AUDITION Wednesday 10th December 2025 at 7:00 for 7:30 pm
ARIA
by David Williamson
Directed Graham Vale
ARIA is a contemporary Australian play first produced by Ensemble Theatre Kirribilli in January this year.
It is a darkly comedic exploration of the intricate dynamics and rivalry inherent within every family.
A symphony of discord unfolds at Monique’s annual family gathering, celebrating her three beloved sons’ birthdays. While Monique’s adoration for her boys knows no bounds, disdain for their wives is palpable.
Festivities crescendo and Monique takes the spotlight with a performance of a renowned opera aria, a poignant reminder of the dreams she sacrificed to raise her brood. In her mind, she was destined for the illustrious stages of La Scala, the Met and Covent Garden.
But beneath the facade of familial harmony, dissonance brews. Have the long-suffering wives reached their boiling point?
About ARIA
(A mash of thought from director Graham Vale and extracted program note excerpts from playwright David Williamson and world premiere director Janine Watson, Ensemble Theatre 2025.)
One afternoon, a family gathering, a special event. All taking place in in the piano room of Monique’s opulent home, it plays out in real time without scene changes.
The atmosphere is charged with ego and discord as long suppressed grievances find their way to the surface.
The characters and relationships are so vivid, so recognisable and intriguingly flawed.
And very funny.
The savage social satire is grounded in an incisive vision of contemporary Australian class and social politics.
Monique is a beacon of unremitting power whose assertive dominance is a cover for deep fault lines in her relationships.
Most of us need some mild delusions about ourselves to help us through life. Monica, pivotal, more than a touch narcissistic, needs delusion to prop up her huge but fragile ego. She sacrificed her belief of international operatic stardom for the duties of motherhood.
To compensate she is convinced her three sons are nigh on perfect. So perfect that they deserve better wives and she leaves her daughters-in-law in no doubt about her feelings.
But as the events of the play unfold it becomes clear that the daughters-in-law have finally had enough.
ARIA centres four complex intelligent female roles at the heart of the story and has a wonderful time positioning them opposite deeply flawed male characters who have enjoyed immense economic privilege.
Monique is magnificently insufferable. You can’t help loving the way she indomitably refuses to be shattered but instead reshapes her delusions and soldiers on at the end of the play. (Williamson seems to hint it is almost “Trumpian” delusion).
You can inflict a flesh wound on a narcissist but like a shape shifter they rise again to haunt us.
Monique’s daughters-in-law may have won the battle but probably not the war.
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The roles
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Monique – (stage age late 60s) – an “elegant and arresting woman with a commanding almost imperial presence.”
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Charlie – (39) – The youngest son. Handsome, athletic extroverted and easy going.
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Midge – (27) – is Charlie’s second wife. Attractive and knows it and flaunts it.
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Liam – (42) – One of the twin sons. A power broking politician expecting to be NSW premier. “The warrior ever ready for battle.”
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Chrissy – (40) – Liam’s wife is a contrast – tense and contained. Angry at being here and at Monique in particular. But no shrinking violets in this gathering.
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Daniel – (42) – The other twin. But there the similarities end. Has an air of aloofness and indifference to even being here.
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Judy – (41) – Daniel’s wife has the poise of someone who does not take a backward step. She has “fought battles with Monique before and is ever prepared to recommence hostilities.”
Note on Monique’s singing:
ARIA is not a musical. Nor is it even what I would term a play with music. There will be no singing audition.
How you present Monique as a character is the only thing that matters.
How the aria itself is presented will be determined at some stage after Monique has been cast and the appropriate direction determined.
Audition Date and Time
- Audition: Wednesday 10 December 2025
- Registration from 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start.
- The Peninsula Theatre (home of Woy Woy Little Theatre), John Hoare Cl, Woy Woy 2256
- Open auditions. Everyone is welcome, no need to book. Audition pieces below.
Venue: Rehearsals and performances will be held at The Home of Woy Woy Little Theatre – The Peninsula Theatre, John Hoare Cl, Woy Woy.
Performance dates are 8th – 24th May 2026.
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Download Audition Pieces here.
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Rehearsals etc:
- Rehearsals start early February 2026. They will be every Tuesday and Thursday night from 6.45pm.
- There is also a technical rehearsal on Monday 4th May 2026.
- Play opens for three weeks from Friday 8th May 2026.
Any questions or more information please email the director c/- boxoffice@woywoylt.com.au
Look forward to seeing you at the auditions.
