The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon
Directed by Curt Arnold
A companion to last season’s Miss Bennett – come see what was happening downstairs at the same time!
Audition dates/time: Tuesday, August 12th and Wednesday, August 13th, 7-9pm
Show dates: November 14th through December 14th, 2025
Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30PM and Sundays at 2:00PM.
Please bring resume and headshot, if available. If you don’t have a headshot, Clague will shoot one at auditions. No appointment is necessary. You can fill out audition form onsite or from website. Please print and bring with you.
The story: In this delightful companion play to Miss Bennet, Gunderson and Melcon once again bring Austen’s beloved characters to the stage for a yuletide sequel to Pride and Prejudice. While Miss Bennet depicted the newly wed Darcys’ Christmas gathering on the ground floor of Pemberley, The Wickhams takes audiences to the downstairs servants’ quarters for that same celebration. Mrs. Reynolds, a no-nonsense housekeeper; Cassie, an eager new maid; and Brian, a lovesick footman, are bustling with preparations for holiday guests. But their work is interrupted by the midnight arrival of the definitely not-invited Mr. Wickham—Lydia’s rogue of a husband and Mr. Darcy’s sworn enemy. The Wickhams is a charming holiday tale that explores the confines of class and the generosity of forgiveness.
Characters:
MRS. REYNOLDS: (50s to 70s) The housekeeper at Pemberley. She knows all and sees all and has been on staff since Darcy was a child. A mother figure to the household.
CASSIE: (20s) The new housemaid. A village girl, an orphan who came from less than nothing. She takes her job very seriously but is sometimes maybe too eager and a bit headstrong.
LYDIA WICKHAM: (20s) Elizabeth’s sister, married to George. Flirtatious, youthful, and self-centered, but with a bright, warm, and charming personality, if sometimes a bit much. She eloped with Wickham at 15 and is now somewhat trapped in the marriage.
BRIAN: (20s) A footman. In love with technology and inventions. Sincere and earnest, perhaps a bit arrogant.
GEORGE WICKHAM: (30s) Married to Lydia. Grew up at Pemberley, son of the former steward. Once a soldier, he has been in and out of trouble (of his own
making) his whole life.
FITZWILLIAM DARCY (already cast from last year)
ELIZABETH DARCY (already cast from last year)