The Explorers Club by Nell Benjamin
It’s 1879, London. The Explorers Club is in uproar: the dashing Acting President, Lucius Fretway, wants to upset centuries of tradition by admitting a woman—the brilliant, intrepid Phyllida Spotte-Hume. Fresh from discovering a legendary Lost City, she arrives with a tribal warrior (whom she’s christened “Luigi”) in tow, intending to present him to the Queen! The club’s distinguished members, ranging from the pompous Harry Percy to the curmudgeonly Professor Sloane, are aghast at the thought of a female gracing their sacred halls. And as if that weren’t enough to stir things up, the absent bartender’s deplorable mixology skills are the talk of the town (and not in a good way).
Things grow ever more outlandish when an airship hovers precariously overhead, infuriated Irishmen storm the premises over a semantic tangle, and the Queen’s Chief Secretary threatens war. Throughout this absurd Victorian farce, each character gets moments of uproarious comedy and physical hijinks in a plot that teeters deliciously on the brink of mayhem. Actors who relish witty banter, over-the-top characters, and the chance to upend social convention will find The Explorers Club an irresistible playground. Step into these polished leather shoes—or tribal regalia—and indulge in a rollicking ensemble piece where one woman’s presence sends the entire British Empire into a tizzy!
Roles
LUCIUS FRETWAY – male 20ish to 50ish, a fretful botanist and a man of science.
PHYLLIDA SPOTTE-HUME / COUNTESS GLAMORGAN – female 20ish to 50ish, an anthropologist and her twin sister.
HARRY PERCY – male 20ish to 50ish, an intrepid explorer.
LUIGI – male any age, a NaKong tribesman (actor playing this role must be comfortable with improv and physical humor. LUIGI speaks his own language…literally).
PROFESSOR COPE – male any age, an herpetologist.
PROFESSOR SLOAN – male any age, an archeotheologist.
PROFESSOR WALLING – male any age, a zoologist.
SIR BERNARD HUMPHRIES – male 40 or older, private secretary to Queen Victoria.
BEEBE – male any age, an explorer (actor also plays the Irish Assassin).
Audition Dates
Sunday 9th Feb 2pm-5pm
Tuesday 11th Feb 7pm-9pm
Please email tim@dennisnet.com.au to let me know which date you will be auditioning for this ridiculously funny play, or to ask any questions about the production.
Rehearsals
Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7:30pm starting 13/3/2025
Sundays from the 18/5/2025
Readings
Please prepare from the readings provided here. For any other role than Lucius, Phylidda, Percy or Luigi, pick from the Lucius or Percy readings.