Auditions
September 7 and 8, 2025
St. Anne's Music & Drama Society's 62nd production
Trial by Jury & H.M.S. Pinafore
by Gilbert and Sullivan
Show dates: Jan 30, 31, Feb 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 2026
Those auditioning will be required to prepare a song from Gilbert & Sullivan, musical theatre, or opera (sung in English), and to read through some dialogue from the show that will be provided based on the role(s) for which are being auditioned. An accompanist will be provided.
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NB: those auditioning for Josephine, Buttercup, Ralph, Sir Joseph and/or the Judge will have specific pieces to prepare.
This is a non-equity show with full orchestra. MADS encourages performers of all ethnicities and ages to apply. Chorus rehearsals are mostly on Monday evenings and lead rehearsals are mostly on Sunday afternoons. Leads must be available for both (occasionally). Shows and rehearsals take place in the Parish Hall of St. Anne’s Anglican Church at 651 Dufferin Street, Toronto.
To book an audition or for further information, please use our contact form.
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Sunday, September 7th auditions from 1:00 to 4:30pm
Monday, September 8th auditions from 8:30 to 10:00pm
Sunday, September 14th call-backs or further auditions if necessary​
“H.M.S. PINAFORE” – CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
With thanks to the Utah Shakespeare Festival
The Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Porter, KCB: (comic baritone) A pompous naval commander with absolutely no seagoing experience, Sir Joseph is the first lord of the admiralty. He explains exactly how he came to his position in his song “When I Was a Lad.” Please prepare a G&S patter song for the audition.
Captain Corcoran: (baritone) The captain of the H.M.S. Pinafore, Corcoran is proud of the fact that he “hardly ever” gets seasick. He is also delighted at the prospect of getting his daughter Josephine married to Sir Joseph.
Tom Tucker: (spoken) Midshipman, A young officer in training. Will be assigned one or two solo lines.
Ralph Rakestraw: (tenor) An able seaman who is secretly in love with Josephine, Ralph is thought to be a poorly schooled, common sailor; but he has the vocabulary of an Oxford Don. Please prepare “A maiden fair to see” and a verse from “Refrain, audacious tar” for the audition.
Dick Deadeye: (baritone) As ugly as his name implies, Dick Deadeye is a fellow crew member who tries to sabotage Ralph’s happiness.
Bill Bobstay: (bass-baritone) Boatswain’s mate
Bob Becket: (bass) Carpenter’s mate (must have a low E (E2)).
Josephine: (soprano) Captain Corcoran’s daughter, Josephine, is being sought in marriage by Sir Joseph but secretly loves Ralph. Please prepare “The hours creep on apace” and have another aria ready for the audition.
Hebe: (mezzo-soprano/contralto) Sir Joseph’s first cousin who would very much like to “sooth and comfort” Sir Joseph’s declining days.
Mrs. Cripps: (mezzo-soprano/contralto) Also known as Little Buttercup, Mrs. Cripps is a Portsmouth bumboat woman who has designs on Captain Corcoran. Please prepare the recit and song “I’m called Little Buttercup” as well as recit 2a for the audition.
“TRIAL BY JURY” – CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
With thanks to EBSCO
(Take the positive motives ascribed to the characters with a grain of salt)
The Learned Judge: (comic baritone) An eminent jurist who rose to the top of his profession by first wooing, then jilting a rich attorney's elderly, ugly daughter. A good judge of beauty, he ends the case by offering to marry the plaintiff. Please prepare a G&S patter song for the audition.
The Plaintiff (Angelina): (soprano) A young woman suing Edwin for breach of promise. She wins the love of the jury and the Judge, whom she accepts in lieu of Edwin.
The Defendant (Edwin): (tenor) A fickle lover who would be glad to marry Angelina if it would not deprive so many other girls of happiness. He would marry her today if he could marry another (Ann Other) tomorrow. The jury considers him a monster.
The Usher: (bass) A conscientious, though somewhat hidebound and clueless, instructor of the jury. He urges the jurors to be free from all bias, to listen to the Plaintiff with sympathy, and to pay no attention to anything the vile Defendant says.
The Foreman of the Jury: (baritone) A tender-hearted man who wishes to be like a father to the Plaintiff. He offers his manly bosom for her to recline on if she feels faint.
The Counsel for the Plaintiff: (tenor/baritone) A sympathetic lawyer. He, too, offers his bosom for her to recline on. He is horrified at the Defendant's proposal of plural marriages, for to marry two wives at a time is “Burglaree.”
The First Bridesmaid: (spoken) A young woman who captivates the Judge before the Plaintiff appears. Solo spoken line: “Take, oh maid, these posies: Tho’ thy beauty rare, shame the blushing roses - They are passing fair”.
Miss Ann Other: (spoken) The newest young woman to capture Edwin’s affection. Will be assigned one or two solo lines.​