CASTING
We are casting for A Taste Of Honey By Shelagh Delaney
As this is a porfit share production we are ideally looking for actors based in Salford and Greater Manchester area
If you are interested in being considered for an audition, please apply by emailing your spotlight link CV & photo to Roni info@salfordartstheatre.com with a subject heading of the role you are submitting for.
Production Company: Salford Arts Theatre
Director: Roni Ellis
In Person Auditions/Location: March at Salford Arts Theatre
Rehearsals: May at Salford Arts Theatre
Performances: Wednesday 27th May - Sunday 31st May
Profit Share Opportunity: expenses set fee £300 plus profit share
ROLES WE ARE CASTING
A TASTE OF HONEY
By Shelagh Delaney
Setting: Working-class Salford, late 1950s
Tone: Gritty realism with sharp humor, emotional intimacy, and social tension
JO
Gender: Female
Playing age: 15-17
Accent: Salford / Greater Manchester (Lancashire-influenced)
Role Size: Lead
Description: Sharp, observant, emotionally guarded but deeply sensitive. Bright and artistically inclined, yet hardened by neglect and instability. Moves from rebellious detachment to fragile hope to disillusionment.
Key Traits: Witty defensive humor; restless intelligence; emotional depth beneath bravado.
Actor Needs: Strong dramatic range and naturalistic acting style. Must carry the emotional arc of the play.
HELEN
Gender: Female
Playing Age: 35–45
Role Size: Lead
Description: Jo’s mother. Brash, flirtatious, self-preserving, often irresponsible. Masks insecurity with charm and bravado. Their relationship is combative but rooted in complicated love.
Key Traits: Big personality; sharp comic timing; emotional avoidance masking vulnerability.
Actor Needs: Strong presence and comedic instincts with the ability to pivot into emotional truth.
GEOFF
Gender: Male
Playing Age: 20–25
Role Size: Major Supporting
Description: A gentle, kind art student. Openly gay and nurturing. Provides stability and emotional warmth Jo has never had.
Key Traits: Soft-spoken strength; empathy; quiet resilience.
Actor Needs: Subtle, grounded performance. Sincerity and emotional intelligence essential.
JIMMY (THE SAILOR)
Gender: Male
Playing Age: 20–30
Appearance: Black British
Role Size: Supporting
Description: Charming, playful, romantic but transient. Represents escape and possibility for Jo, but also impermanence.
Key Traits: Charisma; warmth; underlying sadness.
Actor Needs: Natural charm and strong chemistry with Jo.
PETER
Gender: Male
Playing Age : 30- 40
Role Size: Supporting
Description: Helen’s wealthy, brash lover. Loud, entitled, crude, and controlling. Represents class aspiration and moral ugliness.
Key Traits: Bombastic; status-driven; emotionally insensitive.
Actor Needs: Big personality with grounded menace.
Casting Notes
Strong regional dialect (Salford specificity preferred over generic Northern).
Naturalistic acting style essential.
Chemistry between Jo & Helen and Jo & Geoff is critical.
Sensitive handling of themes including race, sexuality, poverty, and teen pregnancy.
Actors should be comfortable with emotionally intimate material.
We are committed to inclusive casting practices, actively seeking diverse talent across race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, age, and socioeconomic background for every role, unless explicitly required by the narrative.