Auditions & performance opportunities
We are aware that some casting websites and agents, copy our casting calls out to their clients. That is absolutely fine, but please ensure that ALL relevant information (dates, locations, rehearsals, pay/profit share, etc) are also read, shared to the clients & NOT altered or omitted in any way.
Our casting process also follows Equity policies, promoting fairness and excellence in running productions:
Manifesto for Casting | Safe Places Policy | Cast It Here | Inclusive Casting Policy | Performance for All
Our castings as laid out in this website section, are the correct official version. If you have questions, that are not answered here, please email us.
These are professional castings as stated below. We do not charge anyone to audition or get involved with us, we are strictly against "pay to play!"
Our casting process also follows Equity policies, promoting fairness and excellence in running productions:
Manifesto for Casting | Safe Places Policy | Cast It Here | Inclusive Casting Policy | Performance for All
Our castings as laid out in this website section, are the correct official version. If you have questions, that are not answered here, please email us.
These are professional castings as stated below. We do not charge anyone to audition or get involved with us, we are strictly against "pay to play!"
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When attending an audition please wear comfortable clothes, bring a pen, your diary, a comprehensive list of dates that you are not available for rehearsal or performing, and your completed audition form.
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The South Devon Players Theatre & Film Company,
is the trading name of The South Devon Players Limited; Registered at Companies House: Company number 11569166 | ||||||||
OPEN THEATRE AUDITIONS
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| virtual_season_audition_pack.pdf |
The shows open for casting are:
Sir Walters Women, by Rachel O'Neill (FULL CASTING OPEN)
This is a one-act drama about the life of Sir Walter Raleigh as he manoeuvres his status as a favourite of Elizabeth I to satisfy his political ambitions. Into the Court arrives Bess Throckmorton. They fall in love and marry in secret, to the great and lasting displeasure of the Queen. The Queen dies and the envious James I comes to power and the play ends with Sir Walter's incarceration, trial and execution
Snow, The Lost Girl, and Sir Walter's Women, are all open for audition, with a wonderful range of roles available.
Our “virtual autumn season” is a response to the Covid19 restrictions on performing venue-based theatre. While we hope very much to return to normal theatre performance by early 2021, in line with the current government guidance, we feel it very important to keep working and creating in the interim.
For the time being therefore, we have moved into cyberspace, with our actors and crew joining us on screen from their home studios; rehearsing and performing over Zoom, and then streaming the performances to a paywalled online space, where audiences all over the world can access the performance, and the cast & crew can earn equal shares of whatever is made from the online performances ticket sales.
Cast requirements - We have a full range of roles for male and female actors aged from 18 up to 70+ . Cast and crew should be familiar with how to use Zoom, inclusive of how to use supplied digital backdrops, mute and unmuting microphones/ video, and have a quiet space at home with a plain wall (or sheet hung up etc) to work with the digital backdrops, and able to follow tech cues and direction promptly and confidently.
Because these are digital performances, actors can be based anywhere in the world to work with us, with the understanding that the shows and rehearsals will be working to UK timezones. With short turnarounds, and remote working, these projects are unlikely to be suitable for beginner or unconfident actors.
How to watch - Broadcasts of the plays will be ticketed events, via a link to a hidden area of our .com website, provided to ticket buyers at the time of ticket purchase. Tickets will be sold via our website box office, linked to our ticketsource account.
Payment - Profitshare. All cast, crew and writers, will each receive an equal share of profits from the ticket sales for their project, and box office sales reports from ticketsource will be made available after the event, in the Facebook cast and crew group, for perusal. We usually provide clips to cast for showreels and demo reels when our scripts are inhouse or Shakespeare; in this case it will also be down to permission by the authors, as the script and dialogue is their intellectual property.
How to apply- Download the audition pack. Read the play breakdowns, and contact us on southdevonplayers@gmail.com for the audition sides and audition form, stating the play and the character for whom you require the sides. Please ensure that you submit your selftape by the audition deadline for that play. Castings will be decided within a week of that deadline. In the selftape, we will be looking for strong characterisation and focus, with confident and positive acting.
