KING LEAR
The Stables Theatre is proud to announce auditions for a thrilling new production of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy King Lear. This will be a dynamic, fast-paced, exciting and bold telling of what many consider to be the Bard’s finest work. We welcome all to come out to this open audition.
WHEN: Sunday 22-November at 2:00 pm
WHERE: Stables Theatre in Hastings
No booking in advance, just show up at 14:00.
(Please plan to stay at least 2 hours as we will be mixing and matching various actors in various scenes.)
First read-through on: Sunday 29-November at 2:00 pm
Rehearsals will start on: Tuesday 05-January
Rehearsals will tend to be: Tue, Wed, Thu evenings & occasional Sundays (mornings or afternoons)
Performance dates are: 12-20 March (8 performances)
PLEASE NOTE: We are not doing the full play but rather a unique edited version. Contact the Stables to be emailed a copy or you may borrow a physical copy from the Stables Box Office. All pages listed below are from this version of the play.
CHARACTERS:
King Lear
Male, approximate age range 55-85
The king is a vain narcissist. He expects to be flattered and fawned over. He demands respect. He is very self-involved. He expects loyalty but does not feel the need to be loyal in return. (Think Donald Trump.) The only person he truly loves is the Fool. Goes mad as the play progresses and his world collapses around him.
AUDITION PIECES:
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near top page 3 after Gloucester’s exit to middle page 6 line “O vassal! Miscreant!”
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near top page 24 after Kent’s exit to end of scene middle of page 25
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top of page 46 to Gloucester’s entrance middle of page 411
Goneril
Female, approximate age range 25-40
She had a very difficult childhood, which has left her very cold and cruel. She’s only concerned about herself and her own wants and needs. She hates her husband Albany, whom she views as being weak. And she detests weakness in anyone.
AUDITION PIECES:
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near top page 3 after Gloucester’s exit to middle page 6 line “O vassal! Miscreant!”
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page 23
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pages 59-60
Regan
Female, approximate age range 25-40
Charming, flirty, snobbish, vain. Lives in her own little world. Although she is often more diplomatic than her sister Goneril, she is actually crueler and more violent than her sister.
AUDITION PIECES:
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near top page 3 after Gloucester’s exit to middle page 6 line “O vassal! Miscreant!”
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pages 27-28
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page 63
Cordelia/Fool
Female, approximate age range 20-30
Cordelia is stubborn and self-righteous. Being right is more important to her than being tactful. She is very strong willed.
The Fool is truthful, witty and sarcastic. Scares easily. Doesn’t like change. Adors the king.
AUDITION PIECES:
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near top page 3 after Gloucester’s exit to middle page 6 line “O vassal! Miscreant!”
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near top page 24 after Kent’s exit to end of scene middle of page 25
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top of page 46 to Gloucester’s entrance middle of page 48
Countess of Kent/Caius
Female, approximate age range 45-75
Strong and bold. A decorated soldier when she was younger. She is totally committed to the King and would readily give up her life for him. She pretends to be a male servant named Caius for much of the play.
AUDITION PIECES:
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near top page 3 after Gloucester’s exit to middle page 6 line “O vassal! Miscreant!”
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page 29
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top of page 46 to Gloucester’s entrance middle of page 48
Earl of Gloucester
Male, approximate age range 45-75
Not the brightest guy in the world. Means well, but often gets things wrong. Loyal to the King, but doesn’t like to rock the boat.
AUDITION PIECES:
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page 13 to exit
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pages 27-28
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old man entrance on page 56 to old man exit page 57
Edgar/Poor Tom
Male, approximate age range 20-35
Edgar is very much like his father. Not the brightest guy in the world. Means well, but often gets things wrong. But he changes as the play goes on, learning and adapting as needed. Pretending to be “Poor Tom” gives him needed insight about people.
AUDITION PIECES:
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top of page 13 to Edmund’s exit on middle of page 14
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Edgar’s speech from bottom of page 33 to top of page 34
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top of page 46 to Gloucester’s entrance middle of page 48
Edmund
Male, approximate age range 20-35
Extremely intelligent, charismatic, charming, strong. And also ambitious, greedy, nasty and conniving. He has a huge ego. Will do whatever it takes to get what he wants.
AUDITION PIECES:
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Edmund’s speech from bottom of page 10 to top of page 11
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top of page 13 to Edmund’s exit on middle of page 14
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pages 27-28
Duke of Albany/ Duke of Cornwall/Duke of Burgundy
Male, approximate age range 18-50
Albany is a good soldier but not always wise. He’s a bit of a wimp around his wife Goneril initially and it’s not until towards the end of the play that he finally stands up to her.
Cornwall is strong but also a cruel, violent and sadistic man. He loves his wife Regan and always tries to impress her with his actions.
Burgundy is a repulsive and vain man, only after power and money and not much else.
AUDITION PIECES:
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page 23
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pages 27-28
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pages 59-60
Multi-role = King of France/Os
Either Male or Female, approximate age range 18-50
Actor for this must be able to create several characters, all with different walks, talks, looks and mannerisms. A very demanding role, but an important one. (Actor will need to make some very quick costume changes.)
AUDITION PIECES:
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page 23
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page 29
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old man entrance on page 56 to old man exit page 57
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pages 59-60
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page 63
Any questions? Feel free to contact the director Tim Kendrick at: tim63kendrick@gmail.com
We look forward to seeing you at the auditions.
