Audition details

Below are details of auditions and backstage help required for Putney Theatre Company's production of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.

Please note, in order to maintain social distancing, we are asking those interested in auditioning to contact the Director, Katie Bonham, directly so she can offer you a designated audition slot: bonhamkt@gmail.com

Audition dates

• Monday 26 July 2021, 7.30pm
• Wednesday 28 July 2021, 7.30pm

Recalls

Saturday 31 July 2021, 2pm

Audition venue

Putney Arts Theatre, Ravenna Road, London SW15 6AW

Production details

Performance space

Main Stage at Putney Arts Theatre

Performance dates

• 4-6 November 2021, 7.45pm
• 10-13 November 2021, 7.45pm
• Matinees 6 & 13 November, 3pm
  

Rehearsal period

Rehearsals will take place from early September for 2-3 evenings a week, as well as around 4 hours' rehearsal on Sundays. Sometimes there may be a need to rehearse on different days and times. Most actors will only be called for 2 rehearsals a week until the final few weeks, when actors should be prepared to rehearse on up to 4 days a week.

Notes

We are committed to improving diversity in our casting and, unless stated for artistic reasons, we aim to actively adopt an inclusive casting policy.

This is an amateur production. You do not need to be a member of PTC to audition, but actors and crew will need to become members for £25 a year by direct debit, or £30 otherwise. A £25 show fee will also need to be paid by all actors in the production. We’d encourage you to become a member of PTC anyway even if not cast.

Our company is run by volunteers and we expect all actors cast in a play to do Front of House at least once a year. Our shows could not go up without our Front of House volunteers.

The play

Within the cut-throat world of design, two iconic fashion houses, House Capulet and House Montague, are readying for the prestigious London fashion week. Two of the world’s most powerful women in design, Lady Capulet and Lady Montague, are lifelong rivals and sworn enemies, but when their two children – fashion protégés Romeo and Juliet – meet, their lives are torn apart by forbidden love and a divided society. Set amongst runways, cutting rooms and one fateful party, this adaptation of doomed love, tragedy and violence promises to be a fresh, vibrant and modern take on the timeless classic.

‘These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder
Which, as they kiss, consume.’
Friar Lawrence, Act II, Scene VI

Audition preparation

The first audition will involve games and exercises to see how you work with other actors – nothing too strenuous or exhausting, but do come in clothes that you can move in. Then actors will be grouped together to a devise a brief scene, not Romeo-and-Juliet-related. There is nothing to prepare, but please also make sure you arrive on time as we shall be starting promptly. The recalls will involve more detailed devising and specific character work. When notified of your recall you will be sent a small amount of text to learn and a small amount of research to do.

Characters

We are looking for a company of 15 actors. The members of the company will each be given one of the roles below and may also be required to play another role. All roles can be any gender, age or race.

House of Capulet

• Juliet (the muse) – Independent, loyal and passionate
• Capulet (the boss / lead designer) – Strong, fiery and domineering
• PA (Formerly Nurse) – Bawdy, warm and self-serving
• Tybalt (the overshadowed model) – Argumentative, aggressive and vengeful
• Paris (wealthy suitor) – Bold, handsome and misogynistic
• Sampson (Design assistant) – Loud mouthed, rash and flaky
• Gregory (Design assistant) – Unmanaged emotions and blames others

House of Montague

• Romeo (the muse) – Intelligent, sensitive and impulsive
• Montague (the artsy lead designer) – Self-controlled, quiet and proud
• Mercutio (model) – Witty, loyal and hot-headed
• Benvolio (Design assistant) – Reliable, caring and respectful
• Balthazar (Studio runner) – Humble and straight-talking

Other

• Prince (Head of London’s fashion industry) – Authoritarian, quick and decisive
• Father Lawrence (Priest to the stars) – Trustworthy, caring and politically motivated
• Father John (Priest to the people) – Caring, loyal and selfless
• News Reporter (Celebrity news reporter) – False, lacks empathy
• Apothecary – Entrepreneurial, moral

Backstage

Opportunities available include:

• Stage Manager

Please get in touch with bonhamkt@gmail.com or info@putneyartstheatre.co.uk if you are interested in getting involved.