Sir Walters Women, by Rachel O'Neill (FULL CASTING OPEN)
This is a one-act drama about the life of Sir Walter Raleigh as he manoeuvres his status as a favourite of Elizabeth I to satisfy his political ambitions. Into the Court arrives Bess Throckmorton. They fall in love and marry in secret, to the great and lasting displeasure of the Queen. The Queen dies and the envious James I comes to power and the play ends with Sir Walter's incarceration, trial and execution
Snow, The Lost Girl, and Sir Walter's Women, are all open for audition, with a wonderful range of roles available.
Our “virtual autumn season” is a response to the Covid19 restrictions on performing venue-based theatre. While we hope very much to return to normal theatre performance by early 2021, in line with the current government guidance, we feel it very important to keep working and creating in the interim.
For the time being therefore, we have moved into cyberspace, with our actors and crew joining us on screen from their home studios; rehearsing and performing over Zoom, and then streaming the performances to a paywalled online space, where audiences all over the world can access the performance, and the cast & crew can earn equal shares of whatever is made from the online performances ticket sales.
Cast requirements - We have a full range of roles for male and female actors aged from 18 up to 70+ . Cast and crew should be familiar with how to use Zoom, inclusive of how to use supplied digital backdrops, mute and unmuting microphones/ video, and have a quiet space at home with a plain wall (or sheet hung up etc) to work with the digital backdrops, and able to follow tech cues and direction promptly and confidently.
Because these are digital performances, actors can be based anywhere in the world to work with us, with the understanding that the shows and rehearsals will be working to UK timezones. With short turnarounds, and remote working, these projects are unlikely to be suitable for beginner or unconfident actors.
How to watch - Broadcasts of the plays will be ticketed events, via a link to a hidden area of our .com website, provided to ticket buyers at the time of ticket purchase. Tickets will be sold via our website box office, linked to our ticketsource account.
Payment - Profitshare. All cast, crew and writers, will each receive an equal share of profits from the ticket sales for their project, and box office sales reports from ticketsource will be made available after the event, in the Facebook cast and crew group, for perusal. We usually provide clips to cast for showreels and demo reels when our scripts are inhouse or Shakespeare; in this case it will also be down to permission by the authors, as the script and dialogue is their intellectual property.
How to apply- Download the audition pack. Read the play breakdowns, and contact us on southdevonplayers@gmail.com for the audition sides and audition form, stating the play and the character for whom you require the sides. Please ensure that you submit your selftape by the audition deadline for that play. Castings will be decided within a week of that deadline. In the selftape, we will be looking for strong characterisation and focus, with confident and positive acting.
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE AUDITIONS:
Castings will take the form of reading and characterising excerpts from the script.
As with all our shows, all persons appearing as cast and crew for this production will be entitled to remuneration as
- equal profit share (ticket-take less venue hire cost)
- photos for portfolio use
- copies of all press in which the character is featured
- programme credit
(and anything else we find that we are able to offer)
Some roles may be combined, or an actor take on more than one
NOTES
Due to previous incidents and misunderstandings:
we need to state unequivocally that
1) All cast will need to be able to attend regular rehearsals, and to be able to learn characterisation, lines and blocking.
2) Actors will be required to wear costumes (supplied)
3) All people in the production are expected to adhere to socially acceptable behaviour at all times, and work as a member of a focussed team.
4) Cast and crew jobs are on an open-book equal-profit share basis which you can read the full details about, in the right-hand column.
5) We welcome performers of all backgrounds, regardless of gender, nationality, sexuality, religion.
Castings will take the form of reading and characterising excerpts from the script.
As with all our shows, all persons appearing as cast and crew for this production will be entitled to remuneration as
- equal profit share (ticket-take less venue hire cost)
- photos for portfolio use
- copies of all press in which the character is featured
- programme credit
(and anything else we find that we are able to offer)
Some roles may be combined, or an actor take on more than one
NOTES
Due to previous incidents and misunderstandings:
we need to state unequivocally that
1) All cast will need to be able to attend regular rehearsals, and to be able to learn characterisation, lines and blocking.
2) Actors will be required to wear costumes (supplied)
3) All people in the production are expected to adhere to socially acceptable behaviour at all times, and work as a member of a focussed team.
4) Cast and crew jobs are on an open-book equal-profit share basis which you can read the full details about, in the right-hand column.
5) We welcome performers of all backgrounds, regardless of gender, nationality, sexuality, religion.
