'NOT SO NICE!' are proud to present ‘THE WITCHING HOUR’! A work in progress performance designed to showcase new writing from emerging playwrights in Scotland.
Step into the liminal space where the clock strikes thirteen and the ordinary dissolves into the uncanny. ‘The Witching Hour’ invites you to explore the eerie — the place where the veil between worlds wears thin. Step into new realms where the scriptures become unscripted, the frightening become the frightened and the paranormal becomes… normal?
This work-in-progress performance blurs reality and imagination, inviting audiences to confront darkness, both within and without. We want you to delve into the strange, the unsettling and the supernatural. Haunting narratives, veiled humour and provocative performances are all welcome. From distortions of classic characters to tales twisted beyond recognition, we want to see your boldest interpretations of the spaces between and all the creatures that dwell there.
We are seeking Actors for this scratch night.
To apply you must:
- Live in Edinburgh or be willing to travel to Edinburgh for the rehearsal (this event is unfunded so travel costs will not be reimbursed).
- Have good availability in Oct/Nov 2026 for rehearsals. You will required for around 12 hours of rehearsal. This will be scheduled around everyone's availability.
- Be confident in learning a 10-20 minute script. The performance will be off book.
- Be available all day on the 02/12/26 for the tech, dress and show.
If you fit the above criteria then we encourage you to apply! Whether you are a professional actor or have never acted before, as long as you are passionate we want to hear from you.
Production timeline:
16/10/26 - Deadline for actor's submissions.
18/10/26 - Successful actors confirmed.
Oct/Nov- Rehearsal period.
02/12/26 - 'THE WITCHING HOUR' at The Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh.
Due to this being an unfunded event, Not So Nice! are providing an equal profit share of ticket sales. This will include playwright, actors, directors, tech.
Audition Text
I'll tell you what it's saying.
Over the cities with their foul smoke and over the sea to wash our dusty feet and shake out our wings.
People aren't evil and people aren't good.
They live how they can one day at a time.
They come out of dust they go back to dust, dusty feet, no wings, and whose fault is that?
The winds are still singing.
Hear us in autumn crying down chimneys or moaning through the cracks of windows, when the rain's beating down.
Hear us in winter in forests in the snow, at sea hear us in the ship's rigging.
We learnt to howl from people, we heard them in bed sick, on the ground in a battle, we heard their pain and that's why we're wailing.
Now the waves are singing.
We rock the winds to sleep, like wet flames we burn quench make destroy, rocking them to sleep.
Look what's been washed up from wrecked ships. Rowlocks. Bailers. A lifejacket. And part of a guided-missile launcher.
Didn't I dream all that? There was a blind man and Alice and Edith. And the quarantine and the sulphur and the honours and the solicitor and Victoria and the tower and the officer... I dreamt that.
It's not real but maybe it's more than real.
It's dreaming while you're awake.
A Dream Play
By August Strindburg
In a New Version
By Caryl Churchill