Shakespeare in Love
The read-through for Shakespeare in Love will take place at the theatre on Sunday 31st May at 7.30pm.
Auditions will take place at Coventry Vision Hub (33-35 Earlsdon Avenue South) as follows:
|
Wednesday 3rd June |
7.30pm-9.30pm |
Boston Lodge |
|
Friday 5th June |
7.30pm-9.30pm |
Boston Lodge |
|
Sunday 7th June |
2.30pm-4.30pm |
Boston Lodge |
|
Monday 8thJune |
7.30pm-9.30pm |
Mary Beale Room |
Additional audition dates can be arranged.
There is plenty of car parking. Boston Lodge is the large, older building on the car park. The Mary Beale Room is round the back, accessed by the path on the left as you look at the buildings.
We will learn a song at the start of the auditions and then move on to paired or group readings. If there is a particular part you are interested in, please let me know (discreetly or otherwise) at the start of the audition, or at the read-through.
I am particularly keen to learn of anyone who is able to play an instrument to a reasonable standard (a portable one, please). If you can, please bring it to the audition with a little something prepared.
This is a large ensemble production with a lot of fun parts. In the cast list I have given indicative ages, but they’re not set in stone. Most actors will be on stage the whole time in various roles and helping to move between scenes – even actor with relatively few lines will have a lot to do.
|
Character |
Notes |
Playing Age/Gender |
|
William Shakespeare |
Poet & Playwright, plays Romeo |
25-35, M |
|
Viola de Lesseps |
Well-moneyed daughter of a merchant, bright. Disguises herself as actor Thomas Kent, rehearses Romeo, plays Juliet |
20-30, F |
|
Henslowe |
Owner and manager of the Rose Theatre |
40+, M |
|
Kit Marlowe |
Playwright, friend of and inspiration to Will |
25-35+, M |
|
Wessex |
Arrogant nobleman, betrothed to Viola |
40+, M |
|
Nurse |
Servant to Viola |
40+, F |
|
Hugh Fennyman |
Hard-hearted moneylender turned theatre lover, plays the Apothecary |
40, M |
|
Burbage |
Bombastic lead actor of the Chamberlain’s Men |
35+, M |
|
Queen Elizabeth I |
Gloriana. Doubles with Molly |
50+, F |
|
Molly |
Tavern wench of negotiable affection. Doubles with Queen Elizabeth |
35+, F |
|
Sam |
Young actor who takes the female roles, rehearses for Juliet |
16-20, M |
|
Webster |
Aspiring actor (and eventually playwright) with a taste for blood and gore. |
16-20, M/F |
|
Ned Alleyn |
Lead actor of the Admiral’s Men, plays Mercutio |
30+, M |
|
Edmund Tilney |
Lord Chamberlain, doubles with Sir Robert de Lesseps |
50+, M |
|
Sir Robert de Lesseps |
Viola’s father, doubles with Tilney |
50+, M |
|
Ralph |
Actor, plays Nurse |
40+ |
|
Wabash |
Actor (with speech impediment) playing Chorus |
Any, M |
|
Peter |
Actor, plays Tybalt and Valentine |
20-40, M |
|
Kate |
Tavern wench of negotiable affection. Doubles with Mistress Quickly |
20-40, F |
|
Frees |
One of Henslowe’s henchmen. Doubles with Robin |
Any, M |
|
Robin |
Actor, plays Lady Capulet |
Any, M |
|
Adam |
Actor, plays Gregory, Benvolio & Servingman. Doubles with Boatman |
Any, M |
|
Boatman |
Elizabethan taxi driver… Doubles with Adam |
Any, M |
|
Lambert |
One of Henslowe’s henchmen. Doubles with Nol |
Any, M |
|
Nol |
Actor, plays Samson, rehearses Benvolio. Doubles with Lambert |
Any, M |
|
Catling |
Guard at de Lesseps Hall, doubles with Barman |
Any, M/F |
|
Barman |
A barman. Doubles with Catling |
Any, M/F |
All actors, bar Will, Viola, Fennyman, Henslowe and Wessex will be part of the ensemble and on stage most of the time, taking other small roles as necessary. All actors bar none will take part in musical numbers and scene changes as required.
For more information, please contact me. Best is via WhatsApp or text (07403 160434) or by email to hugh@coventryvision.org.uk.
Hugh Sorrill
Director