ONE of Warrington's newest theatre companies is hoping to prove its worth with a play that will challenge its actors as much as the audience.

A casting call has gone out for Neoteric Theatre's production of Philip Ridley's controversial, The Pitchfork Disney.

The 1991 play is about Presley and Haley, two siblings who have been completely isolated from the outside world since the death of their parents But everything changes when they let two dangerous men into their home.

Ben Thomas, director of Neoteric Theatre, said: "It’s a really interesting play. It’s dark but it’s comical as well. The challenge of it is getting people to understand the mentality of isolation."

The former Priestley College student first came across The Pitchfork Disney after seeing a scene of it performed at Rare Studio in Liverpool. He has been keen to revisit the material since.

Ben added: "The two main characters, Presley and Haley, lock themselves away because their parents had a traumatic death.

"But because they’ve been locked away for so long they’ve never known how to grow up. They’re locked in this childhood nightmare.

"Then when they open the doors they’re opened up to the real world and it doesn’t go the way they think it would.

"Something like this is where you push actors and take them to places where they and the audience don’t feel comfortable.

"But I see it as a reality check. People have mental illnesses and these are things that do happen.

"I want this production to show what my company is capable of and that we’re not scared to go in a direction not everyone will like."

Ben and his team of 12 at Neoteric Theatre will be holding a casting call for The Pitchfork Disney on Sunday at JC Dance Academy in River Road, off Wilderspool Causeway.

Four parts are available for the intimate play which will be performed in front of around 200 people on the small stage at The Brindley in Runcorn.

Ben's previous production at The Brindley saw him come full circle when he presented A Midsummer Night's Dream – the play where it all started for him.

He was in a University Academy Warrington production of the Shakespeare play when he was 13.

Ben said: "It was never something I really wanted to do but I just went along hoping it would make me more open as I was a bit shy."

Then he attended summer schools at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and appeared in Immaculate and Spring Awakening at Priestley College.

The 19-year-old added: "That was the turning point for me and then after that I really wanted to go in that direction and I’ve not stopped since.

"I’ve been acting for six years, directing for two or three years and now I’m applying for a few schools in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool.

"It feels like it’s all happened really quickly and I can’t get my head around how far I’ve come."

ACTORS can audition for the following roles in The Pitchfork Disney

Presley Stray
A man in his mid-20s who lives with his sister Haley and has never seen the outside world. 
The character is very anxious and worried about his sister's wellbeing after his mother's mysterious death.

Haley Stray
The twin of Presley Stray who is very curious about the world on the other side of the door. She has never learnt to grow up and has never left the house since their mother died 10 years ago.

Cosmo Disney
Cosmo is a mysterious 18-year-old man. He is very commanding and a bit of a showman but he also possesses an 'angelic beauty' that most would fall for. 

Pitchfork Cavalier
A mysterious figure who is almost fully covered when he is in the play. Pitchfork is a scary figure who has a dark presence that could terrify anyone.

- To put your name down for an audition email Ben Thomas, from Neoteric Theatre, at benthomas.wba96@yahoo.com