Steph Connell Productions Presents
The Entertainer 
by Hamzeh Al Hussien, Lindsay Rodden & Amy Golding 

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Co-commissioned by Liverpool Arab Arts Festival

Supported by Adopt a Playwright, Shubbak, Live Theatre and Arts Council England.

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After his acting debut in Snow White, Nizar discovers that panto is just for Christmas and there aren’t many theatre auditions when you’re four-foot-eight. How can he support his loved ones back home when the wolves are at the door?

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Nizar joins fellow actor Alex on the night-time party circuit, for a rollercoaster tour of the bright lights and dark corners of modern Britain.

Inspired by real events, The Entertainer is a funny, tender and at times toe-curling journey into the hidden world of British entertainment.

 

A road-trip movie of a play, it paints a portrait of the UK through the eyes of someone new to the country and under five foot tall: the culture, the camaraderie, and the morning after.

 

From the team that brought you the award-winning tour de force PENGUIN, THE ENTERTAINER explores the line between empowerment and exploitation, as we follow Nizar on a quest for independence, joy, dignity and a bloody brilliant good night out.

 

Praise for Penguin: 

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"An extraordinary tale, told with beautiful simplicity" Disability Arts Online 

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"Uplifting tale of finding self-acceptance and joy" The Stage ****

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"An extraordinary solo show" The Scotsman **** 

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Hamzeh Al Hussien - Best Newcomer for PENGUIN, North East Culture Awards 2023

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Creative Team 

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Performer and Writer - Hamzeh Al Hussien 

Writer and Director - Amy Golding 

Writer and Dramaturg - Lindsay Rodden 

AV & Lighting Design - Si Cole 

Produced by Steph Connell Productions 

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CASTING CALL OUT

 

We are casting for a male short stature actor to play ALEX alongside Hamzeh Al Hussien in his new play The Entertainer, which will premiere at Live Theatre in Newcastle followed by a UK tour in June/July 2027.  

 

The Entertainer is a two act, two hander play about a friendship between two actors, it is filled with humour, pathos and drama. 

 

ALEX: (25-45) Northern British male, short in stature, clever, funny, charming, can be rude and abrasive, has dry humour. He dreams of being a classical actor.

 

Desired skills: 

 

• Physical comedy / clowning 

• Working with script (new writing) 

• Dance skills (clubbing not contemporary!)

• Some confidence with Shakespeare (Alex delivers one Shakespeare monologue) 

 

We would love to invite actors to a workshop and casting session on 5th or 6th November 2026. 

 

Key Information

 

Locations: 

 

Castings, R & D Week, Rehearsals and Tech will happen in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

 

A rehearsed reading will happen in London as part of Shubbak Festival . 

 

The production will then tour to theatres in: Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Stockton, Leeds, and Hull. 

 

 

Dates: 

 

You must be available for the following dates: 

 

• Castings - 5th / 6th November (you would just be invited to one of these days) 

• Research and Development ( R & D) week - 25th - 30th January 2027 

• Rehearsals 10th - 28th May 2027 

• Rehearsed Reading at Shubbak - 29th-30th May 2027 (exact date TBC)

• Tech and Production week - 7th June - 12th June 2027 

• UK Tour - 16th June - 16th July 2027

 

Fees:

 

• £50 stipend towards your costs to attend the casting 

• £800 per week for R & D and rehearsals 

• £800 per week for tour/ £250 a day for shorter weeks

• All accommodation, travel and subsistence will be covered for rehearsals for actors based outside the north east. 

• All accommodation and travel for the tour will be covered plus subsistence 

 

Access: 

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If you are invited to the castings, we will send out an access form for you to complete. If you need assistance with this do let us know. We will do all we can to make sure any access requirements are in place to make sure you are able to fully participate in the castings and the production if you are cast. If you need any support with access to apply for the casting, please do get in touch. 

 

To apply to audition please send us the following to steph@stephconnell.co.uk by midnight on Wednesday 21st October:

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1.  A self tape (this can be filmed on a phone) with a short introduction to yourself, a little about your experience and a reading of an extract from the script. You can find the extract here. Please make the video no longer than 3 mins. If you can send a link to the film on a google drive or youtube or vimeo rather than the file itself that is preferable. Thanks! 

2. Your acting CV or Spotlight profile.

 

If you are invited to the castings you won’t need to prepare anything, you will be asked to read some dialogue ( which we can send to you in advance) and take part in some discussions and improvisations with Hamzeh as well as participate in a physical workshop. 

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