could be either older or younger than Samuel)
William Pennington: (74 years old) The family patriarch. William has a secret to share with the rest of his family – he has recently been diagnosed with vascular dementia. He is initially harsh, judgemental and unapproachable but mellows as his recognition of own mortality and the impact he has had on his own family dawns upon him.
Olivia Pennington: (late 60s – early 70s) William’s wife. Long-suffering but also with a steely resolve of her own, Olivia is the beating heart of the Pennington family. She is not afraid to stand up to her husband and has secrets of her own.
Samuel Pennington: (40s-50s) William and Olivia’s autistic son. Samuel has the innocence of a child in a man’s body. He is the source of much of the humour in the play but should not be played as a comic character. He is also wiser and possesses more insight than appearances may initially suggest. (See casting note for Young Samuel.)
Giles Pennington: (40s-50s) Samuel’s brother, a doctor. Giles tries to please everyone, but risks disappointing them all. His relationship with his father is fraught with tension, his marriage is on the rocks, and his children are growing up and flying the nest. But his protective fraternal bond with his brother remains as strong as ever.
Sophie Pennington: (40s-50s) Giles’ wife. Sophie has never felt comfortable in the Pennington family home. Although she shares some of the outdated views of her in-laws, she seems ill-at-ease in their presence. This is not helped by her faltering marriage to Giles and the widening gulf between her and her children.
Simon Pennington: (early 20s-late teens) Giles and Sophie’s son. Simon is opinionated and self-confident. He teases and bickers with his sister, despairs of his parents’ generation and is not afraid to go toe-to-toe with his formidable grandfather.
Emily Pennington: (late teens-early 20s) Giles and Sophie’s daughter. Emily is less outspoken and rebellious than her brother but is delighted to find a potential ally in newly discovered cousin, Aurelia.
Alice Pennington: (late 30s-late 40s) William and Olivia’s daughter. Alice is the black sheep of the family and the main cause of the family rift. She is dreading the weekend but is also thrilled to be seeing her siblings again. She can be emotional and impulsive but also has a resilience and strength born of the decisions she has made in the past.
Aurelia Ndjeya: (late teens-early 20s) Alice’s daughter. Aurelia is a complete outsider in the family home compared to everyone else. Although she is initially quiet and reserved, she has the potential to be the catalyst to heal the rifts in the Pennington family.
(N.B. Ideally an actor of colour/mixed heritage will be cast in this part, but it is not essential.)
Production Team
We’re always looking for off-stage volunteers too. Whether you’re interested in lighting & sound, stage management, props and costumes, set building, working front of house or behind the bar, please let us know if you want to get involved!
Dates & Commitment
REHEARSALS: These will take place one or two weekday evenings, every Wednesday and several Monday evenings from early March 2026. You’ll only be called to rehearse the scenes you are in until nearer to show week.
SET BUILD: Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June 2026
TECHNICAL REHEARSAL: Monday evening, 8th June 2026
DRESS REHEARSAL: Tuesday evening, 9th June 2026
CHARITY PREVIEW: Wednesday evening, 10th June 2026
SHOWS: Thursday 11th, Friday 12th and Saturday 13th June 2026 (7.30 p.m., call time 6.30pm)
For more info, please contact Nick Haymonds (Director) nickhaymonds@hotmail.com