AUDITIONS
WHEN THE RAIN STOPS FALLING
by Andrew Bovell
Directed and designed by Chris Baldock
Season: May 8-17, 2025
Belconnen Arts Centre
This extraordinary theatrical masterpiece is one of the most acclaimed and revered Australian plays of modern times. Winner of the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award, the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award, the Victorian Green Room Award and the Sydney Theatre Award for Best New Australian Work. It was recently voted one of the top 3 Australian plays of the 21st Century via a poll of theatre professionals nationwide by ArtsHub.
Alice Springs. 2039. A fish falls from the sky – it still smells of the sea. It’s been raining for days and Gabriel York knows something is wrong. When the Rain Stops Falling unfolds like a puzzle to be solved. Told through the interconnected stories of two families over four generations: between a prediction in London 1959 and its outcome in Australia eighty years later. This intricate, multi-layered story explores betrayal, abandonment, destruction, forgiveness and love. With four generations of fathers and sons, their mothers, lovers and wives, the play is epic in its scope, yet at the same time extraordinarily intimate.
“…a gloriously written and gripping script…dramatically unpredictable and yet piercingly beautiful.” – Artshub
“A spellbinding saga.” – The Australian
“…bold and sensitive… exudes a sense of wonder and mystery…shrewd and sharp and genuinely moving.” – The Times
“An extraordinary play.” – Financial Times
Great Plays. Great Actors. Great Stories. Mockingbird Theatre is an award-winning (Canberra Critics Circle – The Laramie Project plays) Canberra-based theatre company bringing discerning audiences the best text-based 20th and 21st Century plays from around the world. Utilising the talents of Canberra’s experienced and emerging theatrical talents, Mockingbird Theatre’s mission is to move, thrill, entertain and to create theatrical magic that will touch the soul.
Rehearsals will commence late March with rehearsals Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Sundays 5pm-9pm. Please note that not all cast will be required at all times until the last few weeks of rehearsals, such is the nature of the play’s structure.
Says director Baldock “I have been wanting to direct this incredible play for over 12 years now and I am thrilled that the stars have finally aligned. Covid thwarted my last attempt and now, with the availability of the best venue in town to do it but with none of the previous cast available to be in it, it’s time to hold general auditions to see who is out there in Canberra’s talented landscape. It’s like I was being forced to wait for this moment to present my favourite Australian play. It’s a piece that works on so many levels – an intriguing saga of an Australian family told over four generations; of how the actions of one person creates a butterfly effect that has ramifications for many; of fathers and sons; of mothers and sons. It is also a wonderfully crafted mystery as we jump backwards and forwards over the decades as we witness the pieces of the puzzle fall into place which adds such a thrilling element to the play. I am so excited to be finally able to present my vision for it. Staging it in the round, it’s going to be something special.”
Available Roles (ages listed are the characters’ ages) ***PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ROLE OF Gabrielle York (Younger) HAS ALREADY BEEN CAST***:
Gabriel York – 50
Son of Gabrielle York and Gabriel Law
Elizabeth Law (Older) – 56
Married to Henry Law and mother to Gabriel Law
Elizabeth Law (Younger) – 30s
Married to Henry Law and mother to Gabriel Law
Joe Ryan – 50
Married to Gabrielle York, step father to Gabriel York.
Gabrielle York (Older) – 50
Married to Joe Ryan and mother to Gabriel York.
Gabriel Law – 28
Son of Elizabeth Law and Henry Law. Father to Gabriel York.
Henry Law – 30/40s
Married to Elizabeth Law and Gabriel Law’s father.
Andrew Price – 28
Gabriel York’s son
Please Note: It will be preferred to double up the roles of Henry Law and Gabriel York and also Gabriel Law and Andrew Price
All roles are open to actors of all races, sexes, creeds, orientations and abilities. However, acting experience is essential.
This is a profit share participation between Mockingbird, the actors and senior production members.
To book an audition and receive a script please email chris@mockingbirdtheatrics.com with current CV and headshot
Audition bookings close FEBRUARY 16
If you are successful at gaining an audition, you will be notified of potential dates and times and audition requirements. Auditions will be at Mockingbird Theatrics at the Belconnen Arts Centre.