Audition Notice
The Studio Theatre at South Hill Park presents: Twelfth Night, by William Shakespeare
Directed by Jess Edwards
Show dates: Tue 18 – Sat 22 June 2024
Audition dates: Please contact us by Fri 9 Feb if you’re interested in participating
Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon ‘em!
Twelfth Night is Shakespeare’s comic tale of love, mistaken identity, and frolicking festivity. Set to a nostalgic selection of 80’s mega hits, this is going to be a fun, rip-roaring and thoroughly music-loving production. So grab your leg warmers, tease up that hair, and let’s make some drama!
Synopsis (hold on to your hairspray, it gets complicated):
The story begins with Crown Princess Viola, who is shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria and presumes her twin brother, Prince Sebastian, to be dead. Taking the opportunity of starting a new life, Viola disguises herself as a young man named Cesario and enters the service of Orsino at his record shop Duke’s Records. Orsino is in love with the countess Olivia, who refuses his advances. When Orsino sends Cesario (Viola in disguise) to plead his case, Olivia falls in love with Cesario.
Meanwhile, Viola has fallen in love with Orsino, leading to a complex love triangle (cue some fab 80s power ballads). When everyone is caught between who they think they should be and who they actually are, the course of true love doesn’t run smooth.
In another part of Olivia’s household, her uncle Sir Toby Belch, his friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and the maid Maria, play pranks on Olivia’s pompous steward, Malvolio.
The plot further thickens when Sebastian, Viola’s presumed dead twin, arrives in Illyria, leading to a series of mistaken identities.
Characters:
· Viola – A princess who disguises herself as Cesario. Playing age 20-30s
· Sebastian – Viola’s twin brother. Playing age 20-30s
· Duke Orsino – The Duke of Illyria (owner of Duke’s Record Store), in love with Olivia. Playing age 30s-40s
· Olivia – A wealthy countess. Playing age 30s-40s
· Malvolio – Steward in Olivia’s household. Any age
· Sir Toby Belch – Olivia’s uncle. 40s+
· Maria – Olivia’s gentlewoman. Any age
· Sir Andrew Aguecheek – A friend of Sir Toby. Any age
· Feste – A clown in Olivia’s household. Any age and gender. Added bonus would be if you’re happy to sing
· Antonio – A friend of Sebastian. 20s-30s
· Fabian – A servant in Olivia’s household. Any age and gender
· Valentine and Curio – Attendants of the Duke. Any age and gender
Production team:
We’re always looking for back-stage volunteers too. Whether it’s operating the lights & sound, assembling props & costumes, or stage management, please let us know if you want to get involved!
Rehearsal information:
Once cast, we’ll be doing some early workshops exploring the text and movement for the play, before rehearsals step up in earnest in March.
Dates and committment:
Rehearsals: Likely to be weekday evenings and occasional Sundays
Technical rehearsals and dress: Sun 16 (daytime) & Mon 17 June (evening)
Shows: Tue 18 – Sat 22 June 7.30pm
For more info, please contact David Stacey at davidstacey.home@nullgmail.com or find us on Facebook
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