Directed by Robert Bell

Season: 12 October to 22 October 2023
Venue: Little Theatre, The University of Adelaide

Rehearsals: Starting 1 Aug 2023. Typically Tuesday & Thursday evenings, 7pm-10pm & Sunday afternoons, depending on availability. Rehearsals will take place in various locations on the North Terrace Campus which will be indicated on the rehearsal schedule.

Audition Venue: Little Theatre, The Cloisters, University of Adelaide. Gate 10 from Victoria Drive.
Directions: The Cloisters is the name given to the courtyard in front of the Union Building (Union House) facing Victoria Drive and the river. The entrance to the theatre is in the south-west corner of the courtyard, next to the Unibar.

SYNOPSIS

“I want to tell you a story. And it’s true. That’s what makes it a good fucking story, right, ’cause all the best stories are true.”

Fleet Street. 1969. The Sun rises.

James Graham’s ruthless, red-topped play leads with the birth of this country’s most influential newspaper – when a young and rebellious Rupert Murdoch asked the impossible and launched its first editor’s quest, against all odds, to give the people what they want.

Before ‘Fox News’, there was ‘The Sun’. Prior to Murdoch’s purchase in 1969, The Sun was a struggling, left leaning Broadsheet destined for failure. Enter a brash young Rupert Murdoch ready to disrupt Fleet Street, rogue editor Larry Lamb and an unlikely team of underdog reporters and you’ve got yourself a story good enough for the front page.

This ensemble driven comedy is hilarious and jam-packed with gripping dramatic moments that tell one hell of a story! Ink centres around an unlikely matchup of David and Goliath proportions between Murdoch’s newly purchased The Sun and the bestselling newspaper in the world, The Mirror. It may even have you rooting for Australia’s own Media Mogul himself.
Ink does not shy from the controversial, sexy and debaucherous. It’s bound to be a fun time.

Warning: Adult themes, strong language, and partial nudity apply. Auditionees must be 18+.

Twelve cast members will play a number of roles, doubling required. Listed below are the key characters.
Please note: the roles of Rupert Murdoch and Larry Lamb have already been cast.

KEY ROLES AVAILABLE
(Age and ethnicity are a guide only)

HUGH CUDLIPP – (Male 50s-60s, Welsh) Editor of The Mirror, a force to be reckoned with and determined to keep The Sun from succeeding.

STEPHANIE RAHN – (Female 20s-30s, script references character being part Indian, but this can be updated accordingly) An up-and-coming model driven for success. *Must be comfortable wearing underwear on stage*

BRIAN McCONNELL – (Male 40s -50s) Described as a heroic drinker. This journalist can’t bring himself to say no to his old friend. *Must be comfortable being shirtless on stage*

BERNARD SHRIMSLEY – (Male 40s-50s) Deputy editor. Lean and smart with exacting standards. Not well liked.

JOYCE HOPKIRK – (Female 40s) Strong minded, with killer instinct. A saucy soul tapped to become woman’s editor.

RAY MILLS – (Male 40s-50s) Sub-editor. A thuggish, frightening brute. Straight talker.

FRANK NICKLIN – (Male any age) Sports journalist, not the brightest, but the most enthusiastic.

BEVERLEY GOODWAY – (Male 20s-30s) A free spirited photographer with a passion for photographing attractive women.

SIR ALICK MCKAY – (Male 60+) Deputy Chairman. Ever so loyal and the most empathetic of the group.

DIANA – (Female 20s-30s) Horoscope writer. Loves gossip almost as much as reading the stars.

LEE HOWARD – (Male any age) Editor of the Mirror. Never too far from Hugh Cudlipp.

SIR PERCY ROBERTS – (Male any age) a Mirror Board member. Looking after his best interests.

AUDITION BOOKED BY ONLINE APPOINTMENT ONLY

Auditions are booked via http://www.trybooking.com/CDIQG

Each individual audition will last 15 minutes between 9am – 5pm Saturday 3 December 2022.

After booking an audition, you will be emailed audition scenes. These are not compulsory to learn but please familiarise yourself with them. You will be asked to read additional scenes to gauge your suitability for the above characters and any roles that will be doubled. An audition form will also be provided.

On booking an audition slot, please ensure you advise your correct phone number and email address. Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow yourself time to prepare for your audition and to complete an audition form. We recommend you wear comfortable clothing and shoes, and bring water.

Any questions about audition bookings, please email theatreguild@adelaide.edu.au
Any questions about the play/production (and NOT for booking auditions), the director can be contacted at robertsjbell@gmail.com.

UATG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We encourage performers 18+ of all races and ethnicities, gender identities, abilities to audition. However, please be aware that the Little Theatre is not fully equipped for those with a physical disability. The foyer and auditorium are accessible via ground floor entrance, but the stage and backstage areas are unfortunately not equipped for wheelchair access.

Membership: Please be aware that everyone involved in a Theatre Guild show is required to be a member of the Theatre Guild. Memberships for 2023 are available via www.trybooking.com/CBXOD