Pressure by David Haig
Playing dates: 15-20 April 2024
Audition date: Sunday 5th November at 10:00 AM at the theatre.
Rehearsals will start in late February.
This is the true story of the lead up to the D Day landings of June 1944.
General Eisenhower is under pressure – he knows he will have only one chance to invade, and failure will cost thousands of lives. He needs the right weather – but will it be the high pressure he needs, or low pressure that will bring disaster?
Eisenhower brings in the Met Office’s chief meteorologist, James Stagg, who is under pressure himself – his wife is expecting their second child any day and her first confinement was touch and go.
This is a gripping thriller for those who do not know what happened, and a fascinating explanation of events for those that do.
Most of the characters in this excellent piece were real people but characterisation will be more important than looking like the actual person.
Characters (with approximate playing ages):
James Stagg (40-50) – a dour Scot. This is a mayor lead role – Stagg is on stage for most of the play.
General Dwight Eisenhower (50-60) – the man who must decide the outcome of the war. On the surface he has great confidence but with a legendary temper and also a softer side too. Another major lead role.
Kay Summersby (30-45) – Eisenhower’s driver & confidante. Calm, kind and level headed – it is Kay that persuades Eisenhower to trust Stagg. Another major lead role.
Andrew Carter (25-60) – Stagg’s chief assistant with total belief in his boss. He can either be played as a young man or older man who remains young at heart.
Colonel Irving Krick (US chief meteorologist) (30-50) – brash, confident but ultimately admits he is wrong with good grace.
Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory, Air Chief Marshall (50-70) – calm and purposeful.
Admiral Sir ‘Bertie’ Ramsay (50-70) -calm and purposeful.
General ‘Tooey’ Spaatz, US Air Force (50-70) – forceful.
2 Naval meteorologists (25-60). These 2 actors will covers the lines for Captain Johns as well as all the meteorologists in the script.
Electrician (60-70) – he is only on 1 page but he never stops talking while setting up additional telephones for Stagg. This is lovely cameo that can be doubled with one of the C in Cs.
If you’d like to borrow a script or want any more information, please complete the audition form below or call/text me on 07527 497770.
Michael Seeley, Director
As with all auditions at The Talisman Theatre, there is very much an open audition policy in place and we welcome anyone to come along to the theatre and audition for the available roles. Please see our diversity statement below for more details.
