Auditions

MANY HAPPY RETURNS 

A comedy by Bernard Farrell

Directed by Matthew Cousins

Auditions: Saturday 30 August from 10.00am by appointment.

Rehearsal schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.00pm, and Sundays at 2.00pm.

Season: 8 – 29 November 2025.

Copies of the script are available upon request from info@hlt.org.nz.

SYNOPSIS

It’s Christmas Eve in rural Ireland, and Irene is determined to make everything perfect. Her father is impossible, her husband is passive, and the dinner is already threatening to burn. But the anticipated return of a wealthy long-lost friend from New Zealand might be the gift that changes everything. If only everyone can just hold it together.

Many Happy Returns is a fast-paced and sharply written ensemble comedy where the wrapping paper peels away to reveal secrets, disappointments, and the kind of family tension only a holiday can produce. Just a Christmas present that nobody asked for.

ROLES

(Ages are indicative only, if you feel you may be suitable for a role you are encouraged to audition. Irish accents are required for all roles, except Amanda. Accent coaching can be provided during rehearsals.)

Matty (Male, 60s – 70s): A retired farmer who’s stubborn, set in his ways, and deeply amused by the chaos he causes. He’s sharp-tongued, irreverent, and quietly enjoys pushing everyone’s buttons, especially his daughter’s. He has no patience for sentimentality and sees through people with a disarming bluntness.

Irene (Female, late 30s – 40s): The organiser of the evening. Irene wants everything to go to plan and to impress their visiting guests. Underneath her polished surface is a simmering panic about her husband, her marriage, and about the future. She’s emotionally brittle and frequently bossy, especially toward her father, whom she loves but can’t manage.

Arthur (Male, late 30s – 40s): Irene’s husband. Jaded and sarcastic, Arthur is coasting through life, disconnected from his wife and unsure of his own direction. He uses dry humour to mask his discomfort, and while he mostly keeps quiet, when he does speak it’s usually to say something piercing or brutally honest.

Declan (Male, early 30s – 40s): Arthur’s old school friend, now returned from New Zealand with stories of business success and self-made wealth. Charming, confident, and eager to impress, Declan presents himself as the ideal guest. However, it doesn’t take long for the cracks to appear and beneath the bravado is a man full of insecurity, and a desperate need to be admired.

Amanda (Female, 20s – early 30s): Declan’s Kiwi wife. At first glance, Amanda is bubbly and slightly out of her depth, but as the evening unfolds, it becomes clear that she’s smarter and more perceptive than people assume. She tries hard to play the part of the perfect wife and guest but slowly reveals her disillusionment and uncertainty.

Gladys (Female, 60s plus): Matty’s wife and the family’s quiet moral compass. Gladys is a woman of strength, warmth, and resilience. She knows how to pick her battles and usually lets Matty’s antics wash over her, but isn’t afraid to call out his nonsense when it matters. She’s more worldly than she lets on and holds the family together with gentle pragmatism and wit.

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

This is a fast-moving and very funny play requiring pace and timing. As noted above, Irish accents are required except for Amanda who is from New Zealand. Accent coaching can be made available for this as required. It will be a lot of fun for anyone that enjoys comedy and will be a lovely crowdpleaser to end the year.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Matthew Cousins is a familiar face at Howick Little Theatre, both as a director and performer. He most recently appeared as Edgar Wallace in The Case of the Frightened Lady earlier this year, and as Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days in 2024, and directed the hit 2023 production of Agatha Christie’s A Murder is Announced. He brings a sharp comic eye, a deep love of ensemble work, and a collaborative approach to the rehearsal room. Matthew also directed Spider’s Web, another Agatha Christie play, at Dolphin in 2021.

Watch this space for details of the upcoming plays in our 2026 season, which will be announced on October 18. Meanwhile you can sign up to our emailing list to receive advance information.