Tip Top Productions hosting auditions for ‘Sweet Charity’ musical

A local community theatre company is set to host auditions and a special dance workshop ahead of its upcoming major production.

Tip Top Productions will stage the classic Broadway Musical ‘Sweet Charity’ at Theatr Clwyd’s Theatr Mix in June.

The theatre company is looking for actors to fill both main and ensemble roles for the show with auditions set to take place from 10am on Sunday 4 February at Tip Top’s rehearsal venue in Park Street, Wrexham.

Sweet Charity tells the story of Charity Hope Valentine, a down on her luck dance hall hostess who longs to find love.

She works at the seedy Fandango ballroom with her sassy friends and hopes to someday find Mr. Right.

Could he be the international movie star, Vittorio Vidal, with whom Charity spends one romantic evening? Or the claustrophobic accountant, Oscar, with whom she gets stuck in an elevator? Or, does the real answer to her happiness lay somewhere inside her?

With a score by Cy Coleman, book by Neil Simon, and original choreography by Bob Fosse, Charity’s adventurous journey towards love is marked by some of the best loved songs (If My Friends Could See Me Now, There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This, I’m a Brass Band), and some of the most iconic dance numbers (Big Spender, Rich Man’s Frug, Rhythm of Life) in Broadway history.

In preparation for the ‘Sweet Charity’ auditions, Tip Top are also hosting a special Fosse Dance Workshop which will be led by West End professional James Liley.

The workshop, which is strictly for ages 18 and over will focus on learning choreography in the style of legendary Broadway choreographer Bob Fosse who was responsible for the iconic dance routines in the original production of ‘Sweet Charity’ and shows including ‘Chicago’ and ‘Cabaret’.

The workshop will take place at 10am Sunday 28 January at The Dance Studio at Coleg Cambria in Wrexham.

A professional Dance and Musical Theatre teacher from London, James studied dance at The Hammond School in Chester from the age of 11-16 and continued his professional training in London at Millennium Performing Arts where he graduated in 2012.

During his training, James was fortunate enough to be able to work with the Royal Ballet Company on their production of Sleeping Beauty (Royal Opera House Covent Garden) and was then invited to work with the Birmingham Royal Ballet on their production of Romeo and Juliet.

James’ favourite credits include Bob Enright in 9 to 5 The Musical (West End, Savoy Theatre), 42nd Street (West End, Theatre Royal Drury Lane) Mungojerrie in CATS, Eddie in Mamma Mia! (Cyprus) and Mamma Mia! (International Tour).

He most recently played Link Larkin in Hairspray and is now very happy to be a permanent teacher at the Hammond School.

Places on the workshop will be £5 for Tip Top Members and £15 for non-members.

Full details of ‘Sweet Charity’, all the roles up for grabs, playing ages, downloads for audition pieces and what to expect at the auditions can be found on the website.

Anyone wishing to audition should contact the show’s director Steve Davies by email via the website to confirm their intention to audition.

The production will run at Theatr Clwyd from 10 – 15 June, with rehearsals set to commence in March and auditionees should be sure that they are able to commit to the rehearsal schedule before auditioning.

Full details of ‘Sweet Charity’, audition information and how to book a place on the Fosse Dance Workshop can be found on the website.