test

Test

Auditions!

Auditions! The Postgraduate Project of the New Theatre is looking for actors.

The Postgraduate Project of the New Theatre is looking for Postgrads, Postdocs or Staff who want to play a role in its 28th-31st of May production of Mary Zimmermanns Metamorphosis.

The goal of this project is to do theatre on a more relaxed schedule compatible with getting a PhD/working in research.

We will hold Auditions in C27, Maths and Physics (Building 28), 5-8pm on Thursday the 21st of Febuary.

If you plan to come (or can't make that particular date but would still like to act) please email us at postgrad@netwtheatre.org.uk so we can schedule the auditions. You can of course show up on the day but might have to wait a little.

To keep informed about the ongoing production process please check this blog, email us and/or join our facebook group "New Theatre Postgrad Project".

Auditions

We have decided on Zimmermanns Metamorphosis, running from 28th till 31st of May.

Auditions will be Wednesday the 30th of January in the New Theatre building, starting from 5pm.

The New Theatre is located in building 12 on the corner facing the Portland: Campus map

Plays under consideration (3)

Frank:

SAMUEL BECKETT, FOOTFALLS

Google Books link: Footfalls
Beckett on Film link: Footfalls

Footfalls was written in English between March and December 1975. May, wrapped in tatters, paces back and forth engaging in conversation with the disembodied voice of her mother. In the second scene, May's voice becomes subsumed into her mother's. She paces ever more slowly as the play progresses, and the light dims, so that by the fourth and final scene there is no trace of her.

Why: Maybe besides "Not I", Fottfalls contains the most haunting monologues and lines Beckett wrote for stage. A short play of incredible intensity. As always there is not interpretation for a Beckettian play, but the structures involved reverberate deeply on many levels. To me this is a play of a radiant austere beauty.

Possibly to short on its own but could be framed with other Beckett texts and shorts.

How: Stark simple stage, straightforward adaption.

Who: Two women.

Plays under consideration (2)

Frank:


ALBERT CAMUS, CALIGULA

Google Books link: Caligula

Why: Together with the better known essay Myth of Sisyphus and the novel The Stranger this play completes the circle of writing that defines Camus' Philosophy of the Absurd. The homicidal Roman Empire Caligula is established as an (Anti-)hero of the absurd. Driven by the insight that "people die and are unhappy" he declares his lust for the moon and demands the impossible. Among other things this lays bare the despicable state of the empire and its aristocracy. His violence seems barely less rational then what came before.

How: The text is not always brilliant or speakable, and the setting in Roman villas will require some interpretation and editing. While no doubt a big play it is doable.

Who: 13 people in the text + generic characters. 10 male + 3 female but this can be somewhat relaxed (most characters might as well be played by both genders)

ALBERT CAMUS, THE JUST

Google Books link: The Just

Why: The play studies in some depth whether (terroristic) violence for the purpose of bettering society can be justified, and what it does to those who practice it. Set in 1906, written in the 1940s, it obviously has a renewed actuality today. Weaving in contemporary media would allow to precisely frame the piece in such a way as to make these links clear.

How: Straightforward to stage, mostly a chamber play happening in one room. Would suit our stage very well.

Who: 9, 7 male + 2 female, again, the play does allow for some leniency in casting gender wise.

Plays under consideration (1)

Karina:

MARY ZIMMERMAN, METAMORPHOSES

Google Books link: Metamorphoses

Mary Zimmerman's play Metamorphoses is based on Ovid's fifteen-volume work of transformation myths. Positioned in and around a large pool on the stage, the characters enact Zimmerman's adaptations of Ovid's tales, juxtaposing the ancient and the contemporary in both language and image. The tone of the drama likewise echoes the themes of change and contrast, from the humor of Phaeton's therapy session to the tragedy of Midas and his daughter. Various productions of this play have been awarded five Los Angeles Drama Critics Awards, the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Work/Adaptation and several Bay Area Theatre Critics Awards including Best Production. Metamorphoses played around the United States and Off Broadway before moving to Broadway's Circle in the Square Theatre in March 2002.The book contains a production history, the play script, and, because the visual aspect of the play is so important, photographs from some of its past productions. The play's literature-into-drama approach gives the book a dual role in the marketplace, both as literature and as a script for performance.

Why: Fantastic contemporary modern play with many interesting possibilities.

How: Possibly just about the most challenging thing one can put on. The text requires 5 doors, balcony and swimming pool. Doors and balcony can probably be reduced, the swimming pool can probably just about be built at the New Theatre.

Who: Variable number of actors, balanced gender wise, 6 at an absolute minimum 8-12 preferred.