AUDITION NOTICE: Jane Eyre, 2 April, Masque Theatre

AUDITION NOTICE

Jane Eyre adapted by Alastair Duff

Directed by: Alastair Duff

Production Dates: 30 June – 8 July 2017

Audition Date: Sunday 2nd April 2017

Time: 12h00

Venue: Masque Theatre, 37 Main Road, Muizenberg

Society: Constantiaberg Theatre Players

ABOUT THE PLAY:

Jane Eyre (originally published as Jane Eyre: An Autobiography) is a novel by English writer Charlotte Bronte. Adapted for the stage by Alastair Duff, this script follows the original story very closely and brings Bronte’s’ pages to life.

Jane Eyre follows the emotions and experiences of its named heroine, including her growth to adulthood and her love for Mr. Rochester, the master of fictitious Thornfield Hall. Jane Eyre revolutionised the art of fiction in the 19th century. The script contains elements of social criticism, with a strong sense of Christian morality at its core, but is nonetheless a story which many consider ahead of its time given the individualistic character of Jane and the exploration of classism, sexuality, religion, and feminism.

CHARACTERS:

• CHARLOTTE/JANE EYRE: (Age 20+) plays Charlotte as somewhat older. Quiet, shy but with a strong character. A wonderful opportunity to play this famous fictional role, and the writer of the novel.
• EDWARD ROCHESTER: (Age 25+) At first cold and taciturn, he reveals a kind, passionate side. A great part to the play
• MRS FAIRFAX: (Age 40+) Not a servant, she is a relative of Rochester’s, but also is his housekeeper. Kind and sympathetic, she is also very opinionated.

The following parts are smaller but present a wide variety of characters to play:

• Young Jane: (Age 10+) A little girl who has quite a strong will. Possibly double as Adele
• Helen Burns: (Age 13+) Jane’s friend, calm almost passive. A challenging part.
• John Reed: (Age 14+) A bully, mean and spiteful. A small but challenging part. Could double up as a house guest.
• Mrs Reed: (Age 30+) Jane’s cold-hearted aunt. Doubles up as a house guest or Grace Poole.
• Mr Brocklehurst: (Age 50+ )School Administrator. Cold, cruel and hypocritical. Challenging part. Doubles as The Minister and/or a house guest.
• Miss Miller/Miss Temple: (Age 25+) Both are teachers at Lowood School, one mean, the other kind. Double as house guests.
• Adele Verans: (Age 10+) Mr Rochester’s ward, she is Jane’s pupil. French, light-hearted but sweet little girl. Should be able to manage a French accent.
• Blanch Ingram: (Age 20+) Rochester’s girlfriend, very sophisticated. Could double up as Miss Temple, Diana Rivers or Bertha Mason.
• Lady Lynn: (Age 40+)Aristocratic lady, could double as Miss Miller
• Lady Ingram: (Age 40+) Aristocratic and superior. Could double as Grace Poole
• Richard Mason: (Age 25+) Rochester’s brother-in-law. Emotional part. Double as Biggs.
• Carter, The Surgeon: (Age 35+) Could double as house guest
• The Minister: (Age 40+) A small part, double as house guest
• Mr Biggs, the solicitor: Small part, double up as house guest.
• Grace Poole: (Age 25+) A servant, double as house guest
• Bertha Mason: (Age 25+) Insane, dangerous, a great cameo part. Could Double
• St John Rivers: (Age 25+) A medium-size role. A missionary, could, moody. Challenging part
• Diana Rivers/Mary Rivers: (Age 20+) St. John’s sisters. Medium-size role, with doubling possible.

Backstage Crew also needed: Costumes/Props, Stage Manager and Production Secretary.

If you need more info phone Alastair on 021 788 4984.

To book your audition slot please email secretary@ctptheatre.co.za.

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AUDITION NOTICE: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

Date: Sunday 19 March

Time: 10h00

Venue: The Hok, Thicket Street, Claremont

Performance dates: 19-29 July, Masque Theatre

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is an absurdist, existentialist tragicomedy by Tom Stoppard. The play expands upon the exploits of two minor characters from Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’, the courtiers Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. The action of Stoppard’s play takes place mainly in the wings of ‘Hamlet’, with brief appearances of major characters from ‘Hamlet’ who enact fragments of the original’s scenes. Between these episodes the two protagonists voice their confusion at the progress of events occurring on stage, of which they have no direct knowledge.

List of roles:

• Guildenstern (lead)
• Rosenkrantz (lead)
• The Player
• The Actors (5-6)
• Hamlet
• Claudius
• Ophelia
• Gertrude
• Polonius
• Fortinbras
• Horatio
• Courtiers

I am looking for actors (particularly for the two main roles) who are able to understand and experiment with highly intricate word play, as well as, access and portray a range of emotions within a short period of time. Naturally, comic timing – or the ability to develop it – is crucial. In addition, the two leads ‘must’ be good at learning lines, and willing to work intensively.  (No short order – but, in my opinion, these roles are two of the most challenging and rewarding roles in the history of modern theatre!)

The third largest part is that of the leader of the troupe of actors, i.e. The Player.  This part also requires everything that is mentioned above.  It is a wickedly comic part.  The leader is in charge of a troupe of clueless, clowning ‘actors’ who must somehow put together a play worthy of the court.  The actors playing ‘the actors’ need to have a feel for physical comedy (they do not have any lines, so rely entirely on body language to convey the humour).

Although all the other parts, e.g. Hamlet and Claudius, are small, they are spoken in the original Shakespearean language.  Actors taking on these small, but not easy parts, need to be able to master the language.

To prepare

For all the speaking parts, please familiarise yourselves with the relevant piece below.  You don’t need to learn the pieces by heart, but need to be able to show what you can do with them.  (There will be someone reading in the other part/parts for you).

reading-rosenkrantz-and-guildenstern

Auditionees for non-speaking parts need simply arrive.

Contact

If you have any queries or cannot make the audition and would like to schedule an alternate time, please contact Jenny Brandt, the director, on jennybrandt74@gmail.com, 082 492 5984 or 021 785 7610.

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