The Vortex by Noel Coward
Directed by Will Cooper
Production Assistant – John Dennis
Key Dates
Information Evening: Saturday 15th August 7:00-8.00pm
Auditions: Thursday 27th August 7:30pm start
Show Dates: Wednesday 9th -12th December 2026. (Get Out on the 13th).
Entrance to the theatre is via the back gate, at the Middle Wall end of Kemp Alley, opposite the United Reformed Church. Go through the door at the bottom of the slope and turn right to go into the bar area.
Contact
If you are interested in auditioning, please get in touch! Scripts available at the Playhouse, please contact Will Cooper (willcoop2801@gmail.com)
Synopsis
The Vortex is a wonderful drama that explores vanity, relationships, high society and sexuality. It focuses around Florence Lancaster, an aging, vain woman flaunting a new young man, and her son Nicky, recently engaged but hiding his substance abuse. Beneath the wit and glamour, already strained families and friendships become increasingly fraught.
The play tackles the darker elements that surround the party set. The play is known for tackling substance abuse, whilst also being an allegory for sexuality, which is also how I intend to approach this play. This is a wonderful show that has both superb blend comedy and drama throughout, and will be a fun, challenging play to round off 2026!
Character Descriptions:
Nicky Lancaster (Male, playing age 20’s) : Described as ‘effeminate’ throughout the play. He fits in with society, but is clearly troubled and has an unusual relationship with his mother, Florence. Requires intimacy (Kiss).
Florence Lancaster (Female, playing age 40s/50s : A vain and emotional woman, who craves adoration and takes any perceived slights very personally. Requires intimacy (Kiss).
Helen Saville (Female, playing age 40’s): Whilst she is very much part of the gossip of the society, she is honest and forthright with people throughout the play. Care deeply.
Pawnie (Male, playing age 40’s): Pawnie is unmarried and prissy. He is sharp with his wit and an addict to gossip.
Bunty (Female, playing age 20’s): Nicky’s fiance. Glamorous and confident, she is also highly aware of the acerbic nature of the company and is not a fan. Requires intimacy (Kiss).
Tom Veryan (Male, playing age 20’s/30’s): Tom is, in contrast to Nicky, quite masculine and is not as engaged or gossipy as the company he keeps. Used to know Bunty before being in a relationship with Florence. Requires intimacy (Kiss).
Clara (Female, playing age 20’s): A young singer. Self absorbed and superficial.
David Lancaster (Male, playing age 50’s): Florence’s unfortunate husband and Nicky’s father. Obsessed with his farm but also cares deeply for Nicky.
The following two parts can be played by either a male or female of any particular age. I would also consider one person playing both these parts if they can be made demonstrably different characters.
Preston: A butler/servant of the household.
Bruce Fairlight: A dramatist, a square peg in the party of Act 2.
Information Evening:
7:00-8:00pm.
This will give a summary of our vision for the production and answer any questions, we are hoping to keep this evening short! It’s so everyone can get a sense of the style of the play, meet the team, and answer questions/pick up audition materials.
Audition Evening:
7:30pm start.
The auditions will be held in the bar (can be accessed by the back entrance of the Theatre). The audition process will involve you acting out the sections of the script below. You may read the same scene once or multiple times, depending on pairing people up/number of auditionees. There is no need to learn the lines in advance but do familiarise yourself with the text and come with a good sense of how you would want to perform the role.
Audition Extracts:
Clara, Helen, Pawnie, Preston: p.6 ‘My Dears’ to ‘Very Well, Miss’ p.6-7
Helen, Florence: ‘Oh Helen, I’m so tired’ to ‘Helen!’ p.14-15
Nicky, Florence: ‘Seat, what for’ to ‘Come and Dance’ p.17
Tom, Bunty, Nicky: p.25 ‘Bunty and I’ to ‘Here, I say’ p.26
Bunty, Bruce, Helen, Pawnie, Clara: ‘Come on Mr Fairlight’ to ‘Ten for cruelty’ p.30
Tom, Florence: ‘Do you remember’ to ‘Perhaps not, but it passed’ p.34-35
Nicky, Helen, David: ‘You’re being Horribly’ to ‘All Right’ p.40
Nicky, Bunty: ‘What did you want’ to ‘establish myself comfortably before you start’ p.41-42
Nicky, Florence: ‘I want to talk to you’ to ‘You’re lying to me. Whats the use of that’ p56-57
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will start at the end of September and will be at various days throughout the week.
Copies of the rehearsal schedule will be available at the info evening/auditions. Please note any dates you cannot attend rehearsal at auditions so this can be factored into the rehearsal schedule.
Look forward to seeing you at the info evening!
Will