Auditions for Single Bride

WHAT: Auditions for Single Bride, directed by Zoë Chandler
WHEN: Sunday 29 January, 2pm to 6pm

WHERE: FINNBRIT, Fredrikinkatu 20 A, Helsinki (Map)

Our spring production will be the new comedy Single Bride.

Scarlett is tired of waiting for her partner to propose, so she decides to organise a single wedding. But her plans go wrong from the outset, as she accidentally ends up with her boring, bossy colleague as bridesmaid.

Scarlett's mother isn't coping well with life after her husband’s stroke, so she reacts the only way she knows how: by trying to ruin and upstage her daughter’s plans. Scarlett's partner wants nothing to do with any of this nonsense, but ends up being dragged out on a surprise stag night by Scarlett’s mollycoddled brother.

We follow their stories through the disastrous stag and hen nights, and on to the wedding ceremony itself.

There are fun major roles for both women and men, plus a couple of more minor parts.

There will be seven performances during the period 17–28 April 2012. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be drawn up after casting. Rehearsals will mainly be on weekend afternoons, starting 4 or 5 February.

In view of the tight schedule, it would helpful to know if you're intending to audition, although it's quite okay to simply show up on the day. ALL REPLIES TO ZOË (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

If you'd like to be involved backstage – or would like to audition, but cannot attend the auditions – please do contact Zoë.

Please be ON TIME for the auditions!

Auditions for "Shakers" and "Bouncers"

WHAT: Auditions for "Shakers" and "Bouncers", directed by Joan Nordlund and Beth Morton
WHEN: Saturday 3rd September, 12pm to 6pm
WHERE: FINNBRIT, Fredrikinkatu 20 A, Helsinki (MAP)

Our autumn production will double bill John Godber & Jane Thorton's "Shakers" and John Godber's "Bouncers".

Both plays adopt the same style of 4 actors playing multiple characters within each play, 4 females in "Shakers" and 4 males in "Bouncers".

"Bouncers" centres around the nightlife that befalls the four male doormen while they are at work, while "Shakers" follows the trials and tribulations of four cocktail waitresses doing their best to keep the punters happy. The themes of the plays are universal and light hearted, giving the audience a visual comedy experience as the actors in both become the partygoers, louts and drunks within the plot.

The roles are all of equal size and require the actors to be versatile and quite physical in their playing. The fun, party atmosphere of the plays' content will offer the actors an enjoyable challenge as they snap in and out of their other personas.

Rehearsal times will be as follows:

Thursday evenings- 7pm – 10pm
Saturday afternoons- 12pm – 6pm
Sunday afternoons – 12pm – 6pm

We will be rehearsing the plays separately to begin with, and will require each cast a maximum of TWICE a week. We will draw up detailed rehearsal schedules early in September.

First read through on Sunday 4th September (2pm – 5pm) OR Thursday 8th September (7pm – 10pm) TBC at a later date

In view of the tight time schedule, it would helpful if you could let us know if you are intending to audition for a role (via Facebook or by email to either This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ). This does not commit you to anything, and it is not a requirement.

PLEASE BE ON TIME FOR THE AUDITIONS!
Performances dates to be confirmed

Auditions for Poetry & Jazz (Autumn 2011)

WHAT: Auditions for Poetry & Jazz
WHEN: Monday, August 22, 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: FINNBRIT, Fredrikinkatu 20 A, Helsinki (MAP)

Are you interested in providing the words or music for Poetry & Jazz? Then read on…

WORDS
Autumn's theme is 'Special Days', so we're looking for pieces about anniversaries, special events and significant moments (both public and personal.) And not only poetry, but also monologues, dialogues and 'flash fiction' prose. All pieces must either a) be your own, b) be out of copyright, or c) have performance permission from the author. Please bring all the pieces you're considering to the audition, including copies for the director.

If you cannot attend the audition, contact Zoë Chandler (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to arrange another way to present your material.

MUSIC
If you're interested in providing the music – it doesn't have to be jazz! – please contact Zoë (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) ASAP for more information. The musician is only required to attend the final three rehearsals, but is more than welcome to attend more.

DATES
Rehearsals will mainly be on Tuesdays with the occasional Monday: 23 & 29 August and 6, 13, 20 & 26 September (time and place TBA). Performances are on 27 September and 4 & 11 October at 7 p.m.

Summer Production - Auditions!

The Summer production for 2010 is Christopher Hampton’s stage adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ scandalous 18th century novel, Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

Directed by Stina Halmetoja, it’s all gossip, manipulation and seduction... But is it just sex or is there a moral to the story – or possibly even a feminist agenda?

We are looking for a number of talented actors and actresses. There are 9 speaking roles (6 females, 3 males) and 2-3 non-speaking roles on offer. If you think you’ve got what it takes, turn up on Saturday 13th February and strut your stuff.

The auditions begin at 12p.m. at FINNBRIT, Fredrikinkatu 20a.

The performances will take place between the 12th & 20th June at Puoli Q.

