Daisy Pulls It Off by Denise Deegan
About the play:
Daisy Pulls It Off is a comic parody of wholesome adventure stories, set in a 1920s English boarding school. Daisy Meredith is a poor but clever girl who wins a scholarship to the elite Grangewood School for Girls, where she overcomes snobbish prejudice, solves a mystery, and finds hidden treasure.
Production Dates: 10-26 September 2026
Rehearsals:
Begin early July, potentially Tuesdays and Thursdays 6.30-9.30pm and Sundays 10am-2pm with additional rehearsals as required. Not all actors will be required for all rehearsals; we will attempt to give you plenty of notice. This is subject to change due to availability.
Characters:
The Girls
- Daisy Meredith – The heroic, smart and underprivileged scholarship student – requires a strong actor with good comic timing and an affinity for monologues; Daisy constantly breaks the fourth wall and chats to the audience
- Trixie Martin – Daisy’s loyal, madcap best friend – requires an actor with lots of energy and wonderful comic timing
- Sybil Burlington – The snobbish, wealthy villain who seeks to get Daisy expelled – requires an actor with strong stage presence, timing and a well-practiced sneer.
- Monica Smithers – Sybil’s sidekick and fellow troublemaker – requires an actor with serious comic ability; must be able to mimic Sybil’s actions and expressions where possible
- Clare Beaumont – Head Girl and Sports Captain, a shining example of true British girlhood – must be thoroughly inspirational
- Alice Fitzpatrick – Prefect, Deputy Sports Captain and best chum of Clare – this part is written for an Irish accent, so give it your best shot
- Belinda Mathieson – A friendly student at Grangewood School; overly fond of sports
- Winnie Irving – A younger student (second year)
- Dora Johnston – A student of the Upper Fourth/ can possibly double as Winnie Irving, Mademoiselle or Dora Johnston
Staff and Others
- Miss Gibson – The strict but fair headmistress – requires a performer with authority who is comfortable doing parody and monologues
- Miss Granville – A teacher at the school – requires an actor with authority who can dominate a class full of students possibly older than her.
- Mademoiselle – The flamboyant French teacher – requires an outrageous French accent and a hysterical faint/ can possibly double as Winnie Irving, Mademoiselle or Daisy’s Mother
- Mr Scoblowski – An enigmatic Russian music teacher – requires an actor who can pull off a strong (but understandable) Russian accent and a shift demeanour.
- Mr Thompson – The mysterious gardener – only appears at the end of the play/ can double as crew/ ensemble
- Daisy’s Mother – A lovely British housewife – only appears at the start of the play/ can possibly double with Winnie Irving, Mademoiselle or Dora Johnston
- Drunken Man – Can double with Mr Thompson
- Pianist – Requires an actor who can play the piano.
No role has been pre-cast.
Audition requirements:
This will be a workshop-style audition where the whole group will operate together. I am looking for strong, disciplined stage actors with vivid imaginations ready for demanding ensemble work as committed collaborators. Gender fluid casting: all ethnicities welcomed and encouraged – aged 18+. Schoolgirls will not necessarily be played by women of schoolgirl-age (it’s called acting). ‘Posh’ British accents required, unless otherwise specified. This is meant to be a play staged by schoolgirls in the 1920s, so it is acceptable for the French, Irish and Russian accents to be overdone stereotypes. I look forward to meeting you all!
What to bring:
- a short monologue (1-2 minutes) to present what you feel are your strengths and your ability to deliver text.
- Comfortable clothing – there will be movement.
- An open mind and a cooperative attitude.
Date: Saturday 11 April 10am-12.30pm. Please leave that Saturday afternoon and/or Sunday 12 April available for call-backs if necessary.
Venue: TBC
Scripts: Available by contacting Canberra Repertory.
Online audition form coming soon.
NB. The expectation is that all cast will ensure current membership.
Audition applications are now closed for Canberra REP's production of Travelling North (11–27 June). Cast list available on production page.
Audition applications are now closed for Canberra REP's production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses (23 April–9 May). Cast list available on production page.
Audition applications are now closed for Canberra REP's production of Bedroom Farce (19 February–7 March 2026). Cast list available on production page.
