WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY AUDITIONS
Auditions for ‘Whose Life Is It Anyway?’ and ‘Holding the Man’ will both be held on July 7th in
Hampstead Garden Suburb Free Church Hall, Northway, London NW11 6PB (MAP)
WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY AUDITION TIME - 5.30-7PM
HOLDING THE MAN AUDITION TIME - 7.15-9.30pm
DIRECTOR: Tim Solomons
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Joann Moore
PLEASE REGISTER TO AUDITION HERE - https://forms.gle/viW4B9EekhxeG8QbA
4 Performances at:
Upstairs at the Gatehouse from 3rd to 6th October 2024 @ 7:30pm
(except Sunday which will be at 4:00pm).
The play is set mostly in a hospital room and the action revolves around Claire Harrison, a sculptor by profession, who has been paralysed from the neck down in a car accident and is determined to be allowed to die. Clark presents arguments both in favour of, and opposing, the right to die and examining to what extent the government should be allowed to interfere in the life of a private citizen. In portraying Claire as an intelligent woman with a useless body, he leaves the audience with conflicting feelings about the patient’s desire to end her life. The various characters present different aspects of the argument with rounded, sympathetic personalities.
The hospital bed is the centre of the action, which means that Claire is necessarily onstage throughout the play. Some scenes are set in other parts of the hospital (the corridor/doctor’s office) and the position of these will be indicated minimally on stage. The audience will be seated on three sides of the acting area as usual.
The audition will probably come from the excerpts below and if you wish to be considered for more than one part we may only hear you read for one. You do not need to memorise the excerpts, just familiarise yourself with them. If you particularly wish to read another excerpt, let us know beforehand and we’ll see what we have time for:
Pages 11-20: Claire, Kay, Sister, John, Dr Scott
Pages 55-57: Helen Hill and Dr Emerson
Pages 81-85: Claire, Justice Millhouse, Helen Hill, Dr Emerson. Dr Scott
With regards to incidental and background music, we will be finding our own so anyone who is interested in using their creative skills in this area would be very welcome.
The theatre will be dressed to resemble a hospital from the first point the audience enter the staircase at the Gatehouse with hospital signs, logos etc. put up throughout. Anyone interested in designing, or managing this aspect, with help from the cast and team, please come forward.
We will be rehearsing two weekday evenings (probably Tuesday, and Thursday) and Sunday afternoons from August 2024 but final times and days will depend on the cast’s availability but at some point we will have to fix this and everyone will need to make themselves available for all, or most, of the rehearsals. All must be available for the full week of the show 3rd to 6th October 2024 because full involvement in the technical/dress rehearsals will be vital to the smooth running of the show.
Cast will also be expected to be involved in publicising the show as well as attending and helping with the get-in and striking.
My descriptions are not set in stone. Please feel free to audition for any part you wish to regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or any other enriching variable you wish to bring along.
If you have any questions about the show or this audition notice, please feel free to contact us on whoselife@gardensuburbtheatre.org.uk. We have PDF copies available for reading.
Please register your interest by filling in the audition form at:
https://forms.gle/viW4B9EekhxeG8QbA
You do not have to be a member to audition, but if you get a part you will need to join in order to perform. You can read all our membership options here.
Before auditioning, please ensure you are available for the show dates, and every evening of the production week leading up to the first performance as you will be needed for tech and dress rehearsals.
Characters:
Claire Harrison (F, 35): The Patient. A sculptor but now paralysed from the neck down after a car accident. Obviously intelligent and must give the impression of being full of vigour and having had a lot of life left in her before the accident.
Sister Anderson (F 30-50): Has to have an air of authority but is not as tough as she likes to appear.
Nurse Kay Sadler (F, 18-25): A student nurse, who is keen to learn and do the right thing. Initially is a little unsure as to how to react to Claire. Appears to be annoyed by John’s attentions but secretly is quite flattered by them.
John(M, 18-30): A ward orderly. West Indian, according to the text; therefore ideally played by a black actor, though this is not a must. Constantly joking and is frank in his views of keeping someone alive in Claire’s circumstance, though he is not unkind.
Dr Scott (M, 25-40): A registrar. Though a doctor, he is very understanding of Claire’s point of view. Personable enough to be fancied by both Claire and Helen Hill.
Dr Michael Emerson (M, 45-65): Consultant physician, very strong in his somewhat old-school views. Believes in doing the right thing and that means keeping a patient alive at all costs.
Helen Hill (M, 30-45): A solicitor. Pragmatic and believes her first duty is to her client. A good listener. COULD BE DOUBLED WITH MARGARET BOYLE
Margaret Boyle - (F/M, 30-55): A social worker, who is desperately keen to help Claire but strikes the wrong note. Professional but not very imaginative. Could be played by a male or female. COULD BE DOUBLED WITH HELEN HILL
Justice Millhouse (F/M, 50-70): Key role in the final scene. Has gravitas, tempered with humanity. Could be played by a male or female.
Judge’s Clerk/ General Staff/Stage
Hands/Radio Announcer - (M or F, any age): Non-speaking roles or recorded. May not be cast or even needed or may stage crew with.
PLEASE REGISTER TO AUDITION HERE - https://forms.gle/viW4B9EekhxeG8QbA