The Bridge Project: RICHARD III Equity Principal Audition - Brooklyn Academy of Music and Old Vic Theatre Auditions

The Bridge Project: RICHARD III

– Equity Principal Auditions

Brooklyn Academy of Music and Old Vic Theatre (London UK) LORT $882/week minimum.

Author: Shakespeare

Dir: Sam Mendes

Casting: Daniel Swee

1st reh, London: 5/3/11. London run 6/18-9/11. International tour begins 9/12. Brooklyn run: 1/10/12 – 3/4/12.

Equity Principal Auditions:

Thursday, January 27, 2011 Actors' Equity Association Audition Center

9:30 AM - 5:30 PM 165 West 46th Street, 2nd Floor

Lunch from 1 - 2. New York City

Please prepare a brief Shakespeare monologue. Please bring a picture & resume, stapled back-to-back.

Seeking the following roles and understudies:

King Edward IV / Bishop of Ely:

50s-60s. King Edward: Recently the King of England through the overthrowing of King Henry VI. Married to Queen Elizabeth and older brother to Richard and Clarence. A formerly powerful man, now physically ailing. Unaware that Richard is undermining him at every moment. Bishop: Brings word to Elizabeth of the arrival of her youngest son.

Clarence:

Mid 30s – mid 40s. Younger brother to Richard and Edward IV. Noble, sophisticated, naturally aristocratic, essentially a gentle and trusting man.

Queen Elizabeth:

30s-40s. Wife of King Edward IV. Aristocratic, poised, regal. Optimally, tall. Highly intelligent, strong, moral.

Duchess of York:

60s. Widowed mother to Richard, Edward and Clarence. Cares deeply for the safety of her daughter- in-law, Elizabeth and her young grandchildren, the young Princes. Has never liked her son Richard, and loathes what he has done.

Lady Anne:

20s-30s. Comfortable in the corridors of power, sophisticated and smart, she mistakenly thinks she’s able to control Richard. Sexy, self-confident, powerful.

Queen Margaret:

60s+. Widow to the deceased King Henry VI. Full of righteous anger at Richard and his family, who were responsible for the death of her family. Role requires real physical and vocal power. She is almost mad with ferocious rage.

Duke of Buckingham:

Late 30s – late 40s. Richard’s right-hand man. Handsome, smooth and charming; the consummate politician, articulate. Makes everything seem easy.

Earl Rivers / Lord Mayor of London:

30s-40s. Earl Rivers: Brother to Queen Elizabeth; looks out for her interests. Well-bred and confident. Richard orders his execution. Lord Mayor:Easily duped by Richard and Buckingham in Richard’s quest to become King.

Lord Grey / Earl of Richmond:

Mid – late 20s. Grey: Son of Queen Elizabeth from an earlier marriage; naturally protective of her. Richmond: The new regime; Richard’s worst fear when he arrives on the scene. Instinctively noble and heroic, he is impressive on the battlefield. Actor must be physically adept and in good shape.

Lord Stanley:

40s-50s. Intrinsically good and moral; has real heart. Manages to survive despite refusal to cooperate with Richard.

Hastings:

50s. A lord. Physically imposing. Earthy. Not easily bullied; maintains his integrity.

Lord Lovel / 1st Murderer / 1st Citizen:

20s-40s. Lovel: Follower of Richards. 1st Murderer: Sent to murder Clarence; displays no conscience about it. 1st Citizen: Ordinary man. Informs his friends of the death of King Edward.

Sir Richard Ratcliffe:

20s-40s. Ally of Richard’s; does his bidding.

Brakenbury / Keeper in the Tower / Sir Thomas Vaughan:

30s-40s. Cares for and guards the prisoners in the Tower.

Catesby / 2nd Murderer / 2nd Citizen:

20s-30s. Catesby: Ally of Richard’s; does his bidding. 2nd Murderer: Sent to murder Clarence; ultimately tells Clarence that Richard ordered his murder. Seems to feel some remorse. 2nd Citizen: Ordinary man who has recently learned of the death of King Edward, and fears for the future.

Tyrell / 3rd Citizen / Norfolk:

20s-30s. Tyrell: Egaged by Richard and Buckingham to murder the two young princes. 3rd Citizen: Ordinary man. Fears the influence of Richard.

Dorset / Urswick:

20s. Dorset: Queen Elizabeth’s son by an earlier marriage; protective of her. Urswick: Richmond’s battlefield ally.

Prince Edward:

Boy (to be played by a young woman). Character is the son of Edward and Elizabeth, and heir to the throne. Intelligent and upright, he is too much of a threat to Richard to be allowed to live. Actor may understudy Lady Anne and Queen Elizabeth.

York:

Boy (to be played by a young woman). Richard, the young Duke of York, a son of Edward and Elizabeth. Clever boy. Actor may understudy Lady Anne and Queen Elizabeth.

Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III):

CAST. Auditioning performers will be considered as possible replacements, should any become necessary. Late 30s – late 40s. Power-hungry younger brother of King Edward IV of England. Schemes to seize control of the throne, and lets no one get in the way of his quest. Brilliant, a master manipulator, articulate.

Statement of casting personnel: “Performers of all ethnic and racial backgrounds are encouraged to attend.”