FAQ

The Questions

• How do I join?
• What are your next plays?
• What will it cost me?
• What kind of plays do you do?
• Where do you perform?
• Where do you rehearse?
• I work during the day, is that a problem?
• How much will you pay me?
• Do I have to act to be involved?
• I want to audition. Do I need to register or prepare anything?
• When is the next newcomers meeting?
• When are the next auditions?
• What are newcomers meetings?

How Do I Join?

Just turn up to audition. If you get cast then you're in! If not then your details will be kept on our mailing list records and we will contact you when the next auditions come around. KDC is committed to being open to all, so it costs nothing to audition and every season new faces end up taking leading roles. There's no precasting or hanging around trying to get known. To use a fabulous Hi-Di-Hi analogy: one minute you're Peggy, next minute you're a Yellowcoat!

What are your next plays?

See our front page.

What will it cost me?

It costs nothing to audition or be on our mailing list. If you get cast for a play then you pay a subscription for that season. Currently this stands at £70 or £35 for concessions. Techies and other non-luvvie roles get to come play for free, and lavished with free pints from grateful cast every night.

What kind of plays do you do?

A wide range! Other than our special 70th Birthday anniversary season in Winter 2009 (more details on the home page), we aren't out to promote a particular genre or writer. Directors are invited to pitch between 2-3 shows and from their suggestions we choose a season. Recently we have done plays by Shakespeare, John Guare, Neil Simon, Peter Shaffer and Willy Russell.

Where do you perform?

We don't have our own theatre so we perform in a range of fringe venues such as the Tabard Theatre, the Barons Court Theatre and the Diorama Arts Centre. There is more information in the Directing page.

Where do you rehearse?

On Mondays and Wednesdays we rehearse from 7-9:30pm at various central locations in London. Then on Sunday we rehearse at the Artillery Arms pub in Old Street. We have 2 slots there, from 12 till 4 or from 4 till 8. See our map to see our regular rehearsal venues.

I work during the day, is that a problem?

Absolutely not. All too few of our actors and directors are independently wealthy and able to lounge around during the day. For the rest of us - ain't nothing going on but the rent! So we rehearse in the evenings and at weekends and we are always tolerant of work commitments.

How much will you pay me?

Yeah - nice one! You're serious? Well then to be brutally frank, nothing at all. There is no profit share. Our aim is to break even and any profits go back to KDC for future use. But on the other hand can you put a price on a wonderful experience and making new friends? When you've got friends and neighbours you're the richest man in town!

Do I have to act to be involved?

If you have always fancied messing around with lights, designing set or costumes, stage managing, buying rounds or you're just willing to lend a hand in general then please get in touch!

I want to audition. Do I need to register or prepare anything?

We've tried to make the audition process as easy as possible, so:

• There's no need to register or tell anyone you're coming beforehand. Just turn up and you can audition on the night!
• Unless the audition notice specifically says so, you do not need to prepare anything for the auditions. If you are recalled, you may be asked to prepare something for the recalls.

Check our Auditions page for further details.

When is the next newcomers meeting?

Newcomers meetings are held after a short break from our performances at the end of each season. This break is usually around a month, but can be a couple of weeks shorter or longer. Generally, our winter season meeting is around September, our spring season meeting around late January/early February and our summer season newcomers around May.

When are the next auditions?

Auditions for full-length plays usually take place the week after newcomers meetings (see above). Further auditions (for one-act plays etc) will probably happen the week after, but these dates can change. Check our Auditions page for details of forthcoming auditions, and sign up to our mailing list to get announcements as they come out.

What are newcomers meetings?

The newcomers meetings are a chance to learn all about the company, the committee and most importantly the shows we produce. Find out what's going on in the forthcoming season and how to get involved. The directors will be there to unveil the season's productions and to tell you more about the upcoming auditions. Learn more about technical and backstage opportunities, and the social activities for the season. Once we've done our spiel, you get to schmooze and chat with directors, committee and newcomers alike!