Colchester Operatic Society are performing ‘Annie’ at the Mercury Theatre from Wednesday 30^th January to Saturday 9^th February 2019

(with technical and dress rehearsals in the theatre on Monday 28th & Tuesday 29th January 2019)

Musical Director: Neil Somerville

Director: Adam Woodhouse

Assisted by Laura Hicks

There are a range of parts for adults and lots of scenes for our chorus to be involved in and we love having new members join our society.

Come along to our adult pre-audition rehearsals on Monday 24th September 7.30pm – 10pm at the Officers Club and Thursday 27th September 7.30pm – 10pm at Prettygate Junior School to find out more.

Auditions will take place 10am to 4pm on Sunday 30th September, also at Prettygate Junior school.

It is not compulsory, but advisable to attend at least one pre-audition rehearsal before auditioning.  

Those wishing to audition will need to let us know by Friday 28th September – either by email to cos1theatre@hotmail.com or returning a completed audition form to us at a rehearsal.

You must be a paid up member to audition but you can join or renew your membership at a pre-audition rehearsal.

If you are interested in joining us for this show, please see our become a member page for more details and you can contact us using our contact page or contact our membership secretary on cos1theatre@hotmail.com.

Colchester Operatic Society are performing ‘Annie’ at the Mercury Theatre from Wednesday 30^th January to Saturday 9^th February 2019.

Musical Director: Neil Somerville

Director: Adam Woodhouse

Assisted by Laura Hicks

We are looking for two teams of 7 children (Annie plus 6 Orphans) to join us.

You can be any age from 7 upwards and no taller than 150cm (4 feet 11 inches), to play the parts of:

Annie, playing age 11
Duffy, playing age 13
July, playing age 13
Kate, playing age 7
Molly, playing age 6
Pepper, playing age 12
Tessie, playing age 10

If this is of interest to your child we would ask you supply a video recording of them as per the instructions below:

In an American accent, please say the following:

“Hi, my name is ______, I’m ___ years old, and I’m auditioning for the part of ____ “

Then, in an American accent, using the backing track provided, please sing the following lines from “Hard-Knock Life” using the backing track provided:

It’s the hard-knock life for us! It’s the hard-knock life for us!
‘Steada treated, we get tricked! ‘Steada kisses, we get kicked!
It’s the hard-knock life!
Got no folks to speak of, so, it’s the hard-knock row we hoe.
Cotton blankets ‘steada wool! Empty bellies ‘steada full!
It’s the hard-knock life!

Hard-knock life audition backing track:

Email the recording to: cos1theatre@hotmail.com, upon completion

DEADLINE for accepting video submissions is Midnight on 11^th September 2018.

If your child is successful in this first step you will be invited to attend a pre-audition session on Tuesday 25th September at Prettygate Junior School, Plume Avenue Colchester, Essex, CO3 4PH. at 7.30pm – 10pm. There will be an opportunity to practice singing, learn a dance routine and work on some dialogue.

The live auditions will take place on Friday 28th September at Prettygate Junior School from 6.30pm – 10pm.

There will be a £60.00 show fee for all of those offered a role. The show fee needs to be paid on the first rehearsal – Monday October 1st.

Emails will be sent out advising whether your child has been successful or not.

A detailed rehearsal schedule will be sent to successful candidates along with a letter of acceptance and medical form.

Rehearsals are on a Monday evenings at the Officer’s Club and Thursday evenings at St. Therea’s (7.30pm-10pm) with some Sunday daytimes. You will not be ‘called’ for every rehearsal.

We ask for a high level of commitment with particular importance after the New Year, when rehearsals will be every Monday, Thursday and Sunday until the show opens.

Colchester Operatic Society (COS) works closely with Essex County Council to ensure compliance with the various Child Protection Legislation. COS have a “Child Protection Policy” available to view on their website. A copy will also be available at all rehearsals and performances.

Registered chaperones will be responsible for the care of members until they are returned to parents or parent-nominated adult.  We will endeavour to finish rehearsals and performances at the notified times and would respectfully request that parents collect their child promptly at that time.

A chaperone will stay with members until they are collected.  They will not be allowed to leave unsupervised.

If you have any further questions you can contact us via this website using our contact form.

We look forward to hearing from you and good luck!