Auditions: Saturday, 17th May 2025 from 10am

Ruby Productions: Level 1, 15 Evan Street, Penrith

 

Written by Harold Brighouse | Directed by Chris Snell

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SYNOPSIS:

1880s Salford, England, widower Henry Hobson, owner and operator of Hobson's Boots, lives with his three adult daughters, Maggie, Alice, and Vicky, in a flat attached to the shop. Miserly, dipsomaniacal and tyrannical, Henry doesn't allow his daughters to date; their sole purpose in life is to serve him and the shop - for no wages. He changes his mind about Alice and Vicky, for whom he will choose husbands although they've actually chosen the men they'd marry if they could. However, Henry won't provide them with dowries, which might be a challenge in finding them men he would consider suitable husbands. He considers Maggie far too useful to him as the overly-efficient, organised one, so doesn't intend to let her go - besides, at age 30, she's too old for any man to want anyway.

Incensed by her father's attitude, Maggie decides to show him how wrong he is about her being an unmarriageable spinster by proposing to timid Willie Mossop, the shop's poor, uneducated, illiterate boot hand, yet best bootmaker, apparently better than any bootmaker in nearby Manchester, who has known no other professional life than the shop. Despite the differences in their social classes, Maggie believes she can show her father that she can find a husband while also forcing him to treat Willie better (and by association her) in paying him decent wages, otherwise she will use her wifely influence to convince Willie to take his and her valuable services elsewhere. If their hands are forced, Maggie believes their best weapon is wealthy, Mrs. Hepworth, who said that only Willie shall ever make her boots. Maggie has even taken into consideration what affect her actions will have on her sisters' nuptials, vowing to them that all will be alright in that regard. Although she truly has no idea how her father will react, she hasn't considered Willie, who might already have his own life outside the shop. If he does agree, what effect will her plan have on him and his entire being?

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AUDITION INFORMATION

For more information, contact Chris Snell on:
chrisrose669@gmail.com

PERFORMANCE DATES

Saturday, 2nd August at 7pm

Saturday, 9th August at 2pm and 7pm

Saturday, 16th August at 2pm

PERFORMANCE LOCATION
Ruby Productions
Level 1, 15 Evan Street, Penrith

REHEARSAL INFORMATION

Rehearsals commence Saturday, 31st May 2025 at 10am read through, etc - and will be held on Saturdays (where possible).

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CHARACTERS

The original film version is available on YouTube. It would be advisable to watch this prior to auditioning to get an understanding of the characters.

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WILL MOSSOP - Male, 25 –35, Lead
Not naturally stupid but stunted mentally by a brutalised childhood. He is shy and subservient, until Maggie takes him in hand.

HOBSON - Male, 45 –60, Lead
Loud, domineering man with a fondness for alcohol. full of his own self-importance.
 

MAGGIE - Female, 25 – 35, Lead
Neat trim, capable, confident woman.

VICKY - Female, 20 – 25, Supporting
Sensible, supportive.
 

ALICE - Female, 20 –25, Supporting
Romantic, childish.

MRS. HEPWORTH - Female, 50 –60, Supporting
Wealthy, brisk, elegant woman.
 

TUBBY WADLOW - Male, 40 –60, Supporting
Grey haired, scruffy, subservient old bootmaker to Hobson’s.

JIM HEELER - Male, 35 –60, Supporting
Grocer and drinking companion to Hobson.

ALBERT PROSSER - Male, 25 –35, Supporting
Neat, shy, well-dressed but not rich, following in his solicitor father’s footsteps, Alice’s sweetheart.

FRED BEENSTOCK - Male, 25 –35, Supporting
Son of a respectable tradesman, dresses neatly, Vicky’s sweetheart.

DR. MACFARLANE - Male, 40 – 60, Supporting (only in one act)
Scottish family doctor, long suffering.

ADA FIGGINS - Female, 20 – 35, Supporting (only in one act)
Will’s jilted fiancée, rough and poorly dressed.