She Stoops to Conquer, by Oliver Goldsmith
Directed by Gemma Roch
Show dates: Tuesday 2nd - Saturday 6th December 2025
AUDITIONS: Monday 16th & Wednesday 18th July 2025, 7.30pm
SHOW SUMMARY:
Mr. Hardcastle is seeking a match for his daughter Kate. Both agree that the rich and handsome Charles Marlow would be ideal. Perfect… except for Marlow’s crippling shyness around women. As he and his friend Hastings travel to the Hardcastle home, they encounter Kate’s mischievous stepbrother Tony Lumpkin, who tricks the pair into believing they will be staying at a pub, when in fact it is the Hardcastle’s home. Confusion in the household ensues as Marlow treats Hardcastle like a landlord, unknowingly infuriating his potential father-in-law. Determined to uncover the true character of her intended fiancé, Kate disguises herself as a barmaid, and a new side to Marlow is revealed. Add to this some stolen jewels, a second love-match and the worst butlers in the world for an evening of festive hilarity.
Full of mistaken identities, trickery and outrage, the Studio Theatre’s 90’s take on a classic will propel us into just the right amount of nostalgia, mocking class pretensions and celebrating wit.
AUDITION INFO:
We will be auditioning for all adult roles on 16th & 18th July 2025. Character ages and gender have not been specified below, to allow for open casting.
Auditions will likely be a workshop format, so no need to prepare. We will provide some scenes for you to have a pre-read nearer the time. Creativity thrives on diversity, and we welcome everyone, regardless of background or experience.
Please complete our online Audition Form to let us know your intention to audition.
CHARACTERS:
● Kate Hardcastle
o Daughter to Mr. Hardcastle, and the play's stooping-to-conquer heroine. She is clever, confident and wants to balance the happiness of her father with her desire to find true love.
● Charles Marlow (Jnr)
o The central male character, who has set out to court Kate. A well-educated man, Marlow is brash and rude to Mr. Hardcastle when he believes him to be ‘just’ an innkeeper. Marlow is sophisticated and has travelled the world. Around working-class women Marlow is a lecherous rogue, but around those of an upper-class card he is a nervous, bumbling fool. In the end, he learns a lesson and becomes worthy of Kate’s love.
● Mr. Hardcastle
o The father of Kate Hardcastle. He is proud and pompous but genuinely loves his daughter and wants the best for her. He is slightly put-upon by his wife who finds him a bit boring and old-fashioned.
● George Hastings
o Friend of Charles Marlow and the admirer of Constance Neville. Hastings is an educated man who cares deeply about Constance, with the intention of fleeing to France with her.
● Tony Lumpkin
o Son of Mrs Hardcastle and stepson to Mr Hardcastle, Tony is a mischievous, uneducated playboy. Friends with Constance, neither have any intention of marrying. He spends most his time (and money) in the Three Pigeons Pub and playing tricks on his mother.
● Mrs. Hardcastle
o Wife to Mr. Hardcastle and mother to Tony, Mrs. Hardcastle is an eccentric character who craves the grander things in life. She is an over-protective mother to Tony, whom she loves, but is desperate for him to marry Constance so she can keep hold of Constance’s jewels.
● Constance Neville
o Niece of Mrs. Hardcastle and best friends with Kate, she has already started seeing Hastings before the play starts. They plan to elope to France to get married.
● Sir Charles Marlow (Snr)
o An aristocratic gentleman and father of Charles; he follows his son to Hardcastle House, arriving a few hours later. This actor can also play the Pub Landlord in one scene.
● Diggory & Roger
o Two serving staff at Hardcastle House, their incompetence is only matched by their obsession with hands. Not many lines but a couple of great comic characters. Can double up as Tony’s pub mates (pick your 90’s stereotype!).
PRODUCTION TEAM:
We’re always looking for back-stage volunteers too. Whether it’s operating the lights & sound or stage management, please let us know if you want to get involved! For this production, we would also like to include some additional pre-recorded video and projection content, so let us know if this is something you’d like to help with.
DATES AND COMMITMENT:
REHEARSALS: Likely to be 1-2 weekday evenings and/or occasional Sunday daytimes, from August 2025.
TECHNICAL REHEARSAL AND DRESS: SUN 30th Nov (daytime) & MON 1st Dec (evening)
SHOWS: Tuesday 2nd - Saturday 6th December 2025 (7.30PM) (x 5 performances)
For more info, please contact Gemma Roch (Director) or David Stacey (Producer & Studio Theatre Manager)
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