Programme for Autumn 2008

August

Sunday August 24: Auditions for FELT IF 2008

The third Festival of English Language Theatre will be held in November 2008. The Finn-Brit Players are entering four short plays for the festival. Auditions for all the FBP plays will be held at FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9) on 24 August starting at 2 pm. A short description of the plays and available roles are below. To audition, you just need to turn up at 2 pm – there is no need for any advance preparation. If you would like to audition, but are unable to come to the auditions, you can audition based on previous perfomances; please contact Jack Leo (jack(at)finnbritplayers.com or 050 384 6740). If you prefer not to act, but would rather help out backstage or with administration, please contact Jack or just turn up at the auditions.
Zoë Chandler: Plastic Soup. When eco-warrior and businesswoman clash, a battle for love and water takes place in a disused railway tunnel in an inner-city park. Directed by Zoë Chandler. 2 male roles, 2 female roles.
Anton Chekhov: The Bear. When Grigory Smirnov arrives to collect a debt he is owed, the widow Pavlov refuses to pay and insults Smirnov by calling him a bear, which results in a challenge to a duel. Directed by Jack Leo. 2 male roles and 1 female role.
Mickle Maher: An Apology for the Course and Outcome of Certain Events Delivered by Doctor John Faustus on This His Final Evening. In this modern adaptation of the Faust legend, John Faustus, accompanied by his unspeaking servant Mephistopheles, delivers his apology to the audience. Directed by Rebecca Clamp. 2 roles, either male or female.
Oana Velcu: Finders Keepers. St Peter has lost the keys to Heaven and is desperately searching for them in a jet plane, where his encounters with the passengers show that life is not always straight forward... Directed by Oana Velcu. 3 male roles, 2 female roles.

Wednesday August 27: Meeting for Poetry & Jazz

If you would like to perform in this autumn's run of Poetry & Jazz, bring along any material you might be interested in doing to FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9) at 8 pm. All are welcome to bring in suitable pieces - Poetry, Stories, Dialogues. This is essentially to choose items to come up with an interesting programme. Bring along your own material, material for which you have permission to perform, or poems outside copyright (i.e. the poet has been dead at least 70 years). Contact Joel Holmberg (alarik(at)wippies.com) for more information. All rehearsals will be on Wednesday evenings at 8 pm.

Friday August 29: Play Reading

At play readings we, well, read a play. Out loud. One person leads the reading and assigns roles. Everybody gets a chance to read. Carol Norris will be leading this first reading of the season. FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9) at 7 pm. Bring a bottle and a friend.

September

Friday September 19: Play Reading

Zoë Chandler leads this reading. Bring refreshments, a friend, and join the fun! FINNBRIT at 7 pm.

October

Wednesday October 8, 15 & 22: Poetry & Jazz

All performances will be held in the Piano Room of Café Engel. Music will be provided by Johanna Pitkänen on the piano. Directed by Joel Holmberg. Café Engel (Aleksanterinkatu 26) at 8 pm, free entrance.

Friday October 24: Play Reading

This play reading session is open to proposals. If you have a play in mind that you would like to lead a reading of, please contact the committee (committee(at)finnbritplayers.com).

Friday October 31: Hallowe'en party

Steve Porter organises our ghoulishly gregarious Hallowe'en party. As per tradition, the best costume wins a prize! At FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9), from 7 pm.

November

FELT IF 2008

Thursday November 6 from 6 pm onwards
Friday November 7 from 6 pm onwards
Saturday November 8 from 1 pm onwards

Performances at Cultural Centre Caisa, Mikonkatu 17 C / Vuorikatu 14 / Kaisaniemi metro station (Fennia block)

FELT IF 2008 offers a total of nine short plays performed by three Helsinki-based English-language theatre groups. These include three original plays and adaptations. The plays and groups are:

The Finn-Brit Players: Plastic Soup (Chandler), The Bear (Chekhov), An Apology for the Course and Outcome of Certain Events Delivered by Doctor John Faustus on This His Final Evening (Maher), Finders Keepers (Velcu)

The Really Small Theatre Company: Between Mouthfuls (Ayckbourne), The Form (Simpson)

Thespians Anonymous: The Proposal (Chekhov), Once Upon a Time in a Plague Year (Bullein/Honkapohja), The Dark Lady of the Sonnets (Shaw)

Each show will receive two performances. A more detailed programme will be available online in October. Individual tickets will be available for each show separately. In addition, it is possible to get a festival pass, which will entitle the holder to pick up an individual ticket to any show. Tickets for pass holders are only guaranteed till 10 minutes before the start of each show. Festival passes can booked online, but individual tickets will only be available at the door. Prices are €20 (festival pass) and €5 (individual tickets). More details will follow on this site.

Friday November 21: Play Reading

Also this play reading slot is open to proposals. If you would like to lead a reading, get in touch with the committee (committee(at)finnbritplayers.com). At FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9) at 7 pm.

Sunday November 23: Drama Incubator

Are you interested in voice, physical theatre, or maybe writing your own scripts? This is a chance for you to get together with fellow thespians and work on whatever aspects of theatre you're interested in without the stress of a major production. So come along and experiment! Drama Incubator workshops are facilitated, but not taught, with Zoë (zoe(at)finnbritplayers.com) acting as facilitator. At FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9) from 2 to 5 pm.

December

Saturday December 14: December Orgy

The December orgy, previously known as the Finn-Brit Players' Christmas party, will be held at FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9) from 6 pm. Organised by Steve Porter, so expect some high-voltage charades action.

Sunday December 14: Drama Incubator

The second and last session of the drama incubator before Christmas. Even if you haven't been earlier, you're still more than welcome to join in. Again, for more information contact the facilitator (zoe(at)finnbritplayers.com).

January 2009

Saturday January 17: Rehearsed Reading of Four by Vello Ruus

Vello Ruus organises a rehearsed reading of his radio play entitled Four. So come along to enjoy this performance! FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9), 7 pm. Free entrance.

Call for Proposals, Spring 2009

The committee would like to invite proposals for a play to be produced in spring 2009. If you would like to produce or direct a play, please submit a short description of the play, casting and staging requirements, suggested budget, and potential backstage crew to the committee by no later than September 1st. Forms are available here.