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The Crown Jewels 

By Simon Nye

24th - 26th April 2025

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Director: Gemma D

Production Manager: David Ames 

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Workshop Dates: Thursday 7th and Wednesday 13th November 2024 at 7.45pm

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Audition Date: Sunday 17th November 2024, 10.30am

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Cast read through: Wednesday 11th December 2024 at 7.45pm

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Rehearsals: Tuesday and Wednesday evenings 7.45pm from Tuesday 28th January 2025.

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It’s 1671, and the charismatic and unpredictable Colonel Blood is planning the greatest heist of all time: stealing – in plain sight – the Crown Jewels from The Tower of London.
 

With an audacious plan and a gang of misfits by his side, can he possibly pull it off? And is King Charles II in any mood to have his crown jewels handled?
 

Based on the scarcely believable true story, The Crown Jewels is a riotous and uproarious royal affair.
 

Written by Simon Nye (BAFTA-winning creator of hit television series The Durrells and Men Behaving Badly, this royally funny caper will be a hoot to perform.
 

 

Characters:
 

King Charles II: Sharp, lusty, ruthless. Talks direct to members of the audience at times, so someone who is able to converse well and adlib would be a bonus. Playing age (30-50)
 

Colonel Thomas Blood: Charismatic, mercurial Irishman. Hell bent on revenge, extremely confident. (Playing age 30-55)

Tom Blood Jnr: Blood’s son, decent, not always the brightest. In love with Jenny. (Playing age 18 – 35)
 

Jenny Blaine: Ballsy youthful actress, keen to showcase her skills. Over the top acting skills, quite argumentative and in love with Tom. (Playing age 18 – 35)
 

Captain Robert Perrot: Hothead, ex-preacher, relentlessly angry. (Playing age 25 – 60)
 

Talbot Edwards: Custodian, old solider, survivor. Looks after the Irish Tower where the crown jewels are kept. Married for a long time, loves his wife, they finish each other’s sentences. (Playing age 60+ but could be younger and will be aged up)
 

Mrs Edwards: Good-hearted, industrious. Looks for ways to make money. Loves her daughter but prefers her son and disappears of her daughter. Loves her husband. (Playing age 45+)
 

Elizabeth Edwards: Daughter of the Edwards, Emotional, Dramatic. Always disappointing her parents and wants to marry someone she chooses. (Playing age 18 – 35)
 

French Noblewoman: Very French. Has to sit amongst the audience for a while. May also double up as courtier for scene changes. (Playing age 25+)
 

Wythe Edwards: Son of the Edwards, a fearless, bouncy sailor. The favourite child. May also double up as courtier for scene changes. (Playing age 18 – 35)
 

Jailer: Runs a tight jail, loves a celebrity criminal. Male or Female. May also double up as courtier for scene changes. (Playing age 18+)\

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Tourist: Foppish Royalist. Male or Female. May also double up as courtier for scene changes. (Playing age 18+)
 

Suitor: Handsome, military man. May also double up as courtier for scene changes. (Playing age 18-25)
 

Lady of the Bedchamber: Game. Has to sing a couple of ditty’s and flirt with the king. May also double up as courtier for scene changes. (Playing age 20+)

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Footman: Personable and bright. May also double up as courtier for scene changes. (Playing age 18+)
 

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Please note, parts can be doubled as follows, depending on the auditions:
 

Talbot Edwards/Charles II

Mrs Edwards/French Noblewoman

Elizabeth Edwards/Lady of the Bedchamber

Wythe Edwards/Footman

Jenny Blaine/Jailer

Perrot/Tourist

Tom Blood Jnr/Suitor
 

We may then need a couple of additional footmen that are non-speaking for scene changes.

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