1927 is casting!!

We are looking to cast an exceptional physical performer for a London season of Roots September-October 2021. 

About the Show:

Roots is a medley of rarely told ancient folk tales by anonymous authors. Tales of tyrannical ogres, magic bird's hearts and very, very fat cats are brought to life with 1927's signature fusion of handcrafted animation and storytelling, alongside a live score involving Peruvian prayer boxes, donkeys jaws, violins and musical saws.

Seamlessly synchronising live music, performance and storytelling with stunning films and animation,  Roots is a 1927 co-production with Edinburgh International Festival, HOME, Théâtre de la Ville Paris & Spoleto Festival USA. In 2019 and 2020 Roots toured to the USA, Tunisia, Australia, Chile, Germany and had UK seasons in Edinburgh, Manchester and Brighton. Having had touring plans cancelled by the pandemic this autumn we will remount the show for a London season with plans for touring in the UK and internationally in 2022 and 2023 in development.

About 1927:

1927 is a Margate based performance company that specialises in combining performance and live music with animation and film to create magical filmic theatre. The company has created 4 original theatre productions - Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea; The Animals and Children took to the Streets; Golem and Roots, alongside 2 large scale operas - The Magic Flute and Petrushka & L’Enfant et les Sortilèges.  1927’s work has been seen by over 1 million people across the UK and toured throughout the world to over 48  countries across 6 continents.  

‘Anyone interested in the theatre should see this company now.’ The Observer

 ‘It is almost impossible to impart in word the magic of 1927 show. A thrilling combination of animation, live performance, theatre and music…shows are dark and fruity, wildly inventive, fiendishly skilled and with a great sense of joy and purity’  The Telegraph

Casting Breakdown 

The performer plays a series of female and male characters including a postman, an old woman, a luckless man, a peasant girl, a teenager, and an ant. This is a speaking and physical role for a performer who identifies as female. 

  • Playing Age:     25-40

  • Height:              4.11ft – 5.ft5*

  • Voice:               Accents including RP (vintage BBC circa 1930’s style) voice, Southern American and French.

* Height is specified as this show was developed with specific performers around which the animation and costumes have been crafted, including specifically sized animated light space for the performer to be placed within.  We are therefore keen to find a similar sized performer, but there is a margin of flexibility!

Performance Style 

In 1927 shows, Performers interact with animation throughout.  Performers must therefore have the ability to bring the animated world to life as well as the ability to pick up the heightened and indeed animated style of performance. The performance takes a lot of inspiration from the animation. The detail in a 1927 show is rather painstaking, the choreography minute; every aspect of the show (live music, cued animation, text) is intimately connected.  This style of performance is not for everyone, but for the right person, this is a fantastic and indeed unique opportunity! 

The perfect performers will have:  

  • Ability to embody different characters.

  • Interesting, honed physicality on stage.

  • Excellent rhythm.

  • Lyricism and an ear for music.

  • An ensemble background.

  • Good comic timing vocally and physically.

  • Clowning experience and/or ability.

  • The ability to pick up a role quickly.

  • Good at different accents / character voices.

  • Excellent stage presence.

  • A good sense of humour.

  • Will ideally have seen 1927 or know of our work.

Working with 1927

1927 collaborates with strong, versatile performers who are committed to and enthusiastic about contemporary performance, animation and mixed media performance.

1927 works as an ensemble, both on stage and off. The performance team is comprised of 4 Performers and 2 Technicians. Performers presence is required for all get ins, technical rehearsals and get outs. For some seasons company members may be required to undertake practical workshops. At all times you will be required to act as a representative of 1927. 

Dates of Engagement 

  • Casting: w/c 19 July 2021

  • Rehearsals, London or Kent: 20-1 September 2021 *

  • London Season: 3-30 October 2021

* The Performer will be required to learn the script and be OFF-SCRIPT, BEFORE rehearsals commence – therefore there will be preparatory work and possibly some additional workshops to be undertaken in August and September in advance of rehearsals. 

Fee & Terms:

£650 per week + travel, accommodation and subsistence support for working away from home.

How to apply 

  • To apply please forward your cv and a 150 word maximum paragraph stating why you think you could play this part.  Please to not send cover letters. 

  • Please forward your application by email to 1927casting@gmail.com by midday on Friday 9 July. 

  • Auditions will take place in London during w/c 19 July 2021

  • Please only apply if you have full availability for the specified rehearsal and season dates.

Equal Opportunities

1927 is committed to promoting Equality and Diversity across all its activities. We are interested in working with staff, collaborating with artists and participants and reaching audiences who are underrepresented in the arts sector due to their socio-economic status, ethnic background or disability and we positively welcome applications for participation from these groups. 

In order to help us ensure our commitment is being properly implemented, we ask all applicants to complete an Equality and Diversity Monitoring Survey here. This is for monitoring purposes only and will be detached from your application.