AUDITIONS
​
When the Rain Stops Falling
​
by Andrew Bovell
​
Directed and designed by Chris Baldock
Lighting by Jason Bovaird of Moving Light Productions
​
Season: June 14-24, 2023
​
Courtyard Theatre, Canberra Theatre Centre
​
This extraordinary theatrical masterpiece is one of the most acclaimed and revered Australian plays of modern times. Winner of the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award, the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award, the Victorian Green Room Award and the Sydney Theatre Award for Best New Australian Work.
​
Alice Springs. 2039. A fish falls from the sky – it still smells of the sea. It’s been raining for days and Gabriel York knows something is wrong. When the Rain Stops Falling unfolds like a puzzle to be solved. Told through the interconnected stories of two families over four generations: between a prediction in London 1959 and its outcome in Australia eighty years later. This intricate, multi-layered story explores betrayal, abandonment, destruction, forgiveness and love. With four generations of fathers and sons, their mothers, lovers and wives, the play is epic in its scope, yet at the same time extraordinarily intimate.
​
“...a gloriously written and gripping script...dramatically unpredictable and yet piercingly beautiful." - Artshub
​
“A spellbinding saga." - The Australian
​
"...bold and sensitive... exudes a sense of wonder and mystery...shrewd and sharp and genuinely moving." - The Times
​
“An extraordinary play.” - Financial Times
​
Great Plays. Great Actors. Great Stories. Mockingbird Theatre is an award-winning (Canberra Critics Circle – The Laramie Project plays) Canberra-based theatre company bringing discerning audiences the best text-based 20th and 21st Century plays from around the world. Utilising the talents of Canberra's experienced and emerging theatrical talents, Mockingbird Theatre’s mission is to move, thrill, entertain and to create theatrical magic that will touch the soul.
​
Rehearsals will commence mid-April with rehearsals Wednesday and Friday evenings and Sundays 10am-6pm. Please note that not all cast will be required at all times until the last few weeks of rehearsals, such is the nature of the play's structure.
​
Says director Baldock "I have been wanting to direct this incredible play for over 8 years now and I am thrilled that the stars have finally aligned. Covid thwarted my last attempt and now, with the availability of the best venue in town to do it but with none of the previous cast available to be in it, it's time to hold general auditions to see who is out there in Canberra's talented landscape. It’s like I was being forced to wait for this moment to present my favourite Australian play. It’s a piece that works on so many levels – an intriguing saga of an Australian family told over four generations; of how the actions of one person creates a butterfly effect that has ramifications for many; of fathers and sons; of mothers and sons. It is also a wonderfully crafted mystery as we jump backwards and forwards over the decades as we witness the pieces of the puzzle fall into place which adds such a thrilling element to the play. I am so excited to be finally able to present my vision for it. Staging it in the round, and coupled with the fact that my long-time lighting designer, Jason Bovaird, has offered to come from Melbourne to light it, it's going to be something special."
​
Roles (please note ages listed are the characters' ages):
​
Gabriel York - 50
Son of Gabrielle York and Gabriel Law
​
Elizabeth Law (Older) - 56
Married to Henry Law and mother to Gabriel Law
​
Elizabeth Law (Younger) - 30s
Married to Henry Law and mother to Gabriel Law
​
Joe Ryan - 50
Married to Gabrielle York, step father to Gabriel York.
​
Gabrielle York (Older) - 50
Married to Joe Ryan and mother to Gabriel York.
​
Gabrielle York (Younger) - 24
Mother to Gabrielle York
​
Gabriel Law - 28
Son of Elizabeth Law and Henry Law. Father to Gabriel York.
​
Henry Law – 30/40s
Married to Elizabeth Law and Gabriel Law’s father.
​
Andrew Price - 28
Gabriel York’s son
​
Please Note: It will be preferred to double up the roles of Henry Law and Gabriel York and also Gabriel Law and Andrew Price
​
This is a diverse casting. The best person for the role will be cast regardless of ethnicity.
​
This is a profit share participation between actors and senior production members.
​
For a perusal copy of the script, to book an audition or for all enquiries, please forward your current CV and headshot by October 31st to chris@mockingbirdtheatrics.com
If you are successful at gaining an audition, you will be notified early November of the date and time and audition requirements. Please advise of any unavailability you may have in November.
​
​
​