We are delighted to announce that QUADS are now auditioning for our November 2026 production of
The Doll
by Isabel Footring
Pre-Audition Get-Together
Please join us on Tuesday 2 and Thursday 4 June at Quarndon Village Hall, 7.30-9.30pm to read through the script, ask questions about the play, meet new and existing members, discuss the play – characters, storyline, staging etc. Ideas always welcome!
You will find more information about characters further down in this pack. You can audition for as many roles as you like.
Auditions
Auditions will take place from 7.30-9.30pm (approx) at Quarndon Village Hall on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 June 2026.
We hope to share casting decisions within a few days from then.
Auditions are relaxed and friendly. We sit in a circle and the director asks people to read various sections of the script (in character ideally). You are more than welcome to ask to read any part if the director hasn’t given you the opportunity.
You don’t have to read until you are ready.
A word about accents
No special accents are required except for Doll who will have a distinct Russian/Eastern European accent.
Rehearsals and performances
Rehearsals will start on Tuesday, 16 June 2026. Rehearsals are every week (until performance week) on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (7.30 – 9.30pm). They will all be in Quarndon Village Hall.
There are likely to be additional rehearsals as we get close to performance week. The production crew will issue an on-line schedule before rehearsals start and keep it updated throughout rehearsals. Please let the director or assistant directors know if you are unavailable for any rehearsals so we can plan accordingly.
WhatsApp group
We’ll have a WhatsApp group for cast and crew which will be set up after auditions are complete.
Production Team (so far)
Director : Paul Makinson peej.makinson@gmail.com
Assistant Director: Chloe Finneran
Assistant Director: Jake Soar
Sound and Lighting: Rob Snell
Set Build: Team QUADS
Social Media: Chloe Finneran
Useful link
QUADS website: https://quarndonquads.co.uk/
By the way – We normally ask cast members to join QUADS – it’s only £15 per year
Please email the director (Paul) at peej.makinson@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Show Dates:
Wednesday 18th November 2026 (Show 1)
Thursday 19th November 2026 (Show 2)
Friday 20th November 2026 (Show 3)
Saturday 21st November 2026 (Show 4)
Technical/Dress rehearsals dates (provisional):
Sunday 15th November 2026 – Technical rehearsal
Monday 16th November 2026 – Dress rehearsal
A Note from the Director
I am very excited to have the honour of directing the world premiere of The Doll by Derby playwright, Isabel Footring. This is the second world premiere QUADS has staged following on from One Night In Lockdown by Clare Snape in November 2022.
The Doll presents some interesting challenges not least in the way it will be staged. My current thinking is that it will have a “minimalist” set with the atmosphere and scenes evoked by clever use of lighting, sound, costume and acting.
I think this play gives actors a great opportunity to flex their dramatic muscles. The lead role of Vasilisa needs to be played to convince the audience of the transition from childhood to womanhood. Marfa needs to transform into Baba Yga within the same actor. Doll needs to have a believable Russian/Eastern European accent and be as quirky and eccentric as possible.
I hope to see you at the read through/get-together and auditions.
Best Wishes
Paul (Makinson)
Synopsis/plot
A dark and intriguing adaptation of a classic Russian fairy tale. Follow Vasilisa as she battles deception and the supernatural, aided only by her wits and a mysterious, magical Doll.
Sent by her cruel stepmother into the woods to get fire from the terrifying witch of Slavic legend Baba Yga, young Vasilisa is expected to meet her end. Instead, she finds that Baba Yga has very different plans for her.
Roles
The Doll is a community play with four main roles:
1 Vasilisa
2 Doll
3 Marfa/Baba Yga (played by the same actor)
4 Fedosia
The other supporting roles offer actors opportunities for doubling up and the creative use of voice
