Casting Call (MELB): "Queen of Hell" stage epic - mostly males + 2 female roles - seeking multicultural backgrounds

Aftonbridge Theatre is currently seeking versatile actors – skills in dance, fighting, music particularly – for this unpaid/co-op production. Full info here: www.aftonbridge.com Show dates: 6-18 April 2010 (after Easter) Where: Mechanics Institute Performing Arts Centre, Brunswick (Melbourne) Plot: “The appearance c. 4500-2500 BC of an unprecedented constellation of ... sacred acts and sacred things points not to a new theory about how to make the beans grow, but to an actual experience in depth of that mysterium tremendum that would break upon us all even now were it not so wonderfully masked.” – Joseph Campbell, The Masks of God A renown modern archaeologist stumbles upon a lost tribal city living in the way of humankind’s earliest civilisations. Here he struggles to comprehend the joy and harmony of the people in the face of horrific human sacrifice. It doesn’t help that his long lost daughter had been adopted as their queen. Opening the tomb reveals more gruesome secrets. Combining strains of humankind’s collective history with questions about the modern psyche and where we fit in, TG Firth’s epic story of hypnotic sacrifice and psychological confusion leads his audience down some weird and wonderful pathways into challenging theatrical experiences. ****As well as performers, I’d love to hear from anyone interested in trying their hand at: Music design/composition, Dance/Choreography, Costume Design. There is a budget available for this purpose - please contact me to discuss if interested at email link bottom of this page.**** CAST ROLES Brief listing – full detail at www.aftonbridge.com David (35+): Well-known scholar and archaeologist. (Would suit someone with an English or American accent but not essential.) Cliff (27+): Expedition leader and rugged outdoors-type. Some physical agility required - fight choreography etc. Queen (20-30): David's long-lost daughter now raised as the Queen of the jungle natives. Must be capable of strong oratory. Sula (30+): a kind of mystic medicine man. Key comic role, ideally suited to an actor of non-Caucasian background - particularly someone of African or Aboriginal Australian background. The role calls for singing, dancing, fighting, movement, and comic timing. Anderson (20-25): Anderson is a typical smartarse modern youth who is part of David's expedition. Physical agility and fight skills are a major bonus for this role. High Priest (30+): the high priest of the ancient Padimurs is a devout and enthusiastic spiritual leader, but is also wise and powerful. Would suit actor from non-Caucasian background. (other roles: Dancer/Warrior 5/Lord 3) Warrior/Priest 3 (25+): Roles: 1. Lead Warrior, skilled in physical combat; 2. Priest 3 is loud, aggressive and obsessed. Would also suit actor from non-Caucasian background. (also Lord 2/Other 1/Dancer) Priest 2/Warrior 3/Lord/Sacrifice/Dancer (25+): Roles: 1. Priest 2 is the most devout follower of the high priest, 2. Warrior 3 is a powerful warrior, skilled in physical combat. Would suit actor from non-Caucasian background. Priest 4/Warrior 4/Padimur 2/Other 2/Dancer (25+): Roles: 1. Priest 4 - another extremist revolutionary priest. 2. Warrior 4 - another agile and threatening Padimur warrior. 3. Padimur 2 - a Padimur native stranded in the jungle and pursued by bears (lots of fun). 4. Other 2 - one of David's men on his expedition. Would suit actor from non-Caucasian background. Woman/Priestess/Padimur 1/Dancer (20-35): Roles: 1. A virgin (?) priestess in the Padimur temple, 2. a rowdy revolutionary Padimur woman are the two very different roles for this performer. Would suit actor from non-Caucasian background. Dance ability a plus. To book an audition click on link at www.aftonbridge.com Cheers, Thomas tgfirth@aftonbridge.com