Jack Absolute Flies again
Playing Dates: Wed 3rd - Sat 13th Jun 2026
Audition: 1st March, 7:30pm, theatre bar
Summer 1940. After an aerial dog fight, Pilot Officer Jack Absolute flies home to rejoin his intrepid young Hurricane squadron.
Back on British soil, Jack is shocked to find his old flame, Lydia, on the base. Setting his sights on winning her heart, but with turbulence and hilarity never far away, Jack’s advances quickly turn to anarchy when the young heiress demands to be loved on her own terms.
The action is largely based at the house and grounds of Mrs Malaprop – she of lexicographical dexterity and faultless electrocution.
Sheridan’s classic comedy of manners, The Rivals, is given an uproarious Battle of Britain update by Richard Bean, the award-winning writer of One Man, Two Guvnors, and Oliver Chris.
This will be a pukka, bang-on experience for all involved, on or off stage. No deployment is small as we defend the honour of The Archway Theatre!
Simply think The 39 Steps, mixed with One Man Two Guvnors and a dash of The Dam Busters. There will be comedy, high jinks, dancing and drama.
If you can Lindy Hop or fancy learning, that might be something we explore. 😊
Male – 8
Female – 4
One other ‘actor’
PILOT OFFICER JACK ABSOLUTE – male, 20s/30s, Section Leader, Blue Section ‘A’ Flight, 634 Hurricane Squadron (“The Flying Badgers”). Son to Sir Anthony Absolute, in love with Lydia Languish. Confident, comic book hero.
FIRST OFFICER LYDIA LANGUISH – female, 20s/30s, Aircraft delivery pilot, Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). Heiress to most of Sussex. Niece and ward of Mrs Malaprop.
MRS MALAPROP – female, 50s/60s, Lady of Fontwell Manor. Sometime guardian to Miss Lydia Languish. A lady of great lexicographical dexterity and faultless electrocution. Talks to the audience with a twinkle in her eye.
PILOT OFFICER ROY FAULKLAND – male, 20s/30s, Hurricane pilot, ‘A’ Flight, 634 Squadron. Fiancé and cousin to Julia Melville, best friend to Jack Absolute. Innocent and soppy!
JULIA MELVILLE – female, 20s/30s, Chief Volunteer, Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). Driver to Sir Anthony. Fiancée and cousin to Roy Faulkland. Best friend to Lydia Languish. A jolly good sort.
LUCY – female, 20s-40s, lady’s maid to Mrs Malaprop, Smitten with Dudley. A cockney.
MAJOR GENERAL SIR ANTHONY ABSOLUTE – male, 50s/60s, Lord of most of Devon. Scourge of India. Father to Jack Absolute. Absolute silver fox. No-nonsense army man.
PILOT OFFICER BOB ACRES – male, 30s/40s, Hurricane pilot, ‘A’ flight, 634 squadron, Australian. A bit slow off the mark.
PILOT OFFICER BIKRAM ‘TONY’ KHATTRI – male, 20s-40s. Hurricane pilot, ‘A’ flight, 634 squadron, Sikh from the Punjab. South Asian / Indian actor required. An educated Oxford graduate who likes to think he’s a poet.
INTELLIGENCE OFFICER BRIAN COVENTRY – male, 40s/50s, 634 squadron, RAF Fontwell. Lovely chap!
WARRANT OFFICER 2 DUDLEY SCUNTHORPE – male, 30s/40s, lead mechanic/fitter to Blue Section, 634 squadron, RAF Fontwell. A Yorkshireman. Smitten with Lucy.
FLIGHT OFFICER PETER KINGSMITH – male, 20s-40s, very small role at end of play, also part of ensemble, Hurricane pilot.
FLIGHT SERGEANT STUART SAMPSON – gender neutral, 20s-40s, very small role at end of play, also part of ensemble.
Possible extras: Extra females for the potential ensemble in one small section of the play.
Singers/ musicians – we might create a little musical theme throughout where live musicians or singers would be featured at moments throughout. Think Andrews Sisters or a 40s Skiff band. Doesn’t have to be the same group for all 10 shows….
Contact me if you think you might be interested!
This really is a great, fun show to get involved in so drop me a line to chat about any of it .😊
For more information & audition pieces:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nl2VGiV6gACJrUUDdR1w9tQCxf98VDav?usp=sharing
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