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The
Hampstead Players 2026 Summer Production The Hampstead Players’ 2026 summer production will be Emma by Jane Austen, adapted by Alice Lambert. This is a play full of wit, humour, keen observation, and a large cast of (mostly) loveable, highly relatable characters. Directors Sheena Craig and Alice Lambert Audition dates and information Thursday 19th March 2026 at 7:30pm in the Crypt Room (as you face the church entrance, walk around to the left, go all the way back; where you see stairs leading down, enter there) Sunday 22nd March 2026 at 7:30pm in the church (as you face the church entrance, walk around to the left, go all the way back; where you see stairs leading up, go up the steps and enter, or ring the bell if the door is locked) Church address: The Parish Church of St John-at-Hampstead, Church Row NW3 6UU If you are not able to attend either audition, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you (email us at [email protected]). The audition will consist of acting out scenes from the play in groups. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the relevant scenes beforehand (see audition pieces below), but there’s no need to learn anything off by heart, or to know the story of Emma. Just bring enthusiasm, a desire to immerse yourself in Jane Austen’s Regency world – and your diary, so you can let us know of any rehearsal dates for which you won’t be available. Everyone is very welcome, regardless of their level of experience! The play 1813: Clever, confident twenty-year-old Emma Woodhouse delights in her privileged position in the village of Highbury. When her former governess, Miss Taylor, marries, Emma befriends seventeen-year-old Harriet Smith, a good-natured, naïve girl of uncertain parentage. Ignoring the warnings of her friend and neighbour, Mr Knightley, Emma attempts to improve Harriet’s prospects by matchmaking…but her choice of the ambitious vicar, Mr Elton, proves disastrous. As Emma tries to recover from her mistake and put things right, the arrival of the accomplished Jane Fairfax and the charming Frank Churchill unsettles Highbury further. Through a ball, a strawberry-picking party and a picnic, misunderstandings multiply, feelings deepen and secrets surface before Emma finally recognises the truth of her own heart. Rehearsals Rehearsals will usually be held on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays at 7:30pm, at Hampstead Parish Church, from Friday 10 April. During the week before the show, there will be additional rehearsals, including technical and dress rehearsals. We expect cast members to be available every evening of production week, 27 June-1 July, plus, of course, the performance dates, 2-4 July. Performances There will be four performances, which will take place on Thursday 2nd, Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th July at 7:30pm and a matinee performance at 2:30pm on the Saturday. Characters Emma Woodhouse (20s-30s, female, must be able to sing) Emma Woodhouse is lively, confident, quick-witted…and more than a little snobby. Devoted to her father, and former governess, Mrs Weston, Emma has a kind heart and tries to put things right when her strong opinions and impetuousness lead her to make unwise decisions. Mr Woodhouse (50s-70s, male) Mr Woodhouse is a gentle, anxious and overprotective father. He constantly worries about his own health and that of his family and friends. Mr Knightley (30s-40s, male) Mr Knightley is a neighbour of the Woodhouses and Emma’s sister’s brother-in-law (!). Caring and considerate, with an uncompromising sense of duty, Mr Knightley is the only character who is clear-eyed about Emma’s faults and prepared to confront her about them. Harriet Smith (teens-20s, female) Harriet Smith is a gentle, naïve, sunny-natured seventeen-year-old of uncertain parentage. She can’t believe her luck when she is befriended by Miss Woodhouse (Emma), whom she is inclined to hero-worship. Mrs Weston née Taylor (30s-40s, female) Newly and happily married to Mr Weston, Mrs Weston is a fount of kindness and good sense, although she can be blind to Emma’s faults. Former governess to both Woodhouse sisters, she remains particularly close to Emma. Mr Elton (20s-30s, male) An attractive young vicar, Mr Elton is the heartthrob of Highbury. However, beneath his outward charm and solicitude lurks a petty, vindictive heart. Mr Weston (40s-50s, male) Mr Weston is affable, sociable and well-liked by all. His son, Frank, is his pride and joy. When his first wife – Frank’s mother – died, Mr Weston was pressured to give baby Frank away to be raised by his maternal aunt. Miss Bates (40s-50s, female) Good-hearted and garrulous, Miss Bates is a gentlewoman fallen on hard times. She thinks the world of her niece, Jane Fairfax, and never has a bad word to say about anyone. Mrs Bates (60s-80s, female) Mother of Miss Bates and grandmother of Jane Fairfax, Mrs Bates is good friends with Mr Woodhouse. She has poor hearing, a forbearing nature and a partiality to a roast loin of pork. Jane Fairfax (20s-30s, female, must be able to sing) Jane Fairfax is an accomplished musician. Serious and reserved, she is burdened by a secret and worries about her future. She is an orphan who was raised outside Highbury by the Campbell family. Frank Churchill (20s-30s, male) Frank Churchill is charming, witty and sociable, with a penchant for making mischief. Materially privileged and raised by a controlling aunt, he can be selfish and inconsiderate. Mrs Elton née Hawkins (20s-30s, female) Newlywed Mrs Elton sees herself as the Queen Bee of Highbury, much to Emma’s annoyance. She excels at one-upmanship and enjoys interfering in the lives of others. John Knightley (30s-40s, male) John Knightley is a dutiful husband and father, but has a sarcastic streak and takes pleasure in needling his overly anxious father-in-law. He and his family live in London. Isabella Knightley née Woodhouse (20s-40s, female) Isabella Knightley, Emma’s older sister, is a loving wife and mother to her five children. Like her father, she worries about the health of her loved ones. She and her family live in London. Mr Martin (20s-30s, male) Mr Martin is a hard-working, kind-hearted, loyal farmer, who has fallen in love with Harriet Smith. Mrs Cole (20s-40s, female) Inquisitive and sociable, Mrs Cole is a prime source of Highbury gossip. There are some additional small and non-speaking roles that we anticipate will be played by the actors playing Mr Martin and Mrs Cole, which are also small roles. Whether you know exactly which character you’d like to play, or are open to playing any character, that’s fine – you can let us know in the form we’ll ask you to fill in at the audition. Audition pieces Here are the scenes we will be using at the auditions: Act 1, Scene 1, After the wedding (Emma, Mr Woodhouse and Mr Knightley) Act 1, Scene 2, Encounter on a walk (Emma, Harriet Smith and Mr Martin) Act 1, Scene 10, An unwelcome proposal (Emma and Mr Elton) Act 1, Scene 14, A party – and a pianoforté (Emma, Frank Churchill and Mrs Weston) Act 2, Scene 1, Arrival of Mrs Elton (Emma and Mrs Elton) Act 2, Scene 4, Strawberry-picking at Donwell (Emma, Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill) Act 2, Scene 5, Box Hill, part 1 (Emma, Mr Knightley, Frank Churchill, Harriet Smith, Jane Fairfax, Mr Elton, Mrs Elton, Mr Weston and Miss Bates) Act 2, Scene 5, Box Hill, part 2 (Emma and Mr Knightley) Act 2, Scene 6, Remorse (Emma and Miss Bates) Membership You don’t have to be a member of The Hampstead Players to audition, but if you are offered a part, you’ll need to join in order to perform. Information about membership can be found here. Cast members will also need to pay an additional £10 to cover production costs. If you have questions or concerns about any of the above, or are interested in taking part in another capacity (e.g. backstage, front of house, etc.), please email us at: [email protected] We look forward to seeing you soon! |
