EVEN THESE THINGS: CALL OUT FOR COMMUNITY CAST

To feature in a brand new show at the Royal Exchange Theatre as a part of our Community Cast for EVEN THESE THINGS. We’re recruiting for 2 Community Casts, with 74 people in each cast, who’ll each perform half of the shows (X shows per cast).

EVEN THESE THINGS is a brand-new play by Rory Mullarkey. Covering three centuries, three different moments in time, it’s an epic story of Manchester and Ireland, 30 years after an IRA bomb devastated the heart of the city. EVEN THESE THINGS explores private and public histories, grief and love – and the making and re-making of our city.

This original and moving new play asks us to imagine what lies beyond disaster.

Yes! You don’t have to have been to RET or any theatre to get involved. No experience is necessary so come and give it a go!

Anyone aged 13+ is welcome to apply.

The rehearsals are:
Weekends and occasional evenings between 20 April 2026 and 9 May 2026 at the Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, M2 7DH

Tech week is:
Afternoons and evenings between 11 May 2026 and 14 May 2026

The performance dates are:
15 May – 15 June. If your audition is successful, we will assign you to either Group A or Group B. Once you have been assigned a group we will confirm what your show dates will be.

This is a voluntary opportunity, you will not be paid for your time. We will be able to cover the cost of travel to and from RET for anyone within the GMCA borough up to £10 per day. We will also provide refreshments at every session. If you have any other requirements that you might need covering, please let us know in your application.

We know that life happens and people may have prior commitments, if you’re not able to make every rehearsal but can get to most of them then please still apply.

We ask that for tech week and the performances you have good availability. You will not be expected to be at every performance across the run and if successful after auditions, you either be assigned to Group A or Group B. Once you have been assigned a group we will confirm what your show dates will be.

If we receive a large volume of applications, we may prioritise seeing those who have best availability at audition stage.

Unfortunately we will not be able to consider your application if you are not available to attend the audition dates.

This is about getting to know you, not auditioning for the X-Factor! The sessions will be really informal with James Macdonald, show Director and Katie Greennall, Associate Director, being in the room and will take place at Royal Exchange Theatre. We may ask you to read or act out a small part of the show. Don’t worry, we’ll give you the information of what you need to prepare in advance. We’ll also take your photo so we can remember everyone we’ve seen that day.

We would love to see as many people as apply for this opportunity. We want this show to really represent the city of Manchester and we’re looking for a mix of people of all ages, with a mix of backgrounds, gender identities and life experiences.  However, if we receive a large volume of applications not everyone will be shortlisted to the audition stage and would prioritise seeing individuals who had the best availability for the shows.

If you know people who want to take part, encourage them to apply for themselves. We need separate applications from everyone, so we have all the correct information.

Each member of the community cast will receive 2x free tickets for EVEN THESE THINGS.

No, this opportunity is not open to professional actors and cannot be valid for an acting CV.