| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  previous
|
current show |
|
|
Salome
by Oscar Wilde
|
|
Dates Tues 29th May to Sun 3rd June 7.30pm (6.30 Sun) Tickets: £12 (£8 concessions), two for the price of one on 'Thrifty Thursday' Venue: Barons Court Theatre, below 'The Curtain's Up' pub Comeragh Road, Fulham, London W14 9HR Bookings: 020 8932 4747 | ||
|
CAST AUDITIONS:Please read the play before auditioning. Playing ages do not need to reflect actor's actual ages and are simply a guide the approx ages of the characters. The casting of most of the roles is flexible, as is gender and ethnicity, but it would great to get a good mix, nothing is too fixed at this stage. In addition to the performance dates, all cast and crew must be available all day Monday 28 May for the get-in. Initial Audition: 7.00pm Thursday 22 March, in the School Room, Welsh Congregational Hall, 90 Southwark Bridge Road, SE1 OEX (find on Google Maps). Recalls and Dance Audition (for the role of Salome): 12.00 noon Sunday 27 March at London Focus, Colet Court 100 London Road, Hammersmith, W6 7JP (find on Google Maps). There will be a short physical/vocal warm-up. Please bring a prepared classical speech; you may also be asked to sight read from Salome. Some waiting around is probably inevitable but please be punctual. To register for audition, or to find out more, email barrie@cp-theatre.org.uk. The Characters: Salome (playing age 17-25): A young Princess, spoilt, not used to being told no, which makes Jokanaan’s refusal of her advances so maddening to her and deadly to him. This is a major acting role especially as she is involved in all three of the major duologues that form the core of the piece. But the actress must be prepared and able, (working with the choreographer), to dance in a provocative manner. The costume may be revealing but nudity is not required. Jokanaan (playing age 25-40): John the Baptist imprisoned for speaking out against the incestuous marriage of Herod to Herodias (his brother’s widow). He continues to rail against them from his prison. When confronted by Salome, he openly scorns her attempts at seduction and this ultimately leads to his death. The character makes a lot of his speeches from off stage, so a strong voice and the ability to convey vocal emotion will be essential. Herod (playing age 35-45): The Tetrarch of Judea, he is a King in all but name, all powerful and all corrupt. He is basically a big spoilt baby unused to criticism, except perhaps from his wife. He is totally self indulgent and degenerate, lusts after his step-daughter, perhaps seeing her as his next wife, and this leads to him sacrifice Jokanaan at her whim. Herodias (playing age 35-45): Wife to Philip the previous Tetrarch, she is thought to have been involved in his murder to enable her to marry Herod, but this marriage is turning sour too. Insecure and accused of incest by Jokanaan, she encourages Salome to ask for his head, but is not keen on her daughter dancing for Herod as she recognises his lust. She is glamorous, hard, sexy and manipulative. Captain of the Guard (playing age 18-25): Young man recently promoted by Herod, he is romantic and naïve; deeply in love with Salome he kills himself when he sees her infatuation with Jokanaan. Page (playing age 18-25): Another young and romantic figure, in love with the Captain and devastated by his suicide, watches with increasing horror as events unfold. Can be played by an actor of either gender. Two Soldiers (playing ages 20-60): Guarding the terrace where the action takes place and the cell where Jokanaan is being held, initially fairly bored, they become witnesses to all the action and end by helping to kill Salome. Can be played by actors of either gender Naaman (playing age 20+): This is the Executioner, has previously killed Herodias’ former husband and is now called upon to kill Jokanaan which he also efficiently carries out, will also assist in killing Salome at the conclusion of the play. This character is mute and can be played by an actor of either gender. Ensemble (playing ages 18-80): There are several small roles, which we intend to divide between seven or eight actors of either gender, playing servants, religious leaders, ambassadors, courtiers etc. There will be a fair amount of stage time; not many lines but a chance to be involved.
|
|
CREW
PRODUCTION NOTES Salome is a million miles from the arch social comedies we are apt to think of as being exclusively Wilde's work. He had a great interest in symbolist drama and this is his finest. Banned from public performance in Britain until 1931, Salome is one of the most controversial works by a controversial playwright.Herod: “Dance for me Salome, I beseech you” This production focuses not only on the narrative, but the beauty of the language, the themes of symbolism, madness, sexual deviancy, religious intolerance and persecution. The setting will be simple but the costumes more elaborate and colourful, suggesting a mood rather than a specific time and place. The action of the play takes place on a moonlit terrace during Herod’s birthday party, his stepdaughter the Princess Salome is attracted to, but rejected by, Jokanaan (John the Baptist) and agrees to dance the infamous “Dance of the Seven Veils” for her stepfather in return for the prophet’s head on a silver platter. While she gloats over her prize Herod, finally appalled by his own and her actions orders her death. So as Salome finally kisses Jokanaan in a beam of moonlight she is killed. Salome: “I will dance for you, Tetrarch”
Click here for background to the play and it's inspirations.
|
|
| ||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
')