Actors auditioning must be available for the whole rehearsal period and all performances.

Auditions: Thursday 12th November, 7pm-9pm, Sunday 15th November, 12pm-4pm and Monday 16th November, 7pm-9pm

If required, callbacks will be held on Wednesday 18th November.

Rehearsals: Monday and Thursdays 7pm-9:30pm and Sundays 2pm-6pm
Rehearsals will commence Thursday 26th November with a read-through.

Please note that there will be no rehearsals from Thursday 24th December through to Sunday 3rd January.

Production week will run from Sunday 21 February – Thursday 25 February

Season Dates:‍ 26 February - 13 March 2027

We are seeking performers from a wide range of ages, cultural, ethnic and linguistically diverse backgrounds, gender identities, body types and experiences to be part of A Child of Science. The Creative Team is open to different interpretations of the character descriptions. All auditionees will be considered for all roles.

A Child of Science is set in England and as such most character will require a British accent.

CHARACTERS

Patrick Christopher Steptoe: An English obstetrician and gynaecologist and a pioneer of fertility treatment.

Sir Robert “Bob” Edwards: a pioneering British physiologist and Nobel laureate best known for developing the revolutionary in vitro fertilisation (IVF) technique.

Jean Purdy: A British nurse, embryologist and pioneer of fertility treatment.

Margaret Sharpe: A woman seeking to be pregnant, but through all the attempts is left without a child. Married to Trevor.

Trevor Isherwood: Married to Margaret. A husband, who after many attempts is still left fatherless.

ENSEMBLE

There is the opportunity to both double cast as well as cast smaller roles enabling more acting opportunities. This will be decided upon casting.

Deborah Atkinson: Woman admitted after an illegal abortion

Nurse 1

Nurse 2

Nurse 3

Ruth Fowler Edwards: A British geneticist and the long-time wife and collaborator of Robert Edwards

Dr Sanderson: Doctor attending the Medical Research Council

Dr Willis: Doctor attending the Medical Research Council

Dr Gregory: Doctor attending the Medical Research Council

Mrs Sharpe: Margaret Sharpe’s Mother

Anne: Margaret’s friend

Sheena Steptoe: Patrick’s Wife

Mr Turner: Jean’s High School Teacher

Molly Rose: A doctor and gynaecologist and collaborator of Dr Robert Edwards.

Mike Ashwood-Smith: A PhD student studying Molecular Biology at the University College London. Mike became known for his research in cell cryogenics.

Allan Carter: Newspaper reporter

Elizabeth: One of the women in the trials of 1970

Newspaper Seller: Calls out headlines as trials begin

Carol: One of the women in the trials 1970

Nurse Annabel: Nurses who assists with the trials and also acts as an informant to reporter Allan Carter

Jennifer: One of the women in the trials 1970

Archbishop: Archbishop of 1970

Mr West: Husband of one of the women in the trials “Patient 18”

Mr McGuire: Husband of one of the women in the trials

Mr Kerr: Husband of one of the women in the trials.

Dr Gaskell: Medical Director at Oldham General Hospital who allowed Patrick and Bob to use facilities for trials.

Lesley Brown: Mother of the first IVF baby born in the world.

John Brown: Father of the first IVF baby born in the world.

Lillian Lincoln Howell: Wealth benefactor who donates financially towards the continued IVF research.

Frank: Lillian’s husband

Pope John Paul I

News Reporter

Each audition will run for approximately 10 minutes.

Auditionees are asked to prepare a 1-minute dramatic monologue. The monologue can be from film, television, theatre, or even a novel. The monologue should be memorised and you are requested to perform this with an English (any) accent.

Additionally, you will be asked to cold-read from a scene of the selected role/s you are auditioning for.