05/05/2026
We are excited to see YOU at auditions for Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers!
VPCC Society of the Performing Arts & the Virginia Peninsula Production Company
AUDITION NOTICE
Gilbert & Sullivan’s
The Gondoliers
Monday- May 4 and Tuesday- May 5
7pm-10pm
Dr. Mary T Christian Theatre · Templin Hall
OPEN AUDITIONS, NON-UNION, NON-PAID, NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED
AUDITIONS ARE OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY
Prepare a song in classical style (which could include pre-1960s musicals) which demonstrates the full range and capacity of your voice. This can be a song from any other Gilbert & Sullivan production or other suitable song of your choice. Bring a physical copy of your sheet music, an accompanist will be provided. Also prepare (1) Comedic Monologue no more than 2 minutes in length, preferably from the period of the play (late 1800s). Please dress for light movement work.
Summary: Marco and Giuseppe, two gondoliers with strong political sympathies, have become engaged to their sweethearts, Gianetta and Tessa, by means of a carefully rigged game of blind man’s buff. An impoverished Spanish grandee arrives with his Duchess, their daughter Casilda and their entourage – a drummer named Luiz. In infancy, Casilda was married to the infant King of Barataria, and they have come to Venice to discover his whereabouts from the Grand Inquisitor, Don Alhambra. It is known that the infant was saved from a revolution by being sent to Venice. Don Alhambra explains that the King was fostered by an old gondolier, who had a tendency to drink, and is therefore one of the supposed brothers Marco and Giuseppe, but he does not know which. Their old nurse, Inez, who is Luiz’s mother, will reveal all. She currently lives in the mountains of Spain with a group of bandits, but she will be sent for. The gondoliers and their friends leave Venice, their womenfolk, and their republican beliefs behind, and sail for Barataria. Once installed, jointly, on the throne, they lead a life of drudgery, doing all the work on behalf of their courtiers. They also miss their girls dreadfully, so are very relieved when they turn up. Don Alhambra also comes with the Duke of Plaza-Toro and followers. At this point the gondoliers discover that one of them is married to Casilda, causing great misery. Luiz and Casilda, also in love, are equally unhappy. When Inez eventually appears, she reveals that to protect the king during the revolution, she had swapped him with her own baby before that child was sent to Venice, and that Luiz is therefore the true king, and already married to Casilda.
Rehearsals will be Sunday-Thursday evenings, 7-10pm generally
Performances will be Thursday, July 23-Sunday, July 26
We are also seeking backstage and technician volunteers
For more information:
David Garrett, [email protected]
* You only need to attend one audition.
Unable to attend in person? Submit a virtual audition to [email protected] no later than 5pm on Tuesday, May 5.
