Archway Theatre Auditions

• Production: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
• Production Location: Archway Theatre
• Director: Chris Yeldham
• Performance Dates:26th – 30th October and 2nd - 6th November 2010
  
• Audition Date:Monday 19th July 19:45
• Audition Location: - Archway Theatre Bar
  
  

Audition Notice:

• This year’s delve into the Shakespeare canon is Romeo and Juliet - a piece of passionate love and hatred between the Montagues and Capulets, which results in the classic tragedy of double suicide.
  
  I am looking to produce this play in modern dress in the heat of a Mediterranean summer. I'm sure I do not need to go into detail regarding the plot; however the play lends itself to a cast of varying ages. The obvious connections with modern gang culture and knife crime can be drawn and I am looking to reproduce today's youth culture within the content of the text.
  With this in mind, I am looking for convincing young people for the title roles and maybe slightly older for
  the cousins Tybalt and Benvolio, and also for Mercutio and Paris.
  The senior roles do not have to be senior citizens, indeed Lady Capulet was a similar age to Juliet when
  she bore her, but the men may need some grey in their hair.
  There are roles for servants of both houses, some may be well established members of the households, like old retainers, others will be younger hot heads. If a good turn out is forthcoming at the audition, I would like to cast some non speaking hangers-on to both houses’ youthful characters, in order to create that youth culture feel.

• Characters
  For those of you who need a reminder, here is a cast run down with my thoughts about age.
  Escalus Prince of Verona, the seat of political power, wants to maintain the peace.
  Mercutio Kinsman of the prince, Romeo’s friend, quick of wit & imagination, broody, does not suffer fools gladly. Maybe out of his teens now.
  Romeo Son of Montague and Lady Montague, handsome, sensitive, intelligent but impulsive and immature. A teenager.
  Montague Romeo's father, bitter enemy of Capulet.
  Lady Montague Romeo's mother, wife of Montague.
  Benvolio Montague's nephew, Romeo's cousin and thoughtful friend. Tries to diffuse the violence. A bit older than Romeo?
  Juliet Daughter of Capulet, beautiful, very young, naïve but grows up fast at meeting Romeo.
  As a girl, she lacks the freedom to roam the city that Romeo and the other boys have.
  Capulet Father of Juliet, he naturally knows what is best for her, and in this story, it is Paris (a suitor not the city).
  Lady Capulet Juliet's mother, married young, had Juliet when she was about fourteen. Ineffectual, relies on the nurse. Late twenties, early thirties.
  Tybalt Juliet's cousin. Vain, fashionable, aggressive, violent, a formidable foe. Out of his teens.
  Paris Kinsman of the prince, suitor to Juliet. Behaves presumptuously to Juliet, almost as if married already, possibly effete. Late teens, early twenties.
  Nurse Breast fed Juliet and cared for her for all her life. Vulgar, sentimental, a wind bag but loyal. Careworn mid to late thirties, possibly a little older.
  Friar Lawrence Friend to Romeo and Juliet. Kind, prepared, a bit of an herbalist. Possibly long in years.
  Friar John Acts for Friar Lawrence. Likewise in age.
  Balthasar Servant to Romeo. Maybe an old retainer.
  Sampson & Gregory Capulet servants, provocative towards the Montagues. Youngish ruffians.
  Abram Montague's servant, tackles Sampson and Gregory in the opening scene. Young enough to look after himself in a fight.
  The Apothecary An apothecary, oddly enough. Spent many years learning his trade.
  Peter A Capulet servant, invites the guests to Capulet's feast. Almost any age, possibly young, illiterate.
  Rosaline Romeo's first infatuation. A teenager.
  Various hangers-on to both houses who may make
  up the Chorus.
  
  Now go brush up your Shakespeare.
  Chris Yeldham, Director

• Please contact us if you require more information