Casting "The Man Who Laughs," to be produced as the playwright's undergraduate senor thesis project. It will be performed as a staged reading, with actors on book and performing simple blocking.
Rehearsal and Production Dates
Runs June 9th and 10th at the University of California, Riverside.
Rehearsals will be scheduled around the actors' availability.
Synopsis
"The Man Who Laughs", based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo, is set in England, beginning in the year 1690. Gwynplaine, the son of the rebellious Lord Clancharlie, is disfigured with a Glasgow smile by orders of King James II so the boy may "laugh at his foolish father". Having fled the men who disfigured him and knowing nothing of his noble background, Gwynplaine survives a deadly blizzard, rescues a blind infant girl named Dea, and finds shelter with an unlikely patriarch, Ursus. Gwynplaine grows up performing in the carnivals of England, where his grin forever marks him as “The Man Who Laughs”. By 1705, Gwynplaine, Ursus, and Dea are performing at London’s Southwark Fair. Gwynplaine and Dea fall deeply in love, but when their show attracts the attention of the sensuous Duchess Josiana, her fetishistic lust for the disfigured Gwynplaine threatens to tear the two lovers apart. Meanwhile, the devious Barkilphedro, a malicious servant of Queen Anne, uncovers Gwynplaine's aristocratic origins, with tragic results.
Seeking Talent
Gwynplaine: (Lead, male, 20-25) As a young boy, Gwynplaine was disfigured with a Glasgow smile, giving his mouth the appearance of an eerily comical grin, as punishment for the actions of his father, a rebellious nobleman. Knowing nothing of his aristocratic background, Gwynplaine grows up performing as a clown in the carnivals of England, working alongside Dea, a blind girl. He is madly in love with Dea but feels unworthy of her affections because of his deformity. He is kind towards those even less fortunate than him, much to the dismay of his adopted father, the gruff peddler, Ursus, whose motto is, "Man is a wolf to man". Note: The actor cast will also read several scenes in which Gwynplaine appears as a child (10 years old).
Duchess Josiana: (Lead, female,20-26)The younger sister of Queen Anne, Josiana is bored with aristocratic life and, consequently, despises it. She is always seeking the latest scandal and would love nothing more than to find something to disgrace herself, her class, and her family. She is a masochist with a fetish for physical deformities.
Lord David Dirry-Moir: (Supporting, male, 36-45)Gwynplaine’s elder half-brother, a bastard child, who is now enjoying the estates of Lord Clancharlie in Gwynplaine’s absence. He lives as if he is in his 20s rather than his 40s and, to escape the dull routine of noble life, he often sneaks out disguised as a commoner. He is betrothed to Duchess Josiana.
Barkilphedro: (Supporting, male, 55-60) A servant to the crown who, although loyal, simultaneously loathes those he serves. He lusts after Josiana and, when she refuses him, he becomes determined to ruin her.
Dr. Hardquanonne: (Supporting, male, 40-60) The surgeon who disfigured Gwynplaine, he is a member of a group of Gypsies known as the Comprachicos (Spanish for “child-buyers”). The Comprachicos make their living by mutilating children to sell as oddities to circuses and nobles.
Master Nicholas: (Supporting, male, 35-50) The innkeeper of the Tadcaster Inn, near London's Southwark Fair.
Audition Submission Instructions
Auditions are Saturday, May 24th, by appointment only. To schedule a time, please contact the playwright, Alicia Nyblade, at (760) 855-7358
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