Audition Notice
Shakespeare in Love, Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall, Based on the screenplay by Marc Norman & Tom Stoppard
Directed by Claire Lewis
Musical Direction by Michael James
Movement Direction by Graham BRown
Sunday 23rd April 11am
For more information, audition pieces and to book an audition slot, please contact Claire on claire.lewis@sky.com.
Production Dates
Brighton Little Theatre 08-12 August
BOAT 17-19 August (Matinee 19th August)
Rehearsals
To begin in June, 4 sessions a week.
About the Play
Promising young playwright Will Shakespeare is plagued by debt and tormented by writer’s block – until he finds his muse in the form of passionate noblewoman, Viola de Lesseps. Their forbidden love draws many others into the drama, including Queen Elizabeth I, and inspires Will to write the greatest love story of all time: Romeo and Juliet.
This sparkling, romantic romp is a highly theatrical production bursting with energy. It has everything you’d expect from the Bard: romance, comedy, drama, thrilling stage fights, music, dancing, singing and maybe even a dog .....
Pre-Audition: We would like you to prepare a self-tape of you performing an own choice folk song, 1-2 minutes long (unaccompanied or with your own backing track) in the style of one of the characters you are reading for and send it by Thursday 20 April, to Claire (details above).
You will be taught some basic movement at the audition.
If you play a musical instrument please let Claire know. You will not be required to play your instrument at the audition.
Sword fights will be taught and choreographed by a professional fight director.
BLT actively encourages auditionees from ethnic minority communities and any of the
below parts could be played by any race.
You do not have to be a member of the company to audition, but if you are cast you must join.
Characters
Some characters will be doubled. At a later stage we will be looking for a small dog that can do some simple tricks.
Will Shakespeare A passionate poet and playwright. Brooding, charismatic, charming, with a sensitive soul. Intimacy required. Sword fights. 30s
Kit Marlowe Successful playwright. Smooth, confident and good-humoured. 30s
Viola de Lesseps A noblewoman who fiercely dreams of becoming an actor. Disguises as Thomas Kent. Plays both Romeo & Juliet. Rebellious, playful and determined. Intimacy required. 20s
Nurse Devoted servant to Viola. Knowing, kind, humorous. 40-70s
Sir Robert de Lesseps Viola’s father. Arrogant, selfish. 50-60s
Lord Wessex Insufferable, cash poor nobleman. A shameless misogynist desires Viola for her wealth. 40s
Henslowe Owner/Manager of Rose Theatre. A slippery equivocator, ripe fodder for a comedic actor. 30-60s
Fennyman Producer of plays. Ruthless loan shark with no sense of humour. Imperious & intimidating. However his enthusiasm at playing the Apothecary endears him to his fellow players and audiences alike. 40-70s
Ralph A tavern server by day and ambitious actor. Plays Juliet’s Nurse & Capulet. 40-60s
Nol Actor at The Rose. Plays Benvolio. Sword fights. 20/30s
Robin Actor at The Rose. Plays Tybalt & Lady Capulet. Sword fights. 20/30s
John Webster Street urchin aspiring to be an actor. Possesses an unsettling fondness for plays featuring pain and gore. 14
Wabash Henslowe’s tailor. Aspiring actor with a stutter. He delivers the prologue to Romeo & Juliet. 20-40s
Ned Alleyn Handsome lead actor of the Admiral’s Men. Plays Mercutio. Self-absorbed, reckless, pompous. Sword fights. 30s
Sam Young actor with the Admiral’s Men. Plays Juliet, sincerely. 16
Peter Admiral’s Men Actor. Plays Petruchio. Sword fights. 20s
Burbage Lead actor of the Chamberlain’s Men, a rival troupe, and owner of the Curtain Theatre. Hot-headed. Sword fights. 40s
Edmund Tilney Lord Chamberlain and obsequious courtier to Queen Elizabeth I. Strict & exacting. 40-60s
Queen Elizabeth I England’s shrewd monarch who loves theatre. Daunting presence. Droll, stern with a twinkle in her eye. 60s
Ensemble A host of characters: whores, guests, wardrobe mistress, dancers, flunkies, actors, heavies, servants, guards, attendants etc. Any