Thoroughly Modern Millie

by

Thoroughly Modern Millie had 4 performances over 17 years ago (between the 22nd of November 2006 and the 25th of November 2006)

Set in New York in 1922 “Thoroughly Modern Millie” tells the story of Millie, a girl from Kansas who comes to New York with the express purpose of transforming herself into a "Modern," a cold-hearted flapper with no time for romance or love in order to get a job, marry her boss, and have a secure life. In New York, she meets the ne'er-do-well Jimmy and the flighty Miss Dorothy, as well as the mysterious Mrs. Meers and the glamorous Muzzy and of course her boss Trevor Graydon. Needless to say, Millie's plans go awry in a quite a convoluted plot that centres on, of all things, white slavery. As with all great musicals things all work out beautifully by the finale.

“Millie” has just recently been released which is a fantastic opportunity for RDG to stage a new musical that hasn’t been staged by amateurs before. It provides some great dance numbers (including tapping typists) some fantastic character parts (including singing Chinese men) some great songs and some fab leading roles for both men and women. As well as some challenging set ideas (thank heavens for John!) As this is RDG’s 150th production there is also the opportunity for members who don’t like to sing and dance to play some small but essential supporting roles if they so wish.

Application pdf

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Original

Millie Dillmount - Louise Dangel

A young lady from Kansas City who comes to New York with the intention of becoming a “modern” and marrying her boss. However, she meets Jimmy and ends up falling for him instead. This actress must be an excellent singer able to sing in several different styles, speak in a mid-west American accent and have competent tap dancing skills! An actress that can show great range – feisty yet vulnerable – needs to show us the internal struggle of trying to resist her true feelings for Jimmy with her resolve to be a “modern” and marry Mr Graydon, as well as singing and dancing with style and panache.

Songs: Not for the Life of Me, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Not for the Life of Me tag, How the Other Half Lives, How the Other Half Lives tag, The Speed Test, The Nutty Cracker Suite, Jimmy, Forget about the Boy, I Turned the Corner, Falling in Love Reprise, Long as I’m Here with You, Gimme Gimme, The Speed Test Reprise.

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Jimmy Smith - Gareth Thomas

A charismatic charmer. Jimmy is a player who has an eye for fun and women with not a lot of commitment. This changes after meeting Millie who, much to his surprise, he falls hopelessly in love with. He has great audience appeal – bright, breezy and bouncy. This actor must be able to sing and dance (although don’t worry too much about the dancing – we’ll cope) must have a lovely relaxed and easy style to their acting, with great stage presence.

Songs: The Nutty Cracker Suite, What do I need with Love, I Turned the Corner, Falling in Love Reprise, The Speed Test Reprise.

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Miss Dorothy Brown - Hannah Bates

A sweet and innocent girl who has been brought up in a very wealthy household, consequently she doesn’t have a clue about life in the real world. Miss Dorothy’s innocence is her charm and she is in no way haughty or superior. Falls easily in love (has a wonderful pas-de-deux with Trevor Graydon) but ends up falling for Ching-Ho. This actress must be a good contrast to the more feisty Millie. Must also have a good singing voice (songs are more soprano than Millie’s) and also be able to tap dance (a little)

Songs: How the Other Half Lives, How the Other Half Lives tag, The Nutty Cracker Suite, Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life/I’m Falling in Love with Someone, Falling in Love Reprise, Ah! Sweet Mystery Reprise.

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Mr Trevor Graydon - Adam Roberts

A stuffed shirt, but dashingly handsome. He is a typical leading man. Boss of an insurance firm and the boss Millie sets her sights on marrying, although he is not very bright and oblivious to this. Falls hopelessly in love with Miss Dorothy on first sight, but is sadly this loves becomes unrequited. This actor has to be very straight laced but be aware of his clean-cut good looks. Trevor has “poseur” appeal which is part of the comedy. He is completely unaware of why he is funny! Important song is the Speed Test, which is much like Gilbert and Sullivan’s “modern major general”. He does have to dance with Miss Dorothy but this is a “ send-up” so need not be an essential skill.

Songs: The Speed Test, Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life/I’m Falling in Love with Someone, Falling in Love Reprise, Gimme Gimme Tag, The Speed Test Reprise.

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Mrs Meers - Faith Powell

A former actress turned criminal. (real name Daisy Crumpler) She utilises her acting skills by adopting the disguise of a kindly Chinese proprietress of the Hotel Priscilla when really she is selling orphaned girls for white slavery. It is important that Mrs Meers Chinese accent be good but it is essential that she thinks it’s brilliant. This role requires the actress to have excellent comedy timing and great physicality. Must be able to switch between the disguises of kindly Chinese lady to ruthless businesswoman. Works closely with Bun-Foo and Ching-Ho.

Songs: They Don’t Know, Muquin, Muquin tag.

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Ching Ho - Ian Thomas

Ching-Ho A Chinese man who works for Mrs Meers, very reluctantly, and clearly disapproves of the white slavery. His speeches are translated to the audience which adds humour to the piece. Falls in love with Miss Dorothy and they end up together at the end of the show. This role requires a versatile actor, who can master speaking and singing in Chinese! (help can be gained through audio tape provided) An essential and challenging role that requires great comedy timing.

Songs: Not for the Life of Me Reprise, Muquin, Ah! Sweet Mystery Reprise.

