A powerful account of lives blighted by love – or the lack of it. The play opens with the failed suicide of Hester Collyer who has deserted her husband for the charms of an ex-fighter pilot.
This means you do not have to be a member to audition for this production!
We always look forward to welcoming new members and you only need to become a member once you get cast in the production or join the Creative Team.
Friday 1st – Saturday 9th May 2026 (matinee on Saturday 2nd)
Sunday 23rd November at 3pm, Monday 24th November at 8pm and Wednesday 26th November at 8pm, all in The Little Theatre foyer.
In post-war London, Hester Collyer, the wife of an esteemed High Court judge, is found unconscious after a failed suicide attempt in her shabby Ladbroke Grove flat. The incident exposes the tumultuous affair that has upended her life — her passionate but destructive relationship with Freddie Page, a former RAF pilot struggling to adjust to civilian life.
As the day unfolds, Rattigan’s finely tuned drama reveals the aching complexity of love, desire, and emotional dependency. Hester’s marriage to the kind but distant Sir William offered comfort and security, yet her infatuation with Freddie burns with reckless intensity – a passion he cannot return in equal measure. Surrounded by neighbours and friends who each offer sympathy in their own imperfect ways, Hester must confront the painful gulf between romantic idealism and reality.
Tender, devastating, and exquisitely written, The Deep Blue Sea is, I think, Rattigan’s finest work. The characters shine with a truth that is delicious. From the passion and pathos of Hester and Freddie to the cheeky gossipy humour of Mrs Elton and the enigma that is Mr Miller through all the other roles there is something for actors to get their teeth into.
Hester Collyer (30 to 40) – Intelligent, passionate, and emotionally raw, Hester is torn between the security of her marriage and the consuming love that has driven her to despair.
Mrs Elton (mid 50s) – A well-meaning but nosy landlady whose gossip and moral judgement conceal a flicker of genuine concern for Hester.
Philip Welch (late 20s to mid 30s) – An earnest, somewhat awkward young neighbour, anxious to do the right thing but out of his depth in matters of emotion.
Ann Welch (late 20s to mid 30s) – Philip’s gentle and pragmatic wife, quietly perceptive and compassionate towards Hester’s suffering.
Mr Miller (40 to 60) – A mysterious, reserved ex-doctor struck off the register, whose kindness and understanding reveal a deep humanity beneath his guarded exterior.
William Collyer (40 to 50) – Hester’s estranged husband, a dignified High Court judge whose repressed emotion and moral decency mask his enduring love for her.
Freddie Page (late 20s to mid 30s) – A charming, impulsive former RAF pilot, living recklessly in the shadow of his wartime past and unable to return Hester’s devotion.
Jackie Jackson (late 20s to mid 30s) – Freddie’s affable and loyal friend, an uncomplicated man whose cheerful outlook offers a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil around him.
Offers for backstage roles are also most welcome.
For scripts, questions, or if you can’t make the listed audition dates, please contact Chris at chris_m_janes@hotmail.co.uk or on 07896 249867.