FOREIGN WORKERS
Foreign nationals are most welcome to audition for our shows on the same basis as anyone else with the understanding that they can meet rehearsal and performance requirements; and where required for physical shows, can demonstrate that they are legally allowed to work in the UK (Government website about working in the UK).
We reserve the right to check that you are legally able to work in the UK. Please be aware that with current political changes in the UK, that eligibility to work in the UK, for European Union citizens, may alter at short notice as our government makes changes.
Foreign workers, including those working with us online, are subject to, and required to follow, UK law and production regulations, the same as the rest of our cast and crew.
FOREIGN CHILD ACTORS
Please understand that we will not accept actors who are unaccompanied minors from other countries; and that age does not permit circumvention of the law. We are becoming increasingly concerned by the high number of these illegal trafficking requests being recieved by our company over social media, from children and the parents of childen, in several foreign countries. Please be aware that any such enquires and requests from such children or their parents, will be forwarded, in full, to the National Crime Agency and AntiSlavery investigative organisations, as well as to child protection or social service organisations in the enquirers country for full investigation.
Foreign nationals are most welcome to audition for our shows on the same basis as anyone else with the understanding that they can meet rehearsal and performance requirements; and where required for physical shows, can demonstrate that they are legally allowed to work in the UK (Government website about working in the UK).
We reserve the right to check that you are legally able to work in the UK. Please be aware that with current political changes in the UK, that eligibility to work in the UK, for European Union citizens, may alter at short notice as our government makes changes.
Foreign workers, including those working with us online, are subject to, and required to follow, UK law and production regulations, the same as the rest of our cast and crew.
FOREIGN CHILD ACTORS
Please understand that we will not accept actors who are unaccompanied minors from other countries; and that age does not permit circumvention of the law. We are becoming increasingly concerned by the high number of these illegal trafficking requests being recieved by our company over social media, from children and the parents of childen, in several foreign countries. Please be aware that any such enquires and requests from such children or their parents, will be forwarded, in full, to the National Crime Agency and AntiSlavery investigative organisations, as well as to child protection or social service organisations in the enquirers country for full investigation.
What happens at our auditions, payments, etc:
_____________________________________________NOTICE: for the time being, during the Covid crisis, all auditions take place via self-tape.
______________________________________________________
Our auditions, unless otherwise stated in audition information, take the form of performing excerpts from the script (sides) readings in groups of auditionees, (sides provided at audition or in advance by request for sides), in front of a casting panel. If you are auditioning for a specific task such as a singing or dancing role, you will be asked to prepare something of a relevant genre, of your choice, to show us at the audition.
We do not accept the recitation of monologues from unrelated shows, and only in very unusual cases (eg the Covid pandemic!) do we accept video auditions.
Due to a large amount of copyright/ IP violations in the past of our work, especially scripts being passed around, and unauthorised performances including drunk "joky" ones bringing the company/ writer into disrepute as it is the company that gets blamed, we do not provide full scripts before casting.
Actors are expected to attend a minimum of 75% of all rehearsals.
Any prospective actor with any questions about the script, is welcome to ask us about those questions and answers will be descriptive.
Please be aware that we also register all our in-house scripts copyrights with ScriptVault. If someone wishes to enquire about peforming one of our scripts, they should contact us on southdevonplayers@gmail.com to arrange the licencing of performance rights.
(In non-Covid times) Auditions and rehearsals take place at our rehearsal base of Chestnut Community Centre, 1-3 Poplar Close, Brixham, Devon TQ5 0SA
EXPECTATIONS
As a professional company, we require that all actors have the ability to attend required rehearsals and performances on time, note and follow directions/ production details, the literacy to read and understand scripts, the ability to be respectful of other cast and crew, be calm & focussed in rehearsals and shows, and maintain a positive, stress-free workplace enviroment.
Actors are expected to attend a minimum of 75% of rehearsals (for the full rehearsal time) .Actors who fail to do this, are likely to be recast.
We expect our actors to aim to be among the most skilled and professionally-minded in the Southwest.
We have also had incidents where some actors have found it difficult to work with a female-led company. Please be aware that we are a female-led company, and that we feel gender has no bearing on the quality or seriousness of the work.
