Audition Notice: The Watsons
We are pleased to share audition details for our March 2026 show, Laura Wade’s hilarious and modern comedy, The Watsons. We’ve sat down with director Hedda Bird to hear what’s in store.
The story
Laura Wade’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s unfinished novel sparkles with Austen’s wit and humour. Every scene you would expect from a Jane Austen novel is here, but not in quite the way you might expect it.
This is about what happens when the writer loses the plot and the characters resent discovering they are not real, but there must still be proposals, rejections, declarations of love and even a ball or two.
This is a wonderful comic play sure to delight Austen fans, while being a modern take on the meaning of love, marriage and what on earth is a young woman meant to do with her life.
The characters
| Role | Description |
| Emma Watson | Our heroine, 19 |
| Elizabeth Watson | Emma’s eldest sister, late 20s |
| Margaret Watson | Emma’s middle sister, 20s |
| Robert Watson | Emma’s older brother, 25-35 |
| Mrs Robert | Robert’s wife, Mary, 25-35 |
| Nanny | The Watson’s servant, 45-60 |
| Tom Musgrave | A gentleman, 25-40 |
| Lord Osborne | 20-30 |
| Lady Osborne | Mother to Lord / Miss Osborne, 50+ |
| Miss Osborne | Lord Osborne’s sister, 20s |
| Dr Howard | A clergyman, 30-45 |
| Charles Howard | Mr Howard’s nephew, 10 |
| Mrs Edwards | Emma’s chaperone, 40-60 |
| Mr Edwards | Mrs Edwards’ husband, 45-65 |
| Bertie | An officer, 25-40 |
| Laura | A writer, 35-45 |
Up to 8 other Militia, Guests at the Assembly, any other Jane Austen character you fancy.
The company
It is large cast show with 16 speaking parts including a ten year old boy, and up to 8 other people multi-rolling as militia, guests at a ball, and every other Jane Austen character you can think of.
When you read the script you will see that the text has the characters telling each other about events by ‘stepping in and out’ of the scenes they are describing. This makes for a very fast moving and entertaining play, it also means that many characters will be required at most rehearsals.
Auditions
At the auditions I will be working on very short sections of the play, inviting everyone to try different ways of playing these moments. You will find the audition much easier if you have read the play or come to the open reading. Scripts will be available shortly at the theatre. Please return any borrowed copies as soon as you have read them.
Rehearsals
We will mostly be rehearsing on Sunday afternoons, Monday and Thursday evenings. A lot of characters are on stage most of the time.
In the pre-Christmas rehearsal period we will spend a lot of time working out what is going on – who is talking to who, what is happening on stage. I will expect people to learn their lines over Christmas, and then we can work on bringing it to life from January onwards. There are also a few short parts for those of you with less time to commit. The multi-role people will have a lot of stage time and are mostly non-speaking.
Readthrough: Monday 28 September: 7.45pm WT
Auditions: Monday 6 & Wednesday 8 October: 7.45pm WT
Further auditions and recalls: w/c 13 October
First company readthrough: w/c 3 November
Performances: Wed 18 to Sat 28 March 2026
HEDDA BIRD • Director
hedda@btconnect.com
RACHEL PEARSON • Production Manager
rachelp@wokinghamtheatre.org.uk
Please note, any non-members wishing to audition will need to become a member if they are cast, before they are able to take part in the show. You can find out more about membership here.