Encore Theatre Inc.
VDL Awards Entry: 2023
Author: Keith Robinson, Tony Taylor and William Shakespeare
Director: Andrew Ferguson
Genre: Comedy
Agent: Sue Barnett & Associates Pty Ltd
Synopsis
The popular mechanicals are Shakespeare’s greatest clowns – the endearingly amateur acting ensemble led by Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Here, they take centre-stage in a wild imagining of what goes on in the wings.
The result is a riotously funny mix of Shakespearean verse, songs and dance that is lewd, rude and ingenious. Clowning, vaudeville, slapstick, farce, stand-up comedy and some hilarious puppetry come together to create an unhinged feast of wit and profanity.
Characters
Characters Summary:
Nick Bottom, a weaver - 18+ years old
Peter Quince, a carpenter - 18+ years old
Francis Flute, a bellows mender - 18+ years old
Snug, the joiner - 18+ years old
Torn Snout, a tinker - 18+ years old
Robin Starveling, a tailor - 18+ years old
Characters Description:
The characters are based on those in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, interacting in this play strongly in the manner of improvisational Theatre.
As stipulated by the playwrights: "Starveling is played by a woman, as a woman; Snout is played by a woman, as a man". Other characters are not prescribed with regard to gender identity, and no character is prescribed with regard to cultural identity - diversity of casting will be prioritised; actors of all identities and abilities are encouraged to audition.
Precast Characters:
None
Audition Venue & Dates
Audition Dates and Times:
3:30pm on:
7:30pm on:
Audition Venue Name: Fleigner Hall
Audition Venue Address:
31-39 Highland Avenue, Oakleigh East
Audition Enquiries Contact: Andrew Ferguson - afconsulting@bigpond.com
Performances
Season Dates: 14 Jul 2023 - 22 Jul 2023
Showtimes:
2:15pm on:
- Sun 16th Jul 2023
- Sat 22nd Jul 2023
8:00pm on:
- Fri 14th Jul 2023
- Sat 15th Jul 2023
- Wed 19th Jul 2023
- Thu 20th Jul 2023
- Fri 21st Jul 2023
- Sat 22nd Jul 2023
More info
Other Information
Other Information:
Auditions are strictly by appointment. Contact the Director by email: afconsulting@bigpond.com, to arrange your time. Auditionees should be prepared to work in groups during the auditions, particularly to demonstrate improvisation skills. We are also seeking actors with various other skills, including musicianship (singing, and possibly the ability to play a portable instrument), clowning, slapstick, stand-up comedy and puppetry.
Successful cast members MUST BE available for the rehearsal period (28 May to 13 July 2023) with regular rehearsals on Sunday afternoons and Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Clayton, as well as all performance dates. Please check your availability for all dates before booking your audition time. Please also inform the Director before your audition, if there is a possibility of you taking on professional acting work that may conflict with rehearsal and performance dates.
A copy of the script will be provided, together with a list of the sections to be used at audition. It is expected that auditionees will have both read the play and have a reasonable understanding of it, and be familiar with Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
You will be required to submit a resume and headshot prior to the audition to the Director, once you have confirmed audition time.
