London Classic Theatre are looking for an enthusiastic, enterprising Assistant Stage Manager with good communication skills.

Tour Details: A UK & Ireland tour to first-class touring venues and middle-scale theatres, opening at Theatre Royal Winchester on 1 March 2023. Venues include: Malvern Theatres, Derby Theatre, Darlington Hippodrome, Warwick Arts Centre, Oldham Coliseum, Exeter Northcott Theatre, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, Perth Theatre, Everyman Cork, Eden Court Inverness, Eastbourne Theatres, Churchill Theatre Bromley and New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme.

ABIGAIL’S PARTY by Mike Leigh will be London Classic Theatre’s 45th national tour. We have already established an excellent reputation as one of the most organised and efficient touring companies on the No.1/middle-scale circuit and are determined to maintain the high standards we have set so far.

About the show: It was 1977, the year of skin-tight polyester, the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and Saturday Night Fever. The Sex Pistols were storming up the charts, skateboarding was the latest craze and Angela Rippon danced with Morecambe and Wise.

And at Hampstead Theatre in London, Mike Leigh and his cast were putting the finishing touches to Abigail’s Party, ferocious black comedy and landmark of twentieth century theatre.

In her suburban living room, Beverly prepares for the arrival of her guests. She and husband Laurence will play host to neighbours Angela, Tony and Sue. As the alcohol flows and the ‘nibbles’ are handed around, Mike Leigh’s ruthless, achingly funny examination of 1970s British life begins…

Abigail’s Party was premièred at the Hampstead Theatre in 1977, with the role of Beverly being immortalized by Alison Steadman. A record sixteen million people watched its broadcast as Play for Today, underlining its status as a true modern classic and national treasure.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• The main focus of the position is to assist the Stage Manager (SM).

Rehearsals

• Sourcing/making rehearsal props and props for the show.
• To set props and mark up the rehearsal room.
• To act as book cover and assist the SM with general rehearsal duties.

On tour

• Assist with the unloading of the company vehicle into the venue.
• Assist with the fit-up of the set with resident technicians, following all health and safety policies.
• To organise and set all onstage props and stage dressing.
• To prepare dressing rooms and the stage for each performance.
• To do show laundry and maintain costumes.
• Ensure set is well-maintained and kept to opening night standard.
• Assist the cast with quick changes during the performance.
• Assist with the get out of all set and properties.
• To act as book cover and be ready to operate sound and lighting as required.
• To look after the pastoral care of the acting company, communicating any issues in a timely manner.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential
• Practical ability.
• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Basic use of hand tools.

Desirable
• Prop making and maintenance.

Pay and Dates of Work
Rehearsal dates: 3 weeks from 6 February 2023. Rehearsals run Monday-Friday.
Tour Dates: 27 February to 16 July 2023 (20 weeks).
Fee details: Rehearsal fee £475pw.
Tour salary: £540pw.
Accommodation/travel for the tour arranged and paid for by the company.
Please note this is not an Equity contract. Holiday pay is included in the stated fees.
This 20-week tour is made up of a combination of 17 full-week and 3 split-week bookings.

Special Requirements
• A full, manual UK driving licence and experience of driving a van is essential.
• Working long hours, including evenings and weekends.
• To be physically capable of undertaking manual handling tasks.
• To welcome the challenge of touring to different venues and working with new people in a responsible, confident and pro-active manner.
• A London base is essential for the rehearsal period. NB: No relocation expenses are available.

Please apply with a CV and covering letter explaining your interest to Michael Cabot, Artistic Director, London Classic Theatre, Production Office, 69 Whyteleafe Hill, Whyteleafe, Surrey CR3 0AJ or email Michael directly at michael@londonclassictheatre.co.uk. For more information or an informal chat about the position, please call Michael in the LCT Production Office on 020 8402 7501. Interviews will take place during w/c 21 November.