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Bun Foo - Roy Selfe

Ching Ho’s older brother. Can be any age. The other half of the comic Chinese double act. As above required to sing and speak in Chinese. He is the more calculating of the two. Wants to use the money Mrs Meers pays them to bring over their mother from Hong Kong. Again an essential and challenging role with great comic potential.

Songs: Not for the Life of Me Reprise, Muquin.

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Muzzy Van Hossmere - Ann Philcox

A glamorous professional singer who married a millionaire (who actually turns out to be Jimmy and Miss Dorothy’s father) It is essential that this actress is believable as a professional singer. Must have great presence whenever she appears on stage with great warmth and kindness. Also has to disguise herself as a potential customer at the Hotel Priscilla.

Songs: Only in New York, Long as I’m Here with You, The Speed Test Reprise.

Original

Miss Flannery - Frankie Godliman

Head Stenog in Trevor Graydon’s office, a jobs-worth who has little time for the new “modern” attitudes and fashions. She is older and rather old fashioned – prim and proper. This actress must again have great comedy timing, and show great delight when she breaks into song and dance with the youngsters of the office. Contrasting with her usual staid and repressed demeanour. Should be able to Tap Dance – but not essential!

Songs: The Speed Test, Forget about the Boy.

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Ruth - Helen Skinner

An actress, nasal, abrasive and quite common

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Gloria - Helen Murphy

A bit of a know it all

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Rita - Stephanie Carter

Another one of the gang, interested in having a good time

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Alice - Jenny Powell

Interested in meeting some boys!

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Cora - Vanessa Freeman

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Lucille - Emma Thompson

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Ethel Peas - Elena Odysseos

Non singing. A young actress staying in the Hotel Priscilla with Millie. Speaks in a southern accent and gets sold for white slavery in Act One

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The Pearl Lady - Vicki Thomas

Non-Speaking and non-Singing role. Jimmy's date at the Speakeasy. A sexy, beautiful dancer

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Policeman - Ben Rowland

Non-singing. Arrests Jimmy and Millie at the speakeasy. One line. Cheeky Chappie type

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George Gershwin - Keith Bollands

Non-singing. A famous guest at Muzzy's party

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Dorothy Parker - Samantha Moylan-Heydt

Non-singing. A famous guest at Muzzy's party. A prima-donna who gets Soya Sauce rubbed into her very expensive evening gown, much to her disgust.

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Rodney - Jake Wallis

Non-singing. A young guest at Muzzy's party who knows Dorothy but doesn't know he has to pretend not to

Original

Kenneth - Tom Hudson

Non-singing. Muzzy's butler

Original

Mathilde - Frankie Godliman

Non-singing. Muzzy's maid

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Daphne - Samantha Moylan-Heydt

Non-singing. Diner at the Cafe Society who is disgruntled by the behaviour of a drunk Trevor Graydon

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Dexter - Mark Humble

Non-singing. Hen pecked husband of Daphne

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New Modern - Elena Odysseos

Original

Dishwasher - Tom Hudson

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Flappers/Tappers - Annelly James

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Flappers/Tappers - Rachael Davis-Taylor

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Flappers/Tappers - Vicki Thomas

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Flappers/Tappers - Bianca Clark

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Flappers/Tappers - Karen Regent

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Flappers/Tappers - Caroline Roberts

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Office Tapper - Tony Frier

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Boys' Chorus - Tony Frier

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Boys' Chorus - Ben Rowland

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Boys' Chorus - Jake Wallis

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Boys' Chorus - Luke Stapleton

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Boys' Chorus - Stuart Guest

Original

Boys' Chorus - Tom Hudson

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Muzzy's Boys - Tony Frier

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Muzzy's Boys - Ben Rowland

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Muzzy's Boys - Jake Wallis

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Muzzy's Boys - Luke Stapleton

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The Letch - Luke Stapleton

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Flappers/Tappers - Gemma Murphy

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Flappers/Tappers - Rachel Price

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Office Tapper/Boys' Chorus/Muzzy's Boys - Chris Knights

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Director - Carolyn Floyd

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Musical Director - Paul Henry

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Set Design and Construction - John Godliman

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Stage Manager - Liz Thomas

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Choreography - Carolyn Floyd

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Production Manager - John Godliman

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Stage Manager (assistant) - Clare Pinnock

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Lighting - Jonathan Miller

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Lighting Design - Jonathan Miller

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Lighting Design - Bill Payne

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Back Stage Crew - John Godliman

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Back Stage Crew - Michelle Blake

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Back Stage Crew - Nicola Anderson

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Back Stage Crew - Marc Anderson

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Back Stage Crew - Alan Dudley

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Set Construction (Assisted) - Christine Bates

Original

Set Construction (Assisted) - Nick Lund

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Set Construction (Assisted) - Anne Nunn

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Set Construction (Assisted) - Dennis Philcox

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Set Construction (Assisted) - Ann Philcox

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Set Construction (Assisted) - Clare Pinnock

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Set Construction - Adam Roberts

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Set Construction (Assisted) - Linda Russell

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Set Construction (Assisted) - Ian Thomas

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Set Construction (Assisted) - Liz Thomas

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Sound - Paul Skinner

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Sound and Special Effects - Ian Santry

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Wardrobe - Helen Murphy

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Dresser - Emma Dudley

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Box Office Manager - Keith Bollands

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Front of House Manager - Jill Payne

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Photography - Alan Bostock (www.photoeyes.biz)