AUDITIONS for the Tavonians Theatre Company's autumn production, Alan Ayckbourn's tragic comedy Absurd Person Singular take place next week.

The auditions, which are open to anyone, not just current members of the Tavonians, will be on Sunday May 15 at 2.30pm and Thursday May 19 at 7.30, in the Guide Hall, Tavistock — the blue door as you turn from Canal Road into Bedford Car Park.

There are two dates in the hope that people can manage to get to one of them but there is no need to come to both.

Auditions are being held well in advance so that those who are successful will have the summer to learn their roles before rehearsals start in September.

As well as those interested in a role in the play, anyone who would like to help backstage can come along to the auditions. The set for the play is very complex as it is set in three different kitchens, so a really good stage team is needed.

The play is being directed by Stuart Waterworth, who says: 'Absurd Person Singular is very funny and, as always with Ayckbourn, the humour flows from the tragedy – for the whole of one act one character is trying to commit suicide in various different ways and she doesn't say a word. No one notices. This is probably one of the most interesting and tragic parts Ayckbourn has written.

'The action takes place on three successive Christmases and has just six characters; three couples of roughly middle-age from very different social backgrounds whose fortunes and relationships change dramatically over the course of the play.'

Stuart asks that people come to the auditions having read the play and knowing for which character they would like to audition, although they just might be asked to read for other parts as well because it is important to get the balance right between the three couples.

The Tavonians held a reading of the play last month, so many people will already know it well. There are some copies of the script available for anyone who does not know the play and copies of a few scenes for anyone who would just like to practice one of the roles.

Performances of Alan Ayckbourn's Absurd Person Singular will be in late November at The Wharf.

This is a busy time for the Tavonians. 'Come into the Garden', a series of mini performances and sketches on the theme of gardens and countryside and taking place in a garden are being planned for late July.

The Tavonians have recently been selected to be a part of the Royal Shakespeare Company's Open Stages project and will be involved in their skills exchange weekend soon, prior to working on a production entitled 'A Caper through Shakespeare', which it is hoped will be performed at the Tavistock Festival next year as well as at Buckland Abbey.

Information about rhe Tavonians or the auditions is available by phoning 0845 519 6592, emailing [email protected]">[email protected], or visiting the website http://www.tavonians.org.uk">www.tavonians.org.uk