AUDITION NOTICE: Up and Running - Act1 Theatre

Title: Up and Running

Presented By: Act1 Theatre

Genre: Farce / Comedy

Synopsis: Veteran TV talk-show host Patrick Sumner is desperate to impress his new producer, Reg Godfrey, and invites him to his smart London flat for drinks. His carefully laid plans quickly unravel with the arrival of Jenny, a young woman intent on infiltrating Patrick’s private life who even begins passing herself off as his wife. Things become considerably more complicated when Patrick’s actual wife, Kate, unexpectedly returns early from a trip to Paris. Patrick is soon caught in a fast-paced spiral of lies, misunderstandings, and increasingly desperate subterfuge.

Written by Derek Benfield.

Audition Dates and Times: Saturday 19 September – 2:00pm; Monday 21 September – 7:00pm

Audition Location and Address: Act 1 Theatre/Old Shire Hall, 238 Gympie Rd, Strathpine QLD 4500

Audition Requirements:

• Open auditions for three female and three male performers.

• For further audition information, contact the production team at acttheatre2@gmail.com or Terry on 5433 0655.

Performance Dates: 20 November – 6 December 2026

Performance Location: Act1 Theatre, Strathpine

Rehearsal Dates: Rehearsal schedule TBC. Rehearsals will take place two nights per week and Sundays.

Performer Age: Adult performers.

Creative Team: Director – Terry Frawley

Production Website: Act1 Theatre – Auditions

Available Roles/Character Breakdown:

• Patrick Sumner – Male | 50s | A veteran TV talk-show host who is desperate to impress his new producer. Patrick’s attempts to maintain control of an increasingly ridiculous situation drive much of the play’s farce.

• Kate Sumner – Female | 40s | Patrick’s wife, whose unexpected early return from Paris throws Patrick’s elaborate attempts at deception into chaos.

• Trevor – Male | 30–50 | A neighbour.

• Jenny – Female | Young adult | Described as young and pretty. Jenny arrives at Patrick’s flat intent on infiltrating his private life and begins passing herself off as his wife, setting the play’s escalating misunderstandings in motion.

• Virginia – Female | Young adult | Described as young and pretty.

• Reg Godfrey – Male | 50s | Patrick’s new producer. Described as a severe older man whom Patrick is particularly desperate to impress.