Play name
Barefoot in the Park
By Neil Simon
Director and Contact Details
Paul Campion
Mobile no.: 07768 600419
Playing dates
Thursday, 3rd – Saturday, 12th June 2027 (including the charity night). There will be a matinee and evening performances on Saturday 5th June. No performance on Sunday, 6th June.
Rehearsal start date
Early to mid-April 2027
Get-in and Strike
Get-in Sunday, 16th May 2027; Strike Sunday, 13th June 2027
Venue
Bromley Little Theatre, Main House
Audition
Sunday, 10th January 2027 at 2.30 pm
About the play
Fresh from their honeymoon, Corrie and Paul Bratter move into their first apartment together — a New York walk-up that is exhausting to reach (it’s on the top floor), smaller, colder and far less glamorous than either imagined. Throw in an eccentric neighbour, an interfering mother-in-law, and Corrie and Paul’s very different personalities, and married life quickly becomes delightfully chaotic.
One of Neil Simon’s most famous and best-loved comedies, Barefoot in the Park is packed with sparkling wit, unforgettable characters and timeless observations about love and relationships. Funny, charming and endlessly relatable, it reminds us that the happiest marriages are not perfect — they are simply built by two people willing to laugh together.
‘As fresh and funny as ever.’ The Guardian
‘Thoroughly delightful.’ WhatsOnStage
Time
1963
Location
The top-floor apartment of a decrepit brownstone building in Greenwich Village, New York City
Style and Genre
Classic American comedy, with sharp, quick-fire dialogue.
Characters
Please note: American accents are required from all cast members except Victor. Ages stated are intended as a guide only.
CORRIE BRATTER: Mid-20s. Large role.
A vibrant, witty, romantic and impulsive free spirit who loves spontaneity and views life as a grand adventure.
PAUL BRATTER: 26. Large role.
Corrie’s new husband. At heart, he is as sharply witty and likeable as Corrie, but he values stability, order and career success. He is the grounded foil to Corrie’s wild imagination.
ETHEL BANKS: 50–60. Large role.
Corrie’s very conservative and traditional widowed mother, who finds herself unexpectedly swept off her feet by Victor.
VICTOR VELASCO: 55–65. Large role.
Corrie and Paul’s flamboyant, eccentric and bohemian neighbour, who lives in the attic space above their apartment. A smooth, charming man of the world who speaks with an exotic European accent. At one point Paul refers to him as Hungarian, but the accent need not be precise. Could possibly double with the Delivery Man.
TELEPHONE REPAIRMAN: 30–50. Medium role; appears in two scenes.
A friendly, wisecracking telephone repairman who arrives exhausted after climbing all the stairs to the top-floor apartment.
DELIVERY MAN: 60–70. Small role; one scene.
An older man who, having climbed all the stairs to the apartment, is so out of breath he cannot speak. Could possibly double with Victor.
Audition pieces
CORRIE & PAUL
1. From top of of Page 14 PAUL: “I’ve got to be in court tomorrow morning. I’ve got my first case” to Page 18 CORRIE: “No, it was supposed to be nasty. It just came out funny”
2.From top of Page 73 CORRIE: “Well how about that, Mister ‘This is going to be a fiasco tonight?” to Page 78 PAUL: “You have the fight. When you’re through, turn off the lights”
ETHEL BANKS (CORRIE’S MOTHER)
From bottom of Page 50 CORRIE: “Hello sweetheart, how are you?” to Page 55 MOTHER: “You could say I’m the cleaning woman. I’ll dust the table. Give me five dollars and I’ll leave.”
VICTOR VELASCO
From bottom of Page 36 VICTOR: “I beg your pardon. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
to Page 39 VICTOR: “Good. Bring liquor. I’ll see you tonight at ten.”
TELEPHONE REPAIRMAN
From Page 3 MAN: “Tel…telephone company” to Page 6 MAN: “Yeah? In February?”