CASTING MINORS :
We are currently not considering any child actors. All applicants must be aged 18 or over. Any minors must have proven previous professional (not amatuer or school) experience, and must be accompanied by a parent, or legally licensed chaperone at all times, including at rehearsals, shows, and travelling to or from a rehearsal/show. We only cast minors where there is a specific role in a play that needs to be played by a child.
A minor's involvement in our productions is subject to individual licensing per child, from the local authority, and is also dependent upon the parent/ chaperone following legal guidance; including remaining with the child at all rehearsals and performances, and keeping the child in your line of sight at all times when with us. You may obtain more information about this from Torbay Council - CHILD PERFORMANCE LICENSING TORBAY (additional useful links to peruse the legal obligations further: Child Performance Legislation Advice - Children & Young Persons Act 2014 - Chaperone Service professional practice). The child is required to work to the same standards of professionalism and excellent performance as the adults, and the parent or chaperone is required to be fully familiar with, and to follow, at all times, UK law on the licencing and chaperoning of child actors.
WHEN YOU HEAR BACK
You will be informed within a stated time (usually 24 hours), if you are selected for a role.
It is only in very rare cases that we accept video auditions, and then only from people whom we already know are reliable. As a rule, we expect you to attend in person. During the Covid Pandemic, we are only accepting video auditions. When the world situation returns to normal, we will be back to our usual way of working.
PAYMENT
We do our utmost to ensure that we do our utmost to reward the team members with the show profits, from ticket sales, less venue hire.
We fundraise and work with our Supporters Trust to cover the costs of rehearsal hall, costumes, props, printing and other production expenses, so that we can pay the maximum possible to our team.
While full amounts can never be guaranteed as it is based on ticket sales numbers; the total amount, whatever it is, is equally shared among all actors and production crew, so that nobody is treated differently than any other. We have never finished a production in the "red".
At the time of payment (usually within 10 days of ticket sale monies being received from venues) we also provide the box-office sales reports from the venues, showing precise ticket sales, and how much the venue has deducted in hire for the space; to the cast and crew.
You will also receive portfolio photos of you performing or working in your crew role during the rehearsal and production process, references (upon completion of your first production), backstage light refreshments, and anything else that we find we can offer as relevant.
We are applying for funding to increase our work, including a prioritised aim of being able to offer salaries, and at such time as we find such funding, everyone will be automatically upgraded on the spot (even if mid-way through a production).
The current profit share situation is because we are self-funded from market stalls, and sponsored activities to pay for a rehearsal room, costumes, and materials, so that we can then share the ticket takes, less show venue hire only, to all our cast and crew. We are committed to rewarding our cast and crew to the very maximum of our ability.
We have a strict equal opportunities policy
WHAT WE LOOK FOR AT AUDITIONS
In your audition, we will look at several factors in deciding who gets the role. These include:
- Suitability for role and quality of audition given.
- The ability to follow direction
- Flexibility to work in different spaces with blocking adapted to that space
- The skills to read and remember a script and direction.
- Skills in clear speaking, expression, body language.
- Good social skills: how you seem to interact with others in the room.
- Pleasant, positive "can-do" attitude.
- Timekeeping (arriving on time, or communicating in advance if unavoidably delayed. We reserve the right to not audition latecomers.)
- Preparation (bringing audition forms, your pen and diary, etc)
We do take natural "audition nerves" into full account, but due to only casting for serious performers who, regardless of previous experience, share our career-based ethos, we look for a range of qualities required by anyone who seeks to be a serious performer.
We have a strict equal opportunities policy.
WHEN YOU ARE CAST IN THEATRE
The first session, for those selected as cast, will involve a mandatory getting-to-know session, for the team, along with workshops, getting measurements or any especial information relating to the roles, and stating what is expected. All cast and crew will be expected to sign contracts which will then be held by our secretary. A seated script read-through will also take place and you will have the opportunity to ask role or production questions.
Rehearsals will subsequently take place on Wednesday evenings 6.30pm- 9.30pm, and Sunday afternoons 12.30pm - 4.30pm at Chestnut Community Centre, 1-3 Poplar Close, Brixham, Devon TQ5 0SA. You are expected to attend a minimum of 75% of rehearsals involving your character, and to inform the director at once, before the start of rehearsal, if you find that you are unable to attend a rehearsal. No-showing more than once is likely to result in removal from the production, or in being cast in a smaller role.
