THIS year’s major production for the CEMA Theatre Group promises to be a cracker – now what’s needed is people to play the roles.

To that end the Theatre Group is holding auditions for Neighbourhood Watch at the Portland Arts Centre next week.

The play, by prolific dramatist Lally Katz, is principally the story of the relationship between two neighbours in suburban Melbourne – the Hungarian immigrant and World War II survivor Ana, now in her 80s, and Catherine, a 20-something middle-class Australian with a few issues of her own.

Along the way in the two-hour play, they develop a close friendship, even if it doesn’t always seem that way’

“Catherine’s life is all over the shop for a variety of reasons,” said Karl Hatton, who is directing the Portland production.

“Ana is somebody who spots that as an issue so in telling her stories about her own background both in Hungary and Australia, she really in a sense uses the stories as life lessons for Catherine, to make her think about those issues.

“By the same token Ana is someone who is eager to develop friendships and support with other people but she’s a bit of a challenge because her very nature tends to push people away.

“She can be feisty but also abrasive.”

While the play is ostensibly set in Melbourne, it also features Ana’s flashbacks to her past in both Hungary and Australia.

“In the course of the play there’s probably 19 or 20 different locations used,” Mr Hatton said.

“So the set is very simple.

“Some of the characters in the play, particularly those in smaller roles, might be people who are both in contemporary Melbourne but playing characters in Hungary in the past during World War II.

“It’s interesting in the sense it jumps backwards and forwards.”

So who should audition? Well, the net is wide.

Mr Hatton said there were seven core cast members who all had major roles, particularly the two leading women.

“Beyond those core characters, who keep reappearing through the story, there’s another 21 characters, most of who appear very briefly and some might be on stage three minutes and have two lines,” he said.

“In light of that I’ll probably end up doubling or tripling people, but that could also be an introduction for some people who might like to be in a play but are a bit apprehensive.

“It’s a good way to put your toe in the water.”

However, Mr Hatton said the biggest challenge was to cast two or three males aged from their early 20s to late 30s.

“I’m definitely looking for people in that age group who would be interested,” Mr Hatton said.

Anyone interested in auditioning can turn up at the PAC at 7pm on Monday or Wednesday or for more information contact Mr Hatton on 0497 465 775.

Before the auditions themselves Mr Hatton will explain the nature of the play.

Rehearsals were expected to begin the week of May 8, with the play itself due to be performed at the PAC between July 27 and 30.