AUDITION NOTICE: Shakespeare in Love
WT is committed to being a diverse and open organisation. Auditions are open to anyone, regardless of background or experience, and we particularly welcome those who have been traditionally under-represented in theatre.
Please note that these auditions are now closed.
Synopsis
We are about to hold a read-through and auditions for Shakespeare In Love, by Lee Hall, which is the final play of our 2022/23 Season. It will be performed 20th to 29th July.
The play, with music, follows the fortunes of a young Will Shakespeare as he seeks to improve his work, his love life, and his inances. Inspiration arrives in the form of Viola De Lesseps, but she is betrothed to another. The action of the play takes place in numerous locations, with the large company of actors working together to create all the different scenes required.
It’s a big team effort (22 actors ideally required) with plenty of fun, sword ighting, comic asides, mistaken identities, and snippets of Shakespeare’s plays.
Parts
Most actors are on stage all the time, but speaking roles vary. Ages are a guide only.
Larger Speaking Roles
| Will Shakespeare | Male – 30’s, ill disciplined romantic. |
| Viola De Lesseps | Female – 20’s, daughter of a wealthy man. Aspires to be an actor. |
| Henslowe | Male – 30’s upwards, owner manag- er of Rose Theatre, in debt to Fenny- man. |
| Wessex | Male – 30’s to 40’s, nobleman with plantations in Virginia. Weds for money. |
| Nurse | Female – 40’s upwards, companion and nurse to Viola. Supports her schemes. |
| Fennyman | Male – 30’s upwards, producer of The Rose Theatre, and a bully. |
| Ned Alleyn | Male – 40’s upwards, lead actor of Admiral’s Men, big actor, big voice. |
Medium Speaking Roles
| Ralph | Male – any age, actor at The Rose Theatre, plays Juliet’s nurse. |
| Kit Marlowe | Male – 30’s to 40’s, friend of Will, a writer and a fighter. |
| Burbage | Male – 40’s upwards, lead actor and owner of The Curtain Theatre. |
| Webster | Male – late teens/early 20’s, street urchin, wants to be an actor. Loves violence. |
| Sam | Male – late teens/early 20’s, actor with Admiral’s Men, plays Juliet until his voice breaks. |
| Tilney | Male – 40’s upwards, Lord Chamber- lain. Determined to stop women per- forming. |
| Queen Elizabeth | Female – 40’s upwards, steely, strong, authoritative. |
Smaller Roles
| Peter | Male – any age, actor with The Ad- miral’s Men. |
| Nol | Male – any age, actor at The Rose Theatre. |
| Wabash | Male – any age, stammering actor, and Henslowe’s tailor. |
| Sir Robert De Lesseps | Male – 40’s upwards, Viola’s father, nobleman with money. |
| Robin | Male – any age, actor at The Rose Theatre. |
| Adam | Male – any age, actor at The Rose Theatre. |
| Lambert | Male – any age, Fennyman’s henchman, Molly at the tavern. |
| Frees | Male – any age, Fennyman’s henchman, Kate at the tavern, and badly behaved dog! |
Auditions
The read-through is on Wednesday 1st February at 7.45pm in the Theatre foyer.
Auditions are on Wednesday 8th at 7.45pm in the Theatre foyer, and on Tuesday 14th and Thursday 16th at 7.45pm at the Bradbury Centre (Mark Room), Rose Street, Wokingham.
Emma Merchant
Director
ceaj.merchant@gmail.com
Neil Hodgson
Production Manager
nielden.hodgson@ntlworld.com
Sophie Vallely
Stage Manager
s.lane260@ntlworld.com