Armed for savage satire

THE KING of Hollywood, two mass murderers, a dying Playboy centrefold, an embittered ex-wife, a spoiled teen, guns and blood, Unity Theatre’s first show for 2018 promises to have something for everybody.

Auditions for the Dave Hall-directed production of Ben Elton’s excoriating satire, Popcorn, will be held on Sunday, 2pm-5pm.

Set in the Beverly Hills home of Oscar-winning movie director Bruce Delamitri, Popcorn is a satirical comedy thriller with the firepower of a hit squad.

When notorious killers Wayne and Scout, known in the media as the Mall Murderers, interrupt Delamitri’s introduction to former nude model and actress Brooke Daniels they want more than an autograph from their cinematic idol.

In a bid to avoid the death penalty Wayne and Scout plan to hold the filmmaker hostage and have him publicly announce his Tarantino-esque movies are responsible for their murderous spree.

Elton’s savage satire plays out themes from violence-is-cool movies from the 1990s such as Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers, and twists the conscience of the public.

The London Sunday Times has described the Laurence Olivier Award-winning play as “bloodcurdling comedy.”

“First-rate entertainment, funny, gripping and genuinely thought-provoking ...”

Audition scripts can be collected from the i-Site. Complete the online audition form.

A Unity Theatre production team member will get in touch to confirm a time for your 15-minute audition slot.

Access a free sample of the script (read only). For auditions, Hall will choose excerpts from the sample script.

Alternatively, you might decide to read from any sections of the full script. You might also like to talk about how you see the character you wish to portray.

“Unity aims to make your audition experience one that gives you the best chance to showcase yourself, within a positive, supportive environment,” Hall said.

Rehearsals are generally held two nights a week and late Sunday afternoons. Frequency might increase closer to opening night.