Grads’ open Auditions
Open call for EGTG’s EdFringe shows
The Edinburgh Graduate Theatre Group has put out an open for auditions for its two productions which will run at Royal Scots Club during week one of EdFringe 2018.
As previously announced, the company is combining new writing with a classic. The early evening show, starting at 6.30pm, will be skirt, written and directed by Claire Wood. The late evening show, starting at 8.45pm, will be Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, directed by David Grimes.
Auditions will be held in the evening on Wednesday April 18 and the afternoon of Sunday April 22 in the Edinburgh Graduate Association offices at 18 Buccleuch Place. Auditionees need only attend one session.
The Grads say that, in the year where we mark the centenary of women’s right to vote, both plays tackle gender politics – but from very different points of view and from different eras.
“The early evening show is a new script, skirt, which looks at the trials of a working mother in modern day Scotland; and a late-evening rendition of Shakespeare’s classic comedy Much Ado About Nothing and its look at how to act as a daughter and wife.”
Rehearsals will begin on Sunday, May 27 at 7.30pm. Rehearsals will be three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday nights, from 7.30 to 10.30pm each night. The rehearsal schedule will be developed to accommodate any unavailability listed on the audition forms.
Skirt contains four roles for under 18 year olds. Any under 18 year olds involved in a theatrical production now need to get a licence from Edinburgh Council so they will need to fill out some paperwork. The director and assistant director are both PVG checked and will act as chaperone during rehearsals. EGTG’s Child Protection Policy is available on request.
skirt
Claire Woods’ skirt stars Becs, a single mum and leader of the opposition party in Scotland. Her eldest daughter Ellie is about to go off to university while Neve is still at primary school and struggling. It’s the end of the summer and she’s hosting her best friend Nina’s birthday party. Again.
She’s been offered the chance to head up the party at Westminster. But her mum has early onset Alzheimers. Her best friend Nina and her teenage daughters need a bolt hole. And Becs isn’t quite certain that she could do the job anyway.
The party need her to go. Her family and friends need her to stay. Ambition and ego collide with duty and love. Are women ever really free to choose?
Much Ado About Nothing
David Grimes is setting his take on Much Ado About Nothing in May, 1945. The war is over and the Prince and his courtiers, returning from war, have come to visit Leonata and her household.
Upon arrival, Claudio falls in love with the fair Hero. Not content with their own happiness, they conspire to bring their long-suffering cousins, Beatrice and Benedict, together. But Dame Joan, the Prince’s misanthropic illegitimate sister, won’t be content until everyone’s new found happiness has been shattered.
Will true love conquer all? Will Joan’s plot be uncovered? Will Beatrice and Benedict ever stop bickering?!
Listings
Auditions for skirt and Much Ado About Nothing
The Grads Rehearsal Rooms, 18 Buccleuch Place, EH8 9LN
Wednesday 18 April from 7pm & Sunday 22 April 2pm.
Event facebook page: The Grads Fringe Auditions.
skirt
The Royal Scots Club (Venue 241), 29-31 Abercromby Place, EH3 6QE
Monday 6 – Saturday 11 August 2018, 6:30pm.
Tickets will be available from the Grads website: www.egtg.co.uk.
Much Ado About Nothing
The Royal Scots Club (Venue 241), 29-31 Abercromby Place, EH3 6QE
Monday 6 – Saturday 11 August 2017, 8.30pm.
Tickets will be available from the Grads website: www.egtg.co.uk.
skirt cast details
There are five male parts with the potential for doubling and ten female parts (four of which are under 18 – Child Protection Policy is available on request.)
Becs (30s/40s, F): Shadow First Minister.
Giles (40+ M): A senior party member.
Andy (20s/30s, M): Party publicist.
TM (30+ M): UK leader of the opposition.
Ellie (17, F): Bec’s daughter.
Neve (10, F): Bec’s foster daughter.
Nina (30s/40s F): a lawyer, Rebecca’s best friend.
Beatrice (16 F): Nina’s daughter.
Viv (14, F): Nina’s daughter.
Peggy (60s/70s F): Bec’s mother.
Joan (60s/70s F): Peggy’s best friend.
Sonya (50 F): mutual friend, a still single teacher.
Toby (30s/40s M): Handsome, very single, a hot shot lawyer.
Stefan (30s – 50s M): Mutual friend, a social worker, in a long term relationship.
Catriona (30s, F): Married, (not very) pregnant with child 3, trying to be taken seriously at work.
Much Ado About Nothing cast details
Total parts 13, comprising of 6 men, 6 women and 1 part that could be played by ether gender. The ages listed are only the lower limits of playing ages.These ages may be adjusted depending on the audition pool.
Men:
Benedick (55+): Soldier, noble and friend of Don Pedro and Claudio. Long time antagonist of Beatrice.
Borachio 30+): Soldier, mercenary and unscrupulous. A follower of Dame Joan.
Claudio (25+): Soldier, noble, youngest of the troupe. Liked by everyone.
Conrade (25+): Soldier, messenger, easily led astray. A follower of Dame Joan.
Don Pedro (40+): Prince, soldier. Leader of the army and long time friend of Leonata.
Virgil (40+): Hen pecked husband of Dogberry. The constable in name only.
Women:
Beatrice (50+): Niece to Leonata. Wicked wit. Genial and gets along with most. Not to be crossed. Long time antagonist of Benedick.
Dame Joan (35+): Illegitimate, but recognised, sister to Don Pedro. Dour and spiteful. Manipulative and untrustworthy. The villain.
Dogberry (40+): The overbearing wife of Virgil. Assured of her own eminence. Think Haycinth Bucket from Keeping Up Appearances.
Hero (25+): Leonata’s daughter and heir to her fortune. Sweet and innocent.
Leonata (55+): Governess. Contemporary to Beatrice. Honourable, trustworthy and well liked.
Ursula (25+): A gentlewoman attending on Hero. Friend of the family and specifically of Hero. Contemporary to Hero.
Either Gender:
Sexton (35+): An ecclesiastical officer who oversees both marriages and courts.
Links
The Grads website: www.egtg.co.uk/
Facebook: @edingrads
Twitter: @TheGrads
ENDS
