Ray Cooney's "Funny Money" is a frantic farce about Henry Perkins, a mild-mannered accountant who accidentally picks up the wrong briefcase on his birthday, finding it stuffed with a fortune. Instead of going to dinner with his wife Jean, Henry assumes the money is from criminal activity and desperately tries to flee the country.
His increasingly chaotic attempts to escape are hilariously complicated by Jean's confusion, the arrival of two persistent police detectives investigating Henry's supposed death (after he's reported missing), and the unexpected appearance of the briefcase's real owner. The play is a whirlwind of mistaken identities, slamming doors, ludicrous explanations, and escalating panic as Henry tries to keep his secret and his life from completely unraveling
Farce is one of the most challenging forms of drama, and at the same time, one of the most rewarding.
If you think you would enjoy something different, please join us for the social read through to find out more!
Director: Bernard Godwin
Producer: Lucy Comlay
Social read-through: 8pm Monday 2nd June 2025
An opportunity to meet the director, members of the group and get to know the charcaters and plot before auditioning.
Please arrive from 7:45pm
Auditions: 8pm Thursday 5th June 2025
All are welcome to audition.
You will not need to prepare anything in advance.
You will be given parts of the play to read and act out on the night.
All interested actors will be asked to complete an audition form to indicate the roles they are interested in to assist the casting team.
Click here to view the audition pack for more information.
The read-through and auditions will take place at St Mary Magdalene Hall on Trinity Road, Wandsworth Common.
Character List:
Jean Perkins (F) - pretty woman, likes a drink (young/middle aged)
Henry Perkins (M) - insignificant man (young/middle aged)
Betty Johnson (F) - cheerful woman
Vic Johnson (M) - brash man with feet of clay
Bill (F/M) - taxi driver
Davenport (F/M) - bent copper
Slater (F/M) - nice copper
Passer-By (F/M) - large dutch crook (small part)
Production Dates:
7:30pm Thursday 16th October 2025
7:30pm Friday 17th October 2025
7:30pm Saturday 18th October 2025
doors open 7:00pm
Important Dates:
Rehearsals start: Monday 9th June
(8-10pm every Monday and Thursday)
Set build dates: Saturday 27th September, 4th October, 11th October
Cast are expected to attend at least 1 set build
Join the crew: If you are interested in a non-acting role and would like to be part of the production team please get in touch by emailing us This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cast: TBC
Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/magdaleneplayers
