AUDITIONS FOR
Caught in the Villain's Web
will be held Thursday, August 27th @3:30pm in the LOHS Theatre.
Performances will be: November 6, 7 & 8 @ 7:00pm
Also you MUST be available to perform at CETA Festival
(if play is chosen) January 15-17, 2027 in Fullerton, CA.
This play is a challenging ensemble comedy and requires a great deal of dedication. Do not audition if you think you will have any difficulty attending EVERY rehearsal to which you are called!! Be sure you will be able to handle the commitment to your fellow actors and the production. This play contains some romance – be sure you and your family are okay with that BEFORE auditioning. Also, be sure your parents/guardians are on board with this commitment also.
•Are you a member of any of the following performance groups? Band, Bear Voices, Choir, a dance team, a sports team? If so, can you commit the time necessary for the play?
• You need to be able to Rehearse Every Day After School From 3:40 Until 5:40. The week of the play, rehearsals WILL run late into the evening. There will also be a Saturday rehearsal or two.
• !!! Please be sure you have parental permission to be in the school play. If you have any doubt, check before you audition!!!
• Unless, you have been given specific permission to miss a rehearsal, you will be expected to be at all practices for which you have been scheduled and COULD LOSE YOUR PART IF YOU MISS.
• Please let your parents know that doctor and dentist appointments, as well as driver’s tests, dance hair appointments, etc., need to be scheduled at a time other than rehearsal time!!
PLAY SYNOPSIS
Felicity Fair, down trodden heroine, is a nurse sent to the Larkfield mansion to attend a hard hearted society matron who is pretending to be ill to force her son, Malvern, to marry the scheming Nella Hargrave. Malvern takes one look at Felicity and falls in love. When Malvern proposes he is unaware that villain Cyril Bothingwell is behind a screen listening. Felicity sadly informs Malvern that she can never marry. Five years ago she was in a train wreck and cannot remember a thing that happened prior to the wreck. She doesn't even know her real name. Cyril tells Felicity that she is his wife but Cryil's nefarious schemes are thwarted to the delight of all.
Performance Style: Caught in the Villain’s Web is an old-fashioned melodrama, where characters, emotions, and situations are intentionally larger than life. Actors should embrace bold physical and vocal choices, clear heroes and villains, dramatic reactions, and direct asides to the audience. The goal is not to make fun of the story, but to commit completely to the ridiculousness—play the stakes seriously and let the comedy come from how passionately the characters believe in what is happening.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
WOMEN:
Regina Larkfield — The wealthy, controlling matriarch of the Larkfield family. Dramatic, stubborn, and used to getting her way, she’ll manipulate just about anyone if she thinks it’s best for her family.
Lona Larkfield — Malvern’s younger sister: energetic, outspoken, curious, and a little dramatic. She loves being in the middle of everyone’s business and isn’t afraid to say exactly what she thinks.
Nella Hargrave — Malvern’s fiancée, and she fully intends to keep it that way. Polished and clever but jealous and calculating, she quickly sees Felicity as competition.
Felicity Fair — A sweet, capable young nurse with a mysterious past and no memory of who she was before a train accident. She’s warm and sincere but stronger than she first appears—and becomes the center of both the romance and the mystery.
Denise — Regina’s French maid, with a strong accent written into the original script. Spirited, funny, flirtatious, and outspoken, she has plenty of personality and isn’t intimidated by the household drama.
Geraldine Hargrave — Nella’s mother and another larger-than-life comic personality. She’s loud, opinionated, dramatic, and perpetually convinced that her latest ailment is practically fatal.
MEN:
Malvern Larkfield — Regina’s charming adult son and the romantic lead. He’s good-hearted and confident, but caught between his overbearing mother, an unwanted engagement, and his instant attraction to Felicity.
Cyril Bothingwell — A smooth-talking con man posing as a respectable lawyer. Charming when it benefits him and dangerous when it doesn’t, Cyril is the play’s scheming villain with a flair for theatrical evil.
Brockton — The Larkfields’ longtime butler, who knows far more than he lets on. Nervous and easily pushed around, he gets caught helping Cyril’s schemes but ultimately has more conscience than his criminal partner.
Dr. Hugo Belch — Regina’s doctor: talkative, sarcastic, and easily exasperated by his impossible patient. He brings a lot of comic energy and isn’t afraid to give Regina attitude right back.
USE THIS SCENE TO AUDITION FOR REGINA & NELLA
NELLA. (Eagerly) Has Malvern agreed to the engagement, Mrs. Larkfield? .
