Production:

Steel Magnolias

by:

Robert Harling

Additional Audition Date:

Sunday 27 June 2010

Audition Time:

7.30pm

Audition Venue:

St Margaret's Church Hall, Victoria Avenue N3 1BD

Performance Venue:

The Bull, Barnet

Performance Dates:

October 21 - 23 (including matinee on 23)

Directed by:

Catherine Lemmon

Written in 1987, this hilarious and touching play for six women is set in a beauty parlour somewhere in Louisiana. While being pampered by Truvy and her assistant Annelle, the ladies come to catch up on the gossip at ‘Chinquapin’ running the gamut of the birth/marriage/death cycle. When the play moves towards tragedy in the second half, the deep strength and purposefulness of the characters are ultimately revealed, a testament to the enduring nature of the female spirit.

In many ways, the film version of Steel Magnolias, starring Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton and Shirley MacClaine, does not do the play justice. It is a perfectly formed play, not least because of the witty and entertaining dialogue and I envisage it working really well within the intimacy of the Bull Theatre space.

Some of the characters I have likened to the women featured in The Golden Girls series (if any of you remember that!) and these are referenced below.

An ability to master the Southern American accent is important. Think Gone with the Wind or Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

There are no main characters as such; the characters have equal weighting, making consistent appearances throughout the play. This gives the play a harmonious quality, creating an environment in which the actresses can work collaboratively and draw on personal experiences/friendships.

Look forward to seeing you at the audition!

If you would like to audition but cannot make the above date, please contact us (details below). Please note that you do not have to join the GST to audition but everyone in a GST show is required to be a member.

Shelby:

(approx 25) attractive, spunky but sensitive, versatile actress who can do convincing portrayal of the diabetic relapse scene.

M Lynn:

(approx 50’s) good heart, protective and strong mother, experienced and versatile actress who can do grief scene really well.

Truvy:

(approx 40’s) outspoken, wise-cracking, Dolly Parton type (think a younger version of Blanche from Golden girls)

Ousier:

(approx 60’s) Rich curmudgeon, crabby (think a cross between Dorothy and her mother from Golden girls) becomes a bit softer later in the play

Clairee:

(approx 60’s) Glamorous, eccentric millionaire, slightly overweight (think a slightly more intelligent version of Rose from Golden girls)

Annelle:

(19 – 25) shy, mousy, awkward but comes out of herself later in the play when she gets God! Could easily be played by someone in 30’s

Audition pieces – Please use Samuel French edition.

DOWNLOAD AUDITION PIECES HERE

1. Shelby/Clairee/Truvy: pg 8

Truvy: ‘What’s Jackson like?’’………………Truvy: ’West Monroe and Monroe proper.’

2. Shelby & M Lynn: pgs 20 - 21   

M’Lynn: ‘And how are you, honey?...............Shelby: ‘Mama. I want a child.’

3. Truvy/Annelle: pg 2

Annelle: ‘How many ladies do we have this morning?’…………Annelle: ‘I had no idea.’

4. Ousier/M Lynn:  pgs 16 - 17

M Lynn: ‘I’m sorry this whole thing has gotten out of hand,Ouiser………………..Ousier: ‘I am all alone except for my dog.’

5. M Lynn/Annelle: pgs 44 -45

Annelle: ‘We should be rejoicing’……………MLynn: ‘I wish somebody would explain that to my heart.’