The Lady in the Van

At
Stables Theatre
Cnr Arthur St & Main Highway
Ellerslie
Auckland
Map

The Play
THE LADY IN THE VAN, adapted by Alan Bennett from his memoir, tells the true story of his unlikely friendship with Miss Shepherd, a homeless elderly woman who took up residence on Bennett’s street in a broken-down van, until parking regulations changed. Bennett, in a moment of misguided generosity, offered her a temporary park in his driveway in 1973, where she stayed for the next 15 years. Miss Shepherd, a promising concert pianist between the wars and drove an ambulance during World War II, was twice rejected from becoming a nun. Well-educated, cantankerously articulate and deeply religious, she had lived in a succession of vans around Camden.

Bennett recounts the strange life of Miss Shepherd and her van, which was overstuffed with decades' worth of old clothes, oozing batteries, and kitchen utensils still in their original packaging. A mesmerizing portrait of an outsider with an acquisitive taste and an indomitable spirit, this biographical essay is drawn with equal parts fascination and compassion and is, as you would expect from Bennett, a beautifully observed, sharply intelligent and wonderfully witty drama.

Contact details
Contact Des Smith to get an e-copy of the play and to find out which pieces to focus on for the audition.
Des Smith
email: des.smith1966@gmail.com
telephone: 021 323 513

Rehearsals
Commence Tuesday 4 September 2018, Tuesdays and Thursdays each week from 7.30pm, Sundays from 12.30pm

Season
Thursday 8 November to Saturday 17 November 2018 - 10 performances including 2 matinees

About the director
Des is delighted to be returning to the theatre company he calls home. Having acted in several plays with ETS over the years, ETS took a leap of faith giving Des his directorial debut with The Weir in 2007. The play went on to win best production in the annual ACTT awards. Des followed this with The History Boys, also by Alan Bennett, in 2010 (ACTT best comedy) and Travels with My Aunt in 2012. Des's directorial style is to give the actors a solid framework and vision to work within and then work in a creative and fun environment. This allows all members of the team from the actors to the technical crew to contribute and discuss ideas that work within the overall vision. 'When people are allowed to give of their creativity and ideas freely without fear, the journey is an experience everyone will remember with pleasure. The result is something that an audience can feel the energy and love of what has been created by all involved.'

Play Setting
The action of the play takes place in Alan Bennett's house and garden and the street outside, in Camden, London between 1974 and 1989.

Cast Required
* The ages are only suggestions and should only be treated as guidelines. If you are outside of this age range but feel you are perfect for the role, please come along to audition.

* English accents are required and will vary according to the Character. For the purpose of the audition it will be necessary to attempt an accent.