GOOD PRACTICE
We operate to the best of our ability and knowledge, within the guidelines of good practice laid out by Equity, BECTU, Protecting Actors, and the Equality Act 2010, We regularly seek advice and guidance from same, and leading industry professionals, to ensure that we are up to date. In the case of doubt we refer our queries to same.
Link to our governance and policies page
IMPORTANT NOTE
This may seem very basic indeed but is being noted publicly after a couple of incidents over recent years:
If you are joining us in any capacity, please be aware that you will be expected to read and learn your scripted scenes, by the deadlines given, attend rehearsals on time, and to keep detailed notes on your blocking (where you are stood on stage, on stage directions), props and/or techincal notes penciled into your script. Being involved with us also requires that you have adequate literacy, and focus, to do this.
You are not joining an amdram amateur club, but a dynamic professional team of ambitious, hardworking, career-orientated people.
You will also be required to abide by the norms of socially acceptable behaviour towards other members and towards the public, failure to do so, is likely to result in instant dismissal.
If you have questions, please get in touch via email southdevonplayers@gmail.com.
_____________________________________________NOTICE: for the time being, during the Covid crisis, all auditions take place via self-tape.
______________________________________________________
Our auditions, unless otherwise stated in audition information, take the form of performing excerpts from the script (sides) readings in groups of auditionees, (sides provided at audition or in advance by request for sides), in front of a casting panel. If you are auditioning for a specific task such as a singing or dancing role, you will be asked to prepare something of a relevant genre, of your choice, to show us at the audition.
We do not accept the recitation of monologues from unrelated shows, and only in very unusual cases (eg the Covid pandemic!) do we accept video auditions.
Due to a large amount of copyright/ IP violations in the past of our work, especially scripts being passed around, and unauthorised performances including drunk "joky" ones bringing the company/ writer into disrepute as it is the company that gets blamed, we do not provide full scripts before casting.
Actors are expected to attend a minimum of 75% of all rehearsals.
Any prospective actor with any questions about the script, is welcome to ask us about those questions and answers will be descriptive.
Please be aware that we also register all our in-house scripts copyrights with ScriptVault. If someone wishes to enquire about peforming one of our scripts, they should contact us on southdevonplayers@gmail.com to arrange the licencing of performance rights.
(In non-Covid times) Auditions and rehearsals take place at our rehearsal base of Chestnut Community Centre, 1-3 Poplar Close, Brixham, Devon TQ5 0SA
EXPECTATIONS
As a professional company, we require that all actors have the ability to attend required rehearsals and performances on time, note and follow directions/ production details, the literacy to read and understand scripts, the ability to be respectful of other cast and crew, be calm & focussed in rehearsals and shows, and maintain a positive, stress-free workplace enviroment.
Actors are expected to attend a minimum of 75% of rehearsals (for the full rehearsal time) .Actors who fail to do this, are likely to be recast.
We expect our actors to aim to be among the most skilled and professionally-minded in the Southwest.
We have also had incidents where some actors have found it difficult to work with a female-led company. Please be aware that we are a female-led company, and that we feel gender has no bearing on the quality or seriousness of the work.
CASTING MINORS :
We are currently not considering any child actors. All applicants must be aged 18 or over. Any minors must have proven previous professional (not amatuer or school) experience, and must be accompanied by a parent, or legally licensed chaperone at all times, including at rehearsals, shows, and travelling to or from a rehearsal/show. We only cast minors where there is a specific role in a play that needs to be played by a child.
A minor's involvement in our productions is subject to individual licensing per child, from the local authority, and is also dependent upon the parent/ chaperone following legal guidance; including remaining with the child at all rehearsals and performances, and keeping the child in your line of sight at all times when with us. You may obtain more information about this from Torbay Council - CHILD PERFORMANCE LICENSING TORBAY (additional useful links to peruse the legal obligations further: Child Performance Legislation Advice - Children & Young Persons Act 2014 - Chaperone Service professional practice). The child is required to work to the same standards of professionalism and excellent performance as the adults, and the parent or chaperone is required to be fully familiar with, and to follow, at all times, UK law on the licencing and chaperoning of child actors.
WHEN YOU HEAR BACK
You will be informed within a stated time (usually 24 hours), if you are selected for a role.
