You Stupid Darkness!

By Sam Steiner

Directed by Justin Hopper

Performances: Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 March 2026 2026

Audition dates 

• Sunday 23 November at 6pm
• Monday 24 November at 7pm.

If successful, you will be asked to attend a recall on Thursday 27 November at 7pm. 

AUDITION INFORMATION:

Audition pieces will be provided in advance. Familiarity with the material is encouraged, although memorisation is not required.

You Stupid Darkness! is an ensemble piece and actors will be expected to show aptitude for collaboration and teamwork.

Please contact the director, Justin Hopper at hopper.justin@gmail.com for audition pieces and any further information required.

AUDITION FORM

Please fill in the audition form here

REHEARSALS:

Rehearsals will take place, mainly at Putney Arts Theatre, over evenings and weekends from early January until the performance. Actors should expect to be called for 2 to 4 rehearsals a week. It is assumed that if you audition you are available for all the performance dates.

Actors should start familiarising themselves with the play during December and will be encouraged to get off book as early as possible during the rehearsal period.

ABOUT THE PLAY:

In a cramped, crumbling office, four volunteers spend a few hours every Tuesday night on the phone telling strangers that everything is going to be okay. As the outside world disintegrates, they teeter on the edge of their own personal catastrophes. Their hopes and fears become entangled as they try, desperately, to connect with the callers and with each other. Sam Steiner's You Stupid Darkness! is a funny, moving and profound play about the struggle for optimism and community amid the chaos of a world falling apart.

"A work of extraordinary observation and overflowing empathy... a brilliantly realised, unflinchingly truthful mid-apocalyptic comedy." The Stage

"Sam Steiner makes us beam as the world burns... his hilariously bleak show about helpline volunteers has a charming cynicism and compassion." The Guardian

An amateur production by arrangement with Nick Hern Books

CAST BREAKDOWN:

Frances (female, mid 30s to 40s)
Frances is the heavily-pregnant team leader. She’s nurturing, enthusiastic and relentlessly cheerful – sometimes exhaustingly so. She wears her optimism like a suit of armour. A caring boss trying to hold everything together.

Jon (male, 30s to 40s)
Jon is the most experienced team member. He is weary, straight-taking and protects himself with a cynical wit and banter. He is learning to play the trombone, encouraged by husband Andy.

Angie (female, 20s)
Angie is a probationer who struggles to follow the rules in her desire to connect with callers. She has a tendency to talk too much and over-share. She’s from a difficult background and there are occasional hints of loneliness and fragility.

Joey (male, playing age 17)*
Joey’s still at school, and in the office on work experience. He’s struggling with the idea of making plans for his future while the world seems to be collapsing. Initially anxious and uncertain he grows in confidence throughout the play.

*Please note the actor should be over 18.

Diversity, Inclusion & Casting Vision

PTC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We want a membership that is reflective of the diverse communities within London. We actively encourage all performers to audition for the roles which they feel best suit their skills.

Where ethnicities are not listed against the characters, we would openly encourage actors of all ethnicities to consider those roles.

COSTS

Please note that this is an amateur production. You do not need to be a member of Putney Theatre Company to audition, but actors and crew will need to become a member of Putney Theatre Company to take part in the show. That cost is currently £30 a year.

There is also a show fee of £30 which will need to be paid by all actors in the production, which goes towards the cost of putting on the show and insurance.

We encourage you to become a member of PTC anyway, even if not cast.

Our company is run by volunteers and we expect all actors cast in a production to volunteer for Front of House duties at least once a year. Our shows could not go up without our Front of House volunteers.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

PTC knows that taking part in a show can be a significant financial burden. We are committed to being as inclusive as possible. So, if you would like to discuss how we can help you, a member of the committee will be able to confidentially assist. Please enquire for more information. Rest assured, if you have requested financial assistance, it will have no bearing on whether you are cast in the show.

OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

There are always other ways to be involved in the production other than auditioning. If you would like to be a part of the production team please email hopper.justin@gmail.com

We are looking for people to get involved with the following roles:

• Props
• Costume
• Stage management
• Set builders