REGINA. (Shrugging her shoulders) I haven't told him Yet.
NELLA. (Taken aback) You mean-
REGINA. (Breaking in angrily) You should know by how that my son spends most of his time in the greenhouses. He has nothing on his mind but the raising of those miserable stinkweeds.
NELLA. (Bewildered) Stinkweeds? But I thought they are called herbs.
REGINA. (Impatient) Call them what you will, they have a foul odor and I intend that Malvern shall stop all this foolishness. That is where you come in.
NELLA. (Aghast) You mean that you intend to substitute me for your son's stinkweeds?
REGINA. (Darting a triumphant glance at NELLA) Well put, my dear Nella. Once you and Malvern are married, we must see to it that you and you alone occupy all of his thoughts. He must give up this ridiculous hobby and never look at a stinkweed again.
NELLA. (Aside; triumphant) This old fool doesn't know that once I am married to her son, I shall wind him around my little finger! (Worried) But suppose Malvern doesn't want to marry me?
REGINA. (Determined) Rest assured that my son will do whatever I bid him to. (Self-righteous) Malvern’s devoted to me. He won't risk bringing on a heart attack that might prove to be fatal.
USE THIS SCENE TO AUDITION FOR FELICITY & MALVERN
FELICITY. (Nervous) Er-if you don't mind, I think I'd better take my plant up to my room. (Starts to leave.)
MALVERN. (Deliberately standing in front of FELICITY) I mind very much. You are using the plant as an excuse to get away from me, but it won't work. (Firmly) Sit down, please. There is a great deal that must be said between us.
FELICITY. (Ill at ease) But must it be said now? Later perhaps-
MALVERN. (Breaking in kindly.) No, it must be now. It is later than you think. Please sit down and listen to me.
FELICITY. (Sitting on sofa; resigned) Very well, since you insist (Aside, fearful) Heavenly Father, give me the courage to put this man out of my life without wounding his sensitive nature.
MALVERN. (Ardent) I don’t know how much of my secret you have guessed but since the first time I saw you I have been suffering from a great pain.
FELICITY. (Hastily) I'm sorry to hear that it gave You a pain to look at me, Malvern.
MALVERN. (Rueful) I didn't mean that the way it sounded. (Nervous) I-er-I just mean that every time I look at you, I seem to get a sinking feeling around my heart.
FELICITY. (Teasing) Indigestion, no doubt. Why don't you try bicarbonate of soda?
MALVERN. (With a foolish grin) I'm afraid I'm too far gone to be helped by bicarb. You, and you alone can supply the remedy that will rid me of this sinking feeling.
FELICITY. (Lightly) Perhaps you should consult Dr. Belch the next time you see him.
MALVERN. (Aside; raptly) How peerless is her beauty! No wonder every time I see her my heart goes boom-boom, boom boom boom boom boom!
USE THIS SCENE TO AUDITION FOR LONA
LONA. Poor Felicity! I wish Mumsie hadn't told her to leave here. This place will be like a morgue without Felicity! (Dismayed) Why didn't I think of offering Felicity some money? I'll never forgive myself for not thinking of it!
REGINA. Lona, where have you been?
LONA. (Anxious) Tell me, Mumsie, did you give Felicity a check before she left here? _ .
REGINA. (Angrily) I offered the girl a check and payment for her services but she refused to accept it. It was just an act on her part, of course. She'll use the money as an excuse to come back here and in that way she thinks she'll get to see Malvern again. I'll see to it that she never gets inside of this house again.
LONA. (Remonstrating)· You'll not have to worry about that. I'm sure that we'll never see Felicity again.
REGINA. (Happily) That will please me greatly. Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say.
LONA. (Sharply) I don't care, I think it was very mean of you to put Felicity out when you did. You might at least have allowed her to stay here until morning.
REGINA. (Flaring angrily) I won't have you criticizing me. This house belongs to me and as long as I am mistress here, I'll run things my own way.
LONA. (Protesting) It's true that you are mistress here but that doesn't give you the right to-
REGINA. (Breaking in sharply) That will do! You've said quite enough as it is. The very idea!
USE THIS SCENE TO AUDITION FOR BROCKTON & CYRIL
BROCKTON. (Worried) Will you please stop beating around the bush and tell me what you are up to?
CYRIL. (Happily)- This is where you come into the picture, Brockton. You will prevail upon the glamorous Felicity to take this plant upstairs, and get her to place it in old lady Larkfield's room! (Continues to spray plant.)
