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THE SUM OF US
Written By: David Stevens
Creative Team: Galleon Theatre Group is excited to announce auditions for THE SUM OF US – directed by Lesley Reed.
An award-winning Australian play.
Later adapted for the screen and starring Jack Thompson and Russell Crowe.
Synopsis:
Set in the early 1990s, The Sum of Us is a hilarious, yet bittersweet play. Despite its ongoing often laugh-out-loud dialogue, the underlying pathos makes it an intensely poignant story about family, hope and acceptance.
Harry and his gay adult son Jeff still live in the house Jeff grew up in. Their wife and mother died tragically when Jeff was a child. Harry takes an overt interest in Jeff’s ongoing and so far unsuccessful search for Mister Right.
Jeff is excited about new romantic interest, Greg, who he has invited home. When Greg arrives, Jeff alerts him that, as has happened in the past, his father Harry may walk in on them at any time with jolly repartee, a drink or a cuppa. Greg is triggered and confused when experiencing Harry’s love for Jeff and tolerant parental attitude to Jeff’s sexuality. It’s very different to the disappointment and rejection Greg experiences from his own father. As a result, Jeff’s hopes for a future with Greg appear finished.
Harry’s own attempt at a new relationship with divorcee Joyce may not end well, either, yet the bond between father and son, fraught as it is at times, endures through harder times to come.
Review:
‘…should be recognised as a significant work in the canon of Australian theatre. It’s a play that deserves to be seen and staged over and over again.’- Out in Perth.
Information Session:
Audition Information: https://www.galleon.org.au/html/auditions.html
| Audition Information #:1 | |
| Date: | 30/08/2025 |
| Time From – Time to: | 13:30 – 16:00 |
| Character Descriptions #:1 | |
| Role Name: | Harry Mitchell |
| Gender: | Male |
| Stage Age: | 60 |
| Role Information: | Stage age early 50s-early 60s Harry is very ‘domesticated’ and cooks predictable, mundane meals for Jeff and himself. He is as proud as punch of Jeff and accepting of his sexuality, to the point of being hilariously intrusive and ever-hopeful when it comes to Jeff’s romantic encounters. Harry has secretly been looking for his own new partner and has met with Joyce through an introduction agency. Later in the narrative Harry is non-verbal following a stroke and is dependent on Jeff’s care, but clearly still desperately wants his son to find happiness with someone. |
| Character Descriptions #:2 | |
| Role Name: | Jeff |
| Gender: | Male |
| Stage Age: | 20s |
| Role Information: | Stage age early 20s-early 30s Loves footy. Stuck in his ways a little like Harry, but hopeful and optimistic, even philosophical about relationships. Uncomplicated outwardly but mulls over things a little, mostly to the audience. Alternately loving to, embarrassed by and frustrated with his father. Jeff is struggling with his need to find a partner and live life away from Harry, but is conflicted in this by his fierce love, loyalty and ultimately, his need to care for his dad. |
| Character Descriptions #:3 | |
| Role Name: | Greg |
| Gender: | Male |
| Stage Age: | 20s |
| Role Information: | Stage age 20-30 Greg is an attractive gay man who Jeff has met in a pub. He is a dreamer who loves forests, gardens and nature. A little naïve and internally a bit tortured. Before meeting effusive, welcoming Harry, Greg hasn’t experienced a different paternal attitude than his own father’s disappointment in him. Harry’s loving acceptance shakes and overwhelms him. |
| Character Descriptions #:4 | |
| Role Name: | Joyce |
| Gender: | Female |
| Stage Age: | 60 |
| Role Information: | A divorced woman (Stage *age late 40s-60-*depends on age of actor cast as Harry)
Joyce met Harry through a dating agency and is at last coming back with him to his house. Bubbly and excited at first, Joyce is already planning décor updates there, especially to that awful feature wall. |
More Information at: www.galleon.org.au
Please email Director Lesley Reed at: lesleystage@hotmail.com to register for the GROUP audition. The audition will include reading/moving excerpts from the play, with relevant pages emailed to you several days prior to the audition once you have registered.
Audition Venue :Park Holme Community Hall, 638 Marion Road, PARK HOLME (corner Wallala Avenue & Marion Road)
REHEARSAL DAYS & TIMES : Tuesdays & Thursdays 7-10pm, Sundays 1-5pm, although there may be some variation to dates and times. First rehearsal Sunday 10 August 2026, or thereabouts.
PERFORMANCE DATES :Fri 24th, Sat 25th, Thurs 30th, Fri 31st October 2026 @ 7.30pm,
Sun 26th October @ 2pm, Sat 1 November 2026 @ 2pm
PERFORMANCE VENUE : Domain Theatre, Marion Cultural Centre
287 Diagonal Road, OAKLANDS PARK SA 5046
Contact: Lesley Reed
lesleystage@hotmail.com
