CASTING CALL – THE NOTION OF RECOMPENSE – LONDON

Description

PRODUCTION:
The Notion of Recompense
Folk Horror Stage Play

LOGLINE:
A folk horror exploring generational trauma, relationships, and myths, following Elin and a group of young people as they navigate life in a small town where folklore is part of everyday life.

LOOKING FOR:
ELIN
• Female Presenting
• Playing Age: 20s
• Thanks to a witches curse, Elin spent much of her formative years as an owl, living in the woods. The witch has recently been killed by the townsfolk, resulting in Elin turning back to a human. She now has to learn how to re-adjust to life in human society, reconnecting with old friends and flames, and her distant Father

THOMAS
• Male Presenting
• Playing Age: 20s
• Very smitten with Elin, he tries to be as supportive as possible when she returns. Golden retriever energy. Still quite caught up in the traditions of the town, unaware of their effect on him and those around him

FATHER
• Male Presenting
• Playing Age: 40s–50s
• Elin's Father. Very old school, respects and lives by the traditions that suit him best. Finds it hard to confront his emotions, and deal with the deep-ridden guilt he feels over his role in what happened to his daughter.

THADDEA
• Female Presenting
• Playing Age: Late 20s
• Older sister to Lark and Sorrel
• Old friend of Elin. She wants to be able to move past the hang ups of previous generations, but her fear and desperate need for change ultimately drags her down. She dreads the thought of ending up like her Mother.

LARK
• Female Presenting / Non-Binary
• Playing Age: 20s
• More of a "tom boy" than Thaddea, unafraid to speak her mind and all the foul language that comes with that! Lark, like her name-sake, is ready to fly the nest and leave the toxic town behind her. A good foil for Thaddea's stoicism. The hope for a new generation unafraid to actively seek change.

SORREL
• Female Presenting
• Playing Age: Late Teens
• Sorrel does not speak in the show. However, her actions at the half way point are the melting pot for the rest of the play. She is a gentle, kind-natured girl whose naivety costs her her freedom. A fragile person who is capable of great strength
when pushed.

GERTIE
• Female Presenting
• Playing Age: 60s–70s
• Part of an older generation, but sick of the nonsense of tradition - very much ahead of her time! Gertie has a bit of an attitude, and does not hold back from giving her opinion. She is proof that prior generations have tried to change things, but change can take a long time to become reality.

MADGE
• Female Presenting
• Playing Age: 60s–70s
• Gertie's sister. Much more of a traditionalist, but ultimately a gentle soul, well meaning even if it doesn't always come across that way. The heart of the community. Often baited by her sister's rantings.

THE STRANGER
• Male Presenting
• Playing Age: 20s
• Someone from a different town/village, who is discovered alone and injured. Sorrel and her family care for him, and she takes quite a shine to him. He seems sincere and charming at

first, but he quickly shows his true colours when his "masculinity" is threatened. A man who knows he is desirable and uses that to his advantage

LOCATION:
Old Red Lion Theatre, London

PERFORMANCE DATES:
13th, 14th & 15th October 2026
7:00 PM
Part of GrimFest 2026

REHEARSALS:
Late August through September and October (scheduled around cast availability)

COMPENSATION:
Profit Share