CALL TO AUDITION:


SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE

Based on the screenplay by
MARC NORMAN & TOM STOPPARD
Adapted for the stage by
LEE HALL

 

“Queen Elizabeth: I know something of a woman in a man’s profession. Yes, by God, I do know about that.”

A boisterous romantic comedy set in the world of the theatre.

Young Will Shakespeare has a bad case of writer’s block and desperately needs a muse.

His new comedy, Romeo and Ethel the Pirate’s Daughter, isn’t turning out how he’d hoped and he’s up against a tight deadline to deliver his next masterpiece.

That is until he meets Viola de Lesseps, and a real-life romance starts to take hold. But Viola has a secret and this new play isn’t shaping up to be the light-hearted comedy Queen Bess demanded.

From the pen of Lee Hall (Billy Elliot) comes this scintillating stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, brim full of passion, love and laughter.

“Celebrates the way magic and mystery are born out of chaos and confusion.” The Guardian

CREATIVE TEAM & CREW
Director Maddy Withington
Assistant Director Isabella Milkovitsch

PERFORMANCE DATES
12 Nov – 14 Dec 2024

REHEARSALS
Rehearsals will begin the week commencing Mon 23 Sept with a combination of weekend days, week evenings and possibly weekdays. Exact times and dates tbc, subject to cast availability. Availability to rehearse 9am – 6pm Sat essential.

AUDITIONS
It is essential to read the script BEFORE applying. There is a perusal copy of the script available for viewing here.

The initial round of auditions will be done using self-tape. Call-back auditions will be held at the theatre in person after self-tape submissions close, exact dates tbc. If you are unable to submit a self-tape, please email the Director at sinlovent24@gmail.com to arrange an alternative means of audition.

Your filmed audition should include:
•    A very brief self- introduction, including your name
•    Your audition piece: 1-2 mins of your favourite Shakespeare, it can be anything, as long as you like it and it makes you laugh –  what has you clutching your stomach with mirth?

Once you have captured your audition, upload it as either a private and password-protected Vimeo or a YouTube video using the password ‘Shakespeare24’ and email the link with the below information to sinlovent24@gmail.com.

In your email, please:

  • Include an up-to-date headshot and cv
  • Indicate which role/roles you are interested in
  • Indicate if you are currently a New Theatre member
  • Indicate your rehearsal availability (days and/or evenings)
  • Detail any singing experience/ability
  • Let us know of any musical instruments you can play

Self-tape submissions close Fri 13 Sep 11:59pm

ROLES AVAILABLE
Will Shakespeare – bit of a writer
Viola De Lesseps – Young noblewoman, intent on treading the boards
Wessex – Noble bloke engaged to Viola. Complete tosser
Burbage – Big deal actor, owns a theatre
Kit Marlowe – Will’s mate, excellent poet and writer
Henslowe – Owner and manager of the Rose Theatre
Fennyman – Producer and “actor”
Queen/Nurse/Molly – Ultimate Monarch/caretaker/sex worker
Lambert/Ralph – Henchman/Actor
Mistress Quickly/Kate/Adam/Nol/Guard/Sam – Honestly if you can keep up with who you are, well done
Ned – Capital “A” actor
Tilney/Sir Robert – Lord Chamberlain/Daddy Lesseps
Robin/Frees – Actor/Henchman
Webster/Boatman – Blood thirsty urchin/writer with a day job
Barman/Wabash/Peter – pours beers/tailor/actor

We very much encourage and welcome submissions from people who identify as First Nations, PoC, CaLD, queer and/or gender diverse.

PLEASE NOTE
New Theatre is a volunteer-based organisation and there is no payment for this production.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Maddy graduated from the Actor’s Centre Australia in 2014 and since then has been working as an actor, director and voiceover artist on a range of projects. You may have heard her voice on the radio convincing you to join the navy, reconsider your super fund, or get a boob job. Maybe all at once. For New Theatre: actor, The School for Scandal, The Angry Brigade. Other recent theatre productions she has appeared in include: It’s A Wonderful Life (Joining the Dots Theatre Co), Fuente Ovejuna! (Flight Path Theatre), and her first play, Wil and Grace (Sydney Fringe Festival). Her first short film Butter: A Love Story received a Special Mention from the Jury for Best Comedy at Flickerfest 2023, and she appeared at St Kilda Film Fest in June (Best Original Score Nominee). In 2022, she made her directorial debut with Much Ado (Attractive, Not Model Attractive/Flight Path Theatre), and subsequently directed The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), Banging Denmark, and The Children.

Main image: © r.classen/Shutterstock