Till the Stars Come Down, by Beth Steel, 13th-17th April 2027
Till the Stars Come Down, by Beth Steel
13th - 17th April 2027
It’s Sylvia’s and Marek’s wedding day and her family gathers to welcome a newcomer into their midst. But as the alcohol flows and the guests hit the dancefloor, passions boil over and the limits of love are tested.
Beth Steel’s hilarious and heartbreaking portrayal of a larger-than-life family struggling to come to terms with a changing world opened at the National Theatre in January 2024 and transferred to the West End in summer 2025.
Cast Requirements:
(The play is divided into five acts. All characters appear in all acts, except Act 1 which doesn’t feature Uncle Pete or Marek, and Act 5 in which Marek doesn’t appear.)
SYLVIA Approx age: late 30s–early 40s. Line Count:241
The youngest of the three sisters. She’s marrying a Polish immigrant, who has established a successful business locally. This is her wedding day, they are in love and she trusts him. Please note that Sylvia and Marek have a sex scene and we’ll be working with an intimacy coordinator for this.
MAGGIE Approx age: 40-45 Line Count:460
The middle sister, has been married four times and is now divorced. She has moved away due to the growing feelings between her and Hazel’s husband, John. She’s mother to a 19-y-o son, Liam, who she rarely sees.
HAZEL Approx age: 40-45 Line Count:482
The eldest sister, mother to 14-y-o Leanne and 12-y-o Sarah. Like her Aunty Carol, she’s xenophobic, and refuses to let her unemployed husband, John, work for Marek.
TONY Approx age: 70 Line Count:167
The father of the bride and her two sisters. His wife, Linda, the love of his life, died quite recently, so this is a very emotional day for him, especially when his daughter decides to get married in her mother’s wedding dress. A former miner, he worked during the strike of the 80s, breaking picket lines, a ‘scab’ to his striking brother Pete who has never forgiven him. Pete and his wife, Carol, are at the wedding because Carol was Linda’s best friend. Note that he is involved in a fight with his brother and we’ll be working with a fight coordinator for this.
AUNTY CAROL Approx age: 65-70 Line Count:384
Aunt by marriage to Hazel, Maggie and Sylvia. She was their mother’s best friend and considers herself their surrogate mother. Feisty and xenophobic, she loves a drink and having fun. She’s always been close to her brother-in-law, though the relationship has never been more than platonic.
PETE Approx age: 65-70 Line Count:107
Tony’s younger brother and uncle to Hazel, Maggie and Sylvia. His wife Carol was Tony’s wife’s best friend. A former miner, he was on strike in the 1980’s miners’ dispute and has never forgiven his brother Tony for breaking picket lines. Note that he is involved in a fight with his brother and we’ll be working with a fight coordinator for this.
JOHN Approx age: 40s Line Count:165
Hazel’s husband and father of Leanne (14) and Sarah (12). He is unemployed and unhappy in his marriage. A year ago he shared a kiss with Maggie which caused Maggie to move away, before anything could develop. The wedding is the first time they’ve seen each other since. Note that this character is involved in a fight when he attacks Marek and we’ll be working with a fight coordinator for this.
LEANNE Age: 14 Line Count:99
Hazel and John’s elder daughter. A vegetarian, she worries about the future and is horrified when she sees her dad kissing her auntie Maggie, fearing this signals the end of her parents’ marriage. Having a warm friendly chat with Marek, on the spur of the moment she kisses him on the cheek and immediately regrets it, realising she’s overstepped the mark.
SARAH Age: 12 Line Count:58
Hazel and John’s younger daughter. Fascinated by science, she is bright and inquisitive and excited to be at her aunt Sylvia’s wedding.
MAREK Approx age: late 30s-early 40s Line Count:169
The bridegroom. A Polish immigrant who has established a successful building business in Nottinghamshire, he sees xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiments in Sylvia’s family, particularly her eldest sister Hazel and their Aunty Carol. Please note that Sylvia and Marek have a sex scene and we’ll be working with an intimacy coordinator for this. Also note that he is involved in a fight when he is attacked by John and we’ll be working with a fight coordinator for this.
Production team
Director: Sean Baker
Set Designer: Sarah Deboys
Wardrobe: Tracy James
Hair & Make-up: Hannah Curtis
Props: Rae Morgan
Choreographer: Emma Bolton-Luckie
Technical Director: Vacant
Lighting Designer: Vacant
Sound Designer: Vacant
Stage Manager: Vacant
DSM: Vacant
Fight Coordinator: Vacant
Intimacy Coordinator: Vacant
If you are interested in any of the vacant production roles, please contact the director, Sean Baker.
Additional Crew: The Penguin Club
Cast list
Role and Actors TBA following auditions in September 2026. To secure a slot CONTACT the director, Sean Baker, SeanBaker1@me.com
Audition dates and times: Sunday 20th September, 2pm-5pm and Monday 21st September, 7:30pm-9:30pm