84 Charing Cross Road
84 Charing Cross Road
Adapted for the stage by James Roose-Evans
Allan Carter
28 January - 4 February 2023
Performances
Sat 7:45pm, Mon 7:45pm, Tue 7:45pm, Wed 7:45pm, Thu 7:45pm, Fri 7:45pm, Sat 2:45pm, Sat 7:45pm theatre
“If you happen to pass by 84 Charing Cross Road, kiss it for me! I owe it so much!”
Synopsis
Director's Notes
Those words of Helene Hanff’s, written in 1969 say so much to me about this story.
It began with a letter to a London bookshop enquiring about some antiquarian books from a struggling writer in New York. Against the background of a changing world a special relationship grew over the years between Helene and the shop’s staff. Although they never met and spoke to each other only through the letters they exchanged, a warmth and closeness developed between them, particularly the manager, Frank Doel.
This amateur production of 84 Charing Cross Road is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd on behalf of Samuel French Ltd www.concordtheatricals.co.uk
Audition Info
| Audition | Thu 27 October 2022 | 7:30pm | Foyer |
“If you happen to pass by 84 Charing Cross Road, kiss it for me! I owe it so much!”
Those words of Helene Hanff’s, written in 1969 say so much to me about this story. It began with a letter to a London bookshop enquiring about some antiquarian books from a struggling writer in New York. Against the background of a changing world a special relationship grew over the years between Helene and the shop’s staff. Although they never met and spoke to each other only through the letters they exchanged, a warmth and closeness developed between them, particularly the manager, Frank Doel.
This stage play takes as its script those letters and builds a story that ran for many years. My take on the play is that we see the people at Marks & Co as Helene imagined them and visa versa to a certain extent. Therefore, I can be quite flexible on age, at least with certain parts.
Characters
Helene Hanff - Feisty New Yorker - 30s to 50s
Frank Doel - Manager, very English and correct - 40s to 60s
Megan Wells – Assistant - 20s to 30s
Cecily Farr – Assistant - 20s to 30s
Mr Martin - Worked there years. Non-speaking - 60+
Maxine Stuart - American friend of Helene’s - Flexible
William Humphries - Young Assistant who stays with firm - 20s
Joan Todd – Assistant - Flexible
(The parts of Maxine and Joan can be doubled up)
If anybody would like to read through the audition pieces please get in contact with the Director either at alanvcarter1@hotmail.com or on 07960 945688.