Current Auditions
This is our second show for next year. The full 2026 Season will be announced in October.
The Visit
by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, directed by Andrew Ferguson
Performances Dates: 17 April 2026 – 2 May 2026
Audition Dates: Sunday 23 November 2026 (6:30pm), and Monday 24 November 2026 (6:30pm) at our theatre, 29 Burke Road, Malvern East
CHARACTERS (open to all ethnicities)
Mayor: any gender, 30+
Staid, rambling, and insincere. They initially reject Claire’s promise of a billion dollars in exchange for Ill’s death but become seduced by the prospect of material gain. In the end, they incite the crowd at Ill’s ‘trial’ to vote to kill Ill. Support role.
Pastor: any gender, 30+
A Güllener, and the representative of religion in the town, who is eventually seduced by Claire’s money. Support role.
Teacher: any gender, 30+
The only person in Güllen (besides Ill) to acknowledge the danger of the Gülleners’ new spending habits after Claire’s proposal. They struggle to balance devotion to humanist philosophy with desire for material gain. Support role.
Doctor: any gender, 30+
Güllen’s doctor. They and the teacher visit Claire at the beginning of Act III, hoping to dissuade her from killing Ill. Support role.
Police Person: any gender, 30+
A Güllener, and the representative of the town’s law enforcement within the play, who is eventually seduced by Claire’s money. Support role.
Painter: any gender, 30+
Spends much of their time in the play painting banners, e.g. to welcome Claire to the town. Support role.
Pedro: male, 40+
Claire cycles through three husbands over the course of the play. The same actor plays the three roles, with Pedro having the most lines. Support role.
10 Ensemble actors: any gender, 20+
Ensemble actors will play up to 3 different roles, e.g. butler, station master, athlete, train conductor, thug. Most importantly they will be a presence throughout the play as the townspeople, which is itself a ‘character’.
Ensemble actors make a very important contribution to the success of staging this complex play. Capacity to convincingly portray several different characters and work cooperatively as a member of the ensemble essential. Ability as a gymnast and/or to play guitar desirable, but not essential.
Precast Characters: Claire Zachanassian, Anton Schill (Ill)
SYNOPSIS
‘The Visit’ is a darkly satirical and tragic comedy that explores justice, vengeance and moral decay. When billionaire Claire Zachanassian returns to her impoverished hometown of Güllen, she offers the citizens a fortune – on one chilling condition: they must kill the man who once betrayed her. Initially appalled, the townspeople slowly rationalise the murder.
Dürrenmatt masterfully exposes the fragility of ethics under financial desperation, weaving absurdity and irony into a haunting critique of collective guilt. As Claire’s grotesque entourage and surreal demands unfold, the play explores the dark side of human nature, especially societal compromise. ‘The Visit’ is a masterpiece of 20th Century European theatre – we are proud to bring this seldom-performed work to the Malvern stage.
Audition Enquiries Contact: Andrew Ferguson
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
You must book an audition time with the Director (refer information on the Victorian Drama League website for additional information, including contact details for the Director). After you have booked an audition time, you will be emailed a link to complete an online Audition Form.
VERY IMPORTANT
You must book an audition time with the Director (refer information on the Victorian Drama League website for additional information, including contact details for the Director). After you have booked an audition time, you will be emailed a link to complete an online Audition Form.