BROCKTON. (Blankly) But, I don't understand. What do you hope to gain by that?
CYRIL. (With an evil leer) This plant will emit a deadly poison that would kill a regiment. Mrs. Larkfield will breathe the poison into her lungs during the night and in the morning, she will be completely done in. Nobody will ever suspect that an innocent-looking plant like this was responsible for her demise.
BROCKTON. (Aghast) Nobody but you would ever have thought up such a dastardly act. I am convinced that you are descended from the devil himself.
CYRIL. (Greatly pleased) That is high praise indeed coming from an old criminal like you, Jerry-er, I mean Brockton. (Eyeing plant triumphantly) I'm sure I have sprayed enough of the poison on the plant. Now it is up to you to see that the plant reaches its proper destination.
BROCKTON. (Ill at ease) But suppose Miss Felicity doesn't agree with your plans? Suppose she refuses to take the plant up to Madam's room with her?
CYRIL. (Turning threateningly) In that case you'd better find a nice manhole to hide in and be sure you pull the cover well over the hole!
USE THIS SCENE TO AUDITION FOR HUGO
HUGO. Everybody is commenting on how well you look, dear Mrs. Larkfield: Just this very morning Tootsie, that's that big old wife of mine, assured me that you never have looked better.
REGINA. (Crossly) I didn't send for you to come here to listen to what your wife thinks about my physical condition, Dr. Belch.
HUGO. (Closing bag; fussily) I know that you didn’t dear lady. But Tootsie says-
REGINA. (Breaking in angrily) I say that I'm not well and I ought to know.
HUGO. (Vaguely) But, Mrs. Larkfield, this is the second time that I have examined you and I find absolutely nothing wrong with you.
REGINA. (Determined) Let me inform you, my dear Doctor, that unless you change your mind about me this will be your last visit here.
HUGO. (Bewildered) You-you mean you want me to tell you that you are ill?
REGINA. (Caustic) You are beginning to get the idea, Doctor. (Sharply) I am a very sick woman. My heart is so weak that I am apt to leave this world suddenly, and at any moment.
HUGO. (Taken aback) Why, your heart is in perfect condition.
REGINA. (Rising and in her most dictatorial manner) Never let anybody hear you say that again! (Harshly) You haven't forgotten the check I gave you this morning for five thousand dollars to be used for your hospital, have you?
HUGO. (Fawning) You are very convincing, dear lady. Since you are so anxious to have a weak heart, I see no reason why I shouldn't oblige you.
USE THIS SCENE TO AUDITION FOR DENISE
HAVE FUN GOING FOR THAT FRENCH ACCENT!
DENISE. (Anxious) How ees ze mistress now, Doctor?
HUGO. (Sullen) That Regina Larkfield is as stubborn as a mule!
DENISE. (Puzzled) You have mules for patients, too, Doctor?
HUGO. (Smiling admiringly) Did anyone ever tell you that you are a very pretty girl, Dentyne?
DENISE. (Indignant) My name, she ees Denise!
HUGO. (Curious) How come that you're not married, Denise? Haven't you got a boyfriend?
DENISE. (Pouting) Oui, I most certainly have, but so far he have not proposed to me.
HUGO. (Wreathed in smiles; jocular) Well, nobody can make a man get married if he doesn't want to. In this country, thank goodness, a man can remain single as long as he likes. That's why our country is known all over as the land of the free!
DENISE. (Scornful) Ees zat so? Well, to judge by zee looks of what some girls marry I understand why we also call zis country ze home of ze brave!
USE THIS SCENE TO AUDITION FOR GERALDINE
SHE THE ULTIMATE HYPOCHONDRIAC DRAMA QUEEN!
GERALDINE. (Moaning loudly) My rheumatism Is so bad I can hardly move my fingers.
BROCKTON. (Painful) Be thankful that you're not as bad off as I am. I have arthritis in my shoulder joints and bursitis in all of my knee joints.
GERALDINE. (Complaining) I've lost my appetite completely. I don't eat enough to keep a bird alive.
BROCKTON. (Sullen) I haven't had a meal in so long I’ve forgotten what food tastes like. I can't even keep liquids down, my stomach is so bad.
GERALDINE. (Tearful) My doctor assures me that unless I submit to a major operation I won't have more than a month.
BROCKTON. (Exploding a bomb) Two weeks ago I died! (Aside; greatly amused) Now, I want to see her top that one!
GERALDINE. (Bewildered) If you are dead, what are you doing here? You look very much alive to me.