Journey’s End
By R.C Sherrif
Directed by Grant Brennan
Audition Date: Tuesday 17th November 2026 – 7.30pm for a 8:00pm start
Callback: Thursday 19th Nov 2026 (if needed / subject to change) 7.30pm for a 8:00pm start
Location: The Pavilion Theatre, Doran Drive, Castle Hill (inside the Castle Hill Showground).
The Play
Set in the British trenches of St Quentin, France in 1918. Journey’s End sees the arrival of Second Lieutenant Raleigh who is fresh out of English public school and the newest officer of C Company. C Company, led by his old school friend, Captain Stanhope, once an accomplished cricketer now the wearied leader of the company. Raleigh’s arrival sparks discord for Stanhope as a cruel reminder of the life he left at home and the man he has become.
Aided by most trusted Officer and somewhat fraternal figure Lieutenant Osborne, aptly referred to as ‘Uncle’, Stanhope must make preparations to launch an attack against Axis trenches. A mad dash across No Man’s Land to capture a German soldier to hopefully gain intel on a suspected upcoming attack from the Germans is required per the orders received from higher up. In addition to this, Stanhope must also juggle a weakly Lieutenant Hibbert, whose claims of neuralgia are a suspected ruse to have him dismissed from the front lines. All while maintaining to young Raleigh that he is unchanged by what he has seen on the front line.
As the hours count down til their days on the front are finished and talks of German action in the air, Journey’s End tells the harrowing and sometimes comedic experience of life in the trenches.
Roles available
Captain Stanhope: The commanding officer of C Company, enduring three grueling years on the front lines. He is a respected, natural leader, but his nerves are shattered and has turned to alcohol to cope with PTSD and fear. – Age late 20’s to early 30’s
Lieutenant Osborne: Stanhope’s second-in-command and affectionately known as ‘Uncle’. He is a middle-aged former schoolmaster, and acts as a calm, wise father figure and emotional anchor for Stanhope. He takes Raleigh under his wing and guides him in Stanhopes emotional absence. – Age 30-40
Second Lieutenant Raleigh: Bright eyed and bushy tailed. Fresh out of school and elated to be joining C Company. He hero-worships Stanhope and is eager to be apart of the war on the frontline until the grim realities of trench warfare shatter his innocence. – Age 18 to early 20’s
Second Lieutenant Trotter: A middle-aged, working-class officer who is cheerful, easy-going. A larger, homely man with a rich appetite, a serious commitment to gardening and his counting down the hours until they leave the front line. His domestic focus provides a grounding, humanizing touch amid the stress of the trenches. Cockney accent required. – Age 30+
Second Lieutenant Hibbert: A younger officer, lean in build and suffering from psychological and physical strain, attempting to fake neuralgia to escape the front line. Stanhope confronts him directly, balancing harsh discipline with empathy. – Age mid 20’s
Private Mason: C Company’s faithful and polite quartermaster and cook who tries to maintain a semblance of normal meal service despite appalling conditions. – Age mid to late 20’s
The Sergeant-Major: A steady, practical military veteran who assists Stanhope in managing the enlisted men and organizing day-to-day trench defenses. Role contains physical demands that include lifting. – Age late 20’s
The Colonel: The regimental commander who orders a dangerous daylight trench raid to capture a German prisoner for intelligence. A pompus and proud man of status with a detached military pragmatism. – Age late 30’s to early 40’s
Captain Hardy: The cheerful outgoing second-in-command who hands over the dugout to Stanhope. – Age late 20’s to early 30’s (This role will be doubled with German Soldier)
German Solider: A young prisoner captured during the trench raid who is interrogated briefly before the tragic aftermath unfolds. (This role will be doubled with Captain Hardy)
Do not be disenchanted by the age of a role, that is only a guide from the script; I’m always open to interpretation!
Audition Details
Auditions will be 7:30pm for registration for an 8:00pm start. Auditionees will do some general reading to get familiar with accents and characters before being placed into scenes based on nominated roles and finally will be divided into groups, given scenes from the play to rehearse for 10-15 minutes before presenting on stage. More details to come on the night.
Prospective auditionees (particularly those auditioning for Stanhope, Raleigh or Osborne) are expected to have read the script prior to auditions. Scripts and rehearsal schedules are available on request
Call-backs (if needed) will be Thursday, 19th November 2026. Please note, this may change!
The Run
Rehearsal and Performance Information
Read through is TBC depending on casting outcome. Tentatively Thursday 26th November 2026.
Rehearsals begin January 2027. Monday and Thursday nights plus Sundays as per required.
TBC on rehearsal dates around Easter – so close to show so bear in mind but will do best to be flexible.
Previews: Monday 29th March 2027 (curtain 7.30pm) and Wednesday 31st March 2027 (curtain 8:00pm).
Performances: Every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday (curtain 8:00pm) & Sunday (curtain 4:00pm) from 2nd April to 24th April 2027
All enquiries, please contact me by email on granthebrennan@gmail.com, or text 0404 722 316, quoting your name and ‘Journey’s End’ in the subject. Please note I won’t return missed calls to unknown numbers – leave a message!
Please provide an email so I can send a script and copy of the current production/rehearsal schedule
For King and Country!
Grant Brennan
Director
Watch this space for upcoming auditions or better still why not become a member and never miss an audition notice again!