Auditions​​

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Double Bill:

The Browning Version

South Downs

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The Browning Version by Terrence Rattigan and South Downs by David Hare

Directed by Deborah Fabbro

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Terrence Rattigan’s powerful play, The Browning Version, is the story of an unpopular and unloved classics master at a public school in the 1940s. Ill-health is forcing Andrew to retire from teaching. His wife despises him for his failures and finds consolation with Frank, a younger teacher. She openly taunts Andrew while Frank watches with disgust and shame. The wife knows she has lost Frank, but even more bitter is the realisation he's now Andrew's fast friend. Deserted by his wife and on the verge of retirement, Crocker-Harris finds a form of redemption in an unexpected parting gift from a previously disregarded pupil - a second-hand copy of Robert Browning's translation of Agamemnon. The Browning Version was first produced at the Phoenix Theatre London on September 8th, 1948.

David Hare's emotional play, South Downs, was written at the invitation of the Rattigan Estate as a complementary piece to The Browning Version. It is a meditation on faith, learning and teenage friendship, played against the backdrop of a Britain still fighting to maintain an established rule. John Blakemore is a solitary boy who finds it impossible either to understand or adapt to the ways of the school. His adolescent earnestness puts off teachers and pupils alike. And now suddenly he seems to be in danger of losing his only friend. South Downs was first presented at the Minerva Theatre at the Chichester Festival on September 2nd, 2011.

Both plays draw on their respective authors’ firsthand experience of the English public schools of their time; Both revolve around a central character who finds difficulty in expressing emotion and both main characters experience feelings of inadequacy, loneliness and self-loathing but are restored by a single act of kindness. The main difference is that whereas Rattigan’s play is a story of the masters, Hare’s takes the pupils’ point of view.​

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Audition Information

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Accents: English

Time and Setting:

• The Browning Version – 1940s, a Master’s flat in a public school in the south of England. 

• South Downs – 1962, a public school in the South Downs

Casting: There is the potential for actors to be cast in both plays.

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Roles 

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The Browning Version

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Andrew Crocker-Harris: taciturn, middle-aged Master of Classics and has clearly had his spirit worn down over the years; 45-55.
 
Millie Crocker-Harris: Andrew’s younger wife, gracious to visitors but bitter towards her husband. Having an affair with Frank Hunter; 35-40.
 
Frank Hunter: young Science Master, well-liked by pupils but wary his informal and friendly manner undermines his teaching efforts; 25-35.
 
John Taplow: one of Andrew’s Classics pupils, intimidated by but respectful and admiring of Andrew; playing age - 16.

Dr. Frobisher: Headmaster of the school, charming if a little superficial; 55+.

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Peter Gilbert: young fresh-faced teacher about to take over Andrew’s role, a little nervous of taking this on; 25-35.

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Mrs. Gilbert: Peter’s wife, young, hopeful and enthusiastic about the future; 25-30.

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South Downs

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John Blakemore: student, unsteady mix of confidence and insecurity; playing age - 14.

Jeremy Duffield: prefect, handsome; playing age - 17.

Colin Jenkins: skinny, awkward student; playing age - 14.

Tommy Gunter: dishevelled student; playing age - 15.

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Roger Sprule: dark-haired, strong; playing age - 15.

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Rev. Eric Dewley: untidy teacher; 50s.

Basil Spear: teacher, short, pedantic; 40s.

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Belinda Duffield: Jeremy’s mother, a glamourous actress, gamine; 40.​

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Audition information

 

Auditions will be held at Williamstown Little Theatre, 2 Albert Street, Williamstown on:

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• Sunday 19 October 2025 from 7pm

• Monday 20 October 2025 from 7pm

 

Auditions are by individual 15-minute appointment only.

 

To book an audition and request a copy of the script, contact the Director, Deborah Fabbro via orbbaf@ozemail.com.au or 0416 141 838.

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Auditions will involve reading from specified sections of the script. While there is no need to memorise anything for the audition, we recommend arriving 15 minutes early to review the selected readings.

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Please bring a completed Audition Form with you, along with a non-returnable headshot.​

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Before booking your audition time please ensure you are available for all performance dates. You must also advise if there is a possibility of you taking on professional acting work that may conflict with rehearsal and performance dates.

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Should minors be cast, all participants will be required to produce or apply for a Working With Children Check per WLT's Child Safety Policy.

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Season Dates: 11 February 2026 – 28 February 2026

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Showtimes:

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8:00pm on:

• Wednesday 11 February - Saturday 14 February 2026

• Wednesday 18 February - Saturday 21 February 2026 

• Wednesday 25 February - Saturday 28 February 2026

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5:00pm on:

• Sunday 15 February 2026

• Sunday 22 February 2026

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