AUDITION NOTICE: The Cottage, June 13, 2026

Ottawa Little Theatre presents

The Cottage
Written by: Sandy Rustin

Directed by: Brian McManus

Production Dates:
September 23 – October 10, 2026 at 7:30 pm (Wednesdays – Saturdays) and matinees on September 27 & October 3 at 2:30 pm (Sundays)
All actors must be available for all performances. 

Open Call Audition:
Auditions  will be held on:

Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 1:00 pm
Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to fill out your audition card – onstage readings will commence at 1:00pm sharp.

Audition Location:
Ottawa Little Theatre
400 King Edward Avenue, Ottawa
(Please use 235 Besserer Street entrance.)

Backstage Orientation:
Simultaneously with the audition, A BACKSTAGE ORIENTATION and tour of the theatre will be offered by a member of the Volunteer Committee for anyone interested in working behind the scenes on any future production. Descriptions of each of the various Volunteer Positions can be found in the Volunteer section of this website.

Synopsis:
This comedy is a modern take on the traditional bedroom farce. Although it is situated in 1923 London, it has an updated feminist theme which presents the female roles with more power and substance than the conventional traditional farces of the 19th and 20th centuries. It is a wonderfully crafted script offering each character delightful opportunity for big scenes and a satisfying transformation.

Time Commitment:

• Rehearsals will be Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday from July 2 to August 3.
• Rehearsals will change to Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday (afternoon or evening TBD) starting on August 5th.
• Final rehearsals on stage will begin September 8th.
• The show opens September 23rd and closes October 10th, 2026.

Character Descriptions & Audition Sides

All characters are generally in mid-twenties to mid-thirties. There is some flexibility regarding age. The focus will be to select an ensemble with good chemistry.

• Sylvia
  • Attractive, impetuous and married to Clarke, the younger brother.
  • Smitten with Beau, the older brother.
  • Disenchanted with her marriage and sex life.
  • Eager to assert herself, possibly suffragette and Mama’s favourite.
• Beau
  • The older brother.
  • Attractive and married to Marjorie.
  • A lawyer – entitled, self absorbed.
  • A womanizer and a little shallow.
• Marjorie
  • A hugely pregnant woman of stature.
  • A Baroness – late Victorian,
    perhaps something of a catch in Mama’s eyes.
  • Married to Beau but apparently infatuated with Clarke.
    Competes with Sylvia
• Clarke
  • Married to Sylvia.
  • Not overly secure or self aware.
  • An accountant and father of Marjorie’s baby
  • Competes with Beau

• Deirdre
  • Beau’s unlikely paramour diminutive and plain.
  • A prostitute – (unencumbered by post Victorian norms).
  • A free spirit, flighty yet insightful.
  • Also impulsive and, ironically, less economically disadvantaged.
  • Married to Richard.
• Richard
  • Previously William, Sylvia’s betrothed,
  • A rather dubious WW1 deserter in hiding as…
  • …a mild-mannered serial killer,
  • Recently divorced from Deirdre
• The Gardener
  • – a breath of fresh air
  • This is a one-line cameo for the last gag. This could be shared. 

Sides

1. Breakfast (p.10-13) – Sylvia & Beau
2. Hello Marjorie (p.20-23) – Marjorie & Beau, Marjorie; Sylvia
3. Hello Clarke (p.24-27) – Clarke, Beau, Sylvia; Marjorie
4. Hello Deirdre (p.28-31) – Deirdre, Marjorie, Beau, Clarke & Sylvia
5. Divorce is murder (p.34-36) – Deirdre, Marjorie, Beau, Clarke & Sylvia
6. A wife always knows (p.49-50) – Beau & Marjorie
7. Slightly murderous (p.57-60) – Sylvia, Clarke, Richard
8. Beau to the Rescue (p.62) – Beau, Sylvia & Richard
9. Crumpets and Clarke (p.66-68) – Sylvia & Richard
10. Deirdre’s Revenge (p.69-71) – Richard, Sylvia & Deirdre