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White Horse Inn
31 July 2023 @ 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
SYNOPSIS
Head waiters of the White Horse Inn have found that to fall in love with the attractive young widow who owns the establishment is a swift and certain route to dismissal. Yet none have been able to resist Josepha; least of all Leopold, the present incumbent. She, however, pines for Valentine Sutton, a regular visitor from England, and is resolutely blind to all the evidence that his thoughts for her are no more than warm friendship. Valentine’s annual visit is at hand, and by the same steamer arrive Ebenezer Grinkle, a self-made lad from Lancashire with plenty of brass, his sweet young daughter Ottoline, an impoverished Professor Hinzel and his/her gawky, lisping, but appealing daughter Gretel, and a dapper young man, Sigismund Smith (of Hammersmith). Sub-plots abound as Smith and Grinkle discover they are hated business rivals, Sutton (who is Smith’s solicitor) falls in love with Ottoline, and Smith with Gretel, while Leopold repeatedly threatens to resign and wish them all a last “Good-bye!”. The subsequent arrival of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor serves at first only to add to the acrimonious chaos, but finally his kindly understanding and wisdom do much to bring about the statutory happy ending.
Head waiters of the White Horse Inn have found that to fall in love with the attractive young widow who owns the establishment is a swift and certain route to dismissal. Yet none have been able to resist Josepha; least of all Leopold, the present incumbent. She, however, pines for Valentine Sutton, a regular visitor from England, and is resolutely blind to all the evidence that his thoughts for her are no more than warm friendship. Valentine’s annual visit is at hand, and by the same steamer arrive Ebenezer Grinkle, a self-made lad from Lancashire with plenty of brass, his sweet young daughter Ottoline, an impoverished Professor Hinzel and his/her gawky, lisping, but appealing daughter Gretel, and a dapper young man, Sigismund Smith (of Hammersmith). Sub-plots abound as Smith and Grinkle discover they are hated business rivals, Sutton (who is Smith’s solicitor) falls in love with Ottoline, and Smith with Gretel, while Leopold repeatedly threatens to resign and wish them all a last “Good-bye!”. The subsequent arrival of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor serves at first only to add to the acrimonious chaos, but finally his kindly understanding and wisdom do much to bring about the statutory happy ending.
Cast required:
Josepha Vogelhuber – Proprietress of “The White Horse Inn” , Mezzo-soprano. Lead. Ability/willingness to play the tuba will be highly regarded.
Leopold Brandmeyer – Staff Waiter, High Baritone. Lead.
Ebenezer Grinkle – Lancashire Underwear Manufacturer, Spoken, Supporting.
Ottoline Grinkle – his daughter, Soprano, Supporting.
Valentine Sutton – Solicitor of Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, Tenor, Supporting.
Sigismund Smith – Son of a London underwear manufacturer, Baritone/Bass, Supporting, Sigismund is bald.
Professor Dr. Hinzel – Train enthusiast, Baritone/Mezzo, Featured.
Gretel Hinzel – The professor’s unworldly daughter, has a lisp, Soprano/Mezzo, Featured.
Emperor Franz Joseph II / Forester – Emperor, Spoken, Featured/Ensemble.
Kathi Weghalter – Postmistress and President of the Young Ladies’ Friendly Hiking Association, Coloratura soprano, Featured/Ensemble
Karl, the Piccolo – Upstart Junior waiter, Tenor, Spoken, Featured/Ensemble.
Leopold Brandmeyer – Staff Waiter, High Baritone. Lead.
Ebenezer Grinkle – Lancashire Underwear Manufacturer, Spoken, Supporting.
Ottoline Grinkle – his daughter, Soprano, Supporting.
Valentine Sutton – Solicitor of Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, Tenor, Supporting.
Sigismund Smith – Son of a London underwear manufacturer, Baritone/Bass, Supporting, Sigismund is bald.
Professor Dr. Hinzel – Train enthusiast, Baritone/Mezzo, Featured.
Gretel Hinzel – The professor’s unworldly daughter, has a lisp, Soprano/Mezzo, Featured.
Emperor Franz Joseph II / Forester – Emperor, Spoken, Featured/Ensemble.
Kathi Weghalter – Postmistress and President of the Young Ladies’ Friendly Hiking Association, Coloratura soprano, Featured/Ensemble
Karl, the Piccolo – Upstart Junior waiter, Tenor, Spoken, Featured/Ensemble.
HOTEL STAFF and ENSEMBLE OF TRAVEL SLAVES, SATB Ensemble. (The busiest people in the show!)
ZENZI, a chambermaid (soprano)
HEIDI, a waitress (mezzo, good mover)
TRUDI, a chambermaid (alto)
HERBIE, a waiter (baritone, good mover)
FRANZ, a waiter (bass) is also the MAYOR (featured speaking role)
ZENZI, a chambermaid (soprano)
HEIDI, a waitress (mezzo, good mover)
TRUDI, a chambermaid (alto)
HERBIE, a waiter (baritone, good mover)
FRANZ, a waiter (bass) is also the MAYOR (featured speaking role)
ALL ACTORS, except for Leopold and Josepha, WILL BE DOUBLE-CAST (some triple).
The original English version of White Horse Inn had a cast of 200 people. In keeping with the modern European tradition, this production will have a cast of 15 people.
The original English version of White Horse Inn had a cast of 200 people. In keeping with the modern European tradition, this production will have a cast of 15 people.
AUDITIONS
When making your audition booking, you will be asked to nominate the primary role that you wish to be considered for. On the day of the audition, you will be able to nominate a second preference of role should you wish to.
Singers will be asked to perform, ideally from memory, a song of their choice that best indicates their suitability for the part for which they wish to be considered. PLEASE EMAIL A PDF OF THE SHEET MUSIC (if you are unable to, please bring 2 photocopies). You may also be asked to try something from the show if the panel wants to see/hear something specific. Candidates will also be asked to perform passages of dialogue from The White Horse Inn.
Importantly, please research the Schuhplattler dance on YouTube. We will be learning an easy one at the Information Night. You do not have to be in any way perfect at your audition.
If you can play a European instrument (eg accordion, clarinet), please bring it with you.
When making your audition booking, you will be asked to nominate the primary role that you wish to be considered for. On the day of the audition, you will be able to nominate a second preference of role should you wish to.
Singers will be asked to perform, ideally from memory, a song of their choice that best indicates their suitability for the part for which they wish to be considered. PLEASE EMAIL A PDF OF THE SHEET MUSIC (if you are unable to, please bring 2 photocopies). You may also be asked to try something from the show if the panel wants to see/hear something specific. Candidates will also be asked to perform passages of dialogue from The White Horse Inn.
Importantly, please research the Schuhplattler dance on YouTube. We will be learning an easy one at the Information Night. You do not have to be in any way perfect at your audition.
If you can play a European instrument (eg accordion, clarinet), please bring it with you.
To book your audition time use the online form and/or come to the information night July 31.
Online audition form https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084FAFAE28A2FFC70-white
Online audition form https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084FAFAE28A2FFC70-white
