A Midsummer Night's Dream

Beaumaris’ second production for the year is Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. This is perhaps Shakespeare’s most popular comedy - definitely his most performed. It is said that at any one time this play is being read or performed somewhere in the world. Whether it is performed in the classroom of our schools or at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre the play rarely fails to please the audience. AMND gives us what we want when we go to a comedy – foolishness, the triumph of love, magic, poetry and laughter. In our rendition of the play I will be exploring the dark black comedy of the supernatural world of the fairies as it intertwines with the clumsy actors and the sensual carryings on of our four young lovers. Sex, drugs and rockin’ Roland will be the underlying themes of our production as we explore this great source of comedic literature. We will be using Shakespeare’s standard text but do not let this frighten you. The bad experience you may have had reading it at school is not the best basis to judge actually performing it. Once you start to move the language as you read it, it makes so much more sense. This wonderful ensemble piece is a true comedy with clever dialogue that gives each actor their moment of standout laughs. It has a wide range of meaty parts for both male and female actors. The age range is also varied so those of you who are chronologically challenged should not fear the audition process. The characters are as follows: CHARACTER DESCRIPTION SEX STAGE AGE ATHENIANS THESEUS Duke of Athens m 40+ HIPPOLYTA Betrothed to Theseus f 35+ EGEUS Father of Hermia m 40+ LYSANDER Suitor to Hermia m 20-25 DEMETRIUS Suitor to Hermia, also m 20-25 HERMIA In love with Lysander f 18 HELENA In love with Demetrius f 18 PHILOSTRATE Master of the Court of Athens m 40+ TROUPE OF ACTORS PETER QUINCE A carpenter (actor) m 25+ NICK BOTTOM A weaver (actor) m 25+ FRANCIS FLUTE A bellows mender (actor) m 25+ TOM SNOUT A tinker (actor) m 25+ SNUG A joiner (actor) m 25+ ROBIN A tailor (actor) m 25+ FAIRY KINGDOM OBERON King of the fairies m 25+ TITANIA Queen of the fairies f 25+ PUCK Mischievous fairy m 18+ PEASEBLOSSOM Fairy f 18+ COBWEB Fairy f 18+ MOTH Fairy f 18+ MUSTARDSEED Fairy f 18+ CHARACTER NOTES The stage ages are only a guide and may eventually have no bearing on the person cast. I would like everyone who auditions to have an open mind regarding the role they may be suited too. If you have a preference then please express it to me but by the same token I like to have a clean slate when I audition with no preconceived ideas as to who will suit what roles. I like to see who turns up and make a judgement when all the parts of the puzzle lie before me. The Troupe of Actors, while historically are male, could be cast as female, with the exception of Bottom and Quince. AUDITION REQUIREMENTS I will nominate various dialogue pieces from the play that will have to be performed. You will not be required to learn them by heart but at least have read through it a couple of times and understand its meaning. There will also be some small improvisation to perform. IMPORTANT DATES Held at Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd. Wednesday 31st January 2007 Information Night Saturday 3rd February 2007 Audition Day Sunday 4th February Audition Day Please phone director Fred Pezzimenti on 0438 581 055 for any more details and to book an audition. NB: No one will be auditioned without a booked audition time.