It is only in very rare cases that we accept video auditions, and then only from people whom we already know are reliable. As a rule, we expect you to attend in person. During the Covid Pandemic, we are only accepting video auditions. When the world situation returns to normal, we will be back to our usual way of working.
PAYMENT
We do our utmost to ensure that we do our utmost to reward the team members with the show profits, from ticket sales, less venue hire.
We fundraise and work with our Supporters Trust to cover the costs of rehearsal hall, costumes, props, printing and other production expenses, so that we can pay the maximum possible to our team.
While full amounts can never be guaranteed as it is based on ticket sales numbers; the total amount, whatever it is, is equally shared among all actors and production crew, so that nobody is treated differently than any other. We have never finished a production in the "red".
At the time of payment (usually within 10 days of ticket sale monies being received from venues) we also provide the box-office sales reports from the venues, showing precise ticket sales, and how much the venue has deducted in hire for the space; to the cast and crew.
You will also receive portfolio photos of you performing or working in your crew role during the rehearsal and production process, references (upon completion of your first production), backstage light refreshments, and anything else that we find we can offer as relevant.
We are applying for funding to increase our work, including a prioritised aim of being able to offer salaries, and at such time as we find such funding, everyone will be automatically upgraded on the spot (even if mid-way through a production).
The current profit share situation is because we are self-funded from market stalls, and sponsored activities to pay for a rehearsal room, costumes, and materials, so that we can then share the ticket takes, less show venue hire only, to all our cast and crew. We are committed to rewarding our cast and crew to the very maximum of our ability.
We have a strict equal opportunities policy
WHAT WE LOOK FOR AT AUDITIONS
In your audition, we will look at several factors in deciding who gets the role. These include:
- Suitability for role and quality of audition given.
- The ability to follow direction
- Flexibility to work in different spaces with blocking adapted to that space
- The skills to read and remember a script and direction.
- Skills in clear speaking, expression, body language.
- Good social skills: how you seem to interact with others in the room.
- Pleasant, positive "can-do" attitude.
- Timekeeping (arriving on time, or communicating in advance if unavoidably delayed. We reserve the right to not audition latecomers.)
- Preparation (bringing audition forms, your pen and diary, etc)
We do take natural "audition nerves" into full account, but due to only casting for serious performers who, regardless of previous experience, share our career-based ethos, we look for a range of qualities required by anyone who seeks to be a serious performer.
We have a strict equal opportunities policy.
WHEN YOU ARE CAST IN THEATRE
The first session, for those selected as cast, will involve a mandatory getting-to-know session, for the team, along with workshops, getting measurements or any especial information relating to the roles, and stating what is expected. All cast and crew will be expected to sign contracts which will then be held by our secretary. A seated script read-through will also take place and you will have the opportunity to ask role or production questions.
Rehearsals will subsequently take place on Wednesday evenings 6.30pm- 9.30pm, and Sunday afternoons 12.30pm - 4.30pm at Chestnut Community Centre, 1-3 Poplar Close, Brixham, Devon TQ5 0SA. You are expected to attend a minimum of 75% of rehearsals involving your character, and to inform the director at once, before the start of rehearsal, if you find that you are unable to attend a rehearsal. No-showing more than once is likely to result in removal from the production, or in being cast in a smaller role.
GOOD PRACTICE
We operate to the best of our ability and knowledge, within the guidelines of good practice laid out by Equity, BECTU, Protecting Actors, and the Equality Act 2010, We regularly seek advice and guidance from same, and leading industry professionals, to ensure that we are up to date. In the case of doubt we refer our queries to same.
Link to our governance and policies page
IMPORTANT NOTE
This may seem very basic indeed but is being noted publicly after a couple of incidents over recent years:
If you are joining us in any capacity, please be aware that you will be expected to read and learn your scripted scenes, by the deadlines given, attend rehearsals on time, and to keep detailed notes on your blocking (where you are stood on stage, on stage directions), props and/or techincal notes penciled into your script. Being involved with us also requires that you have adequate literacy, and focus, to do this.
You are not joining an amdram amateur club, but a dynamic professional team of ambitious, hardworking, career-orientated people.
You will also be required to abide by the norms of socially acceptable behaviour towards other members and towards the public, failure to do so, is likely to result in instant dismissal.
If you have questions, please get in touch via email southdevonplayers@gmail.com.
