WANTED – 12 EXCEPTIONAL ACTORS
Auditions are open for my production of ‘The History Boys’
Author: Alan Bennett
Director: Bryce Ives
Synopsis: The History Boys is an irreverent look at the structure and value of educationBritish boy’s boarding school around 1980, a group of eight Senior boys are being groomed for their University exams to Oxford and Cambridge, by two distinctly different teachers: one an older maverick teacher, whose mission to broaden the boys’ horizons sometimes takes undefined directions; the other a younger teacher, who questions both the methods and the aim of the boys’ schooling all together. Characters Boys – age range 18 – 25 but must look like senior secondary school students.
POSNER: The outsider amongst the boys; immature. Sightly younger than the other boys, Jewish. Strong underplayed comic timing is a must. Must have a North English accent. Needs to speak conversational French in the play.
DAKIN: He is the cool, clever one and everyone’s hero, to students and teachers alike. Charismatic, sexy, with a hint of danger to him. Needs to sing with a group in harmony. Must have a North English accent. Needs to speak conversational French in the play.
SCRIPPS : Sort of the narrator (speaks directly to the audience) Devoutly religious but is very open minded, is the balancing person among the boys, often the voice of reason. Needs to play piano, read music and sing with a group in harmony. Must have a North English accent.
RUDGE: The athletic one, he is handsome and somewhat ignored by his teachers. An athlete not considered as intelligent as the other boys but can be very sharp and astute, has an easy going approach to all that goes about him. Lower brow, jock type. Needs sing with a group in harmony. He has a think North Country accent.
LOCKWOOD: An average student. Needs to sing with a group in harmony. Must have a North English accent. Needs a strong sense of comic timing
AKTHAR: Of Middle Eastern/Indian descent. Should have a matriculated Indian / English accent. Needs to sing with a group in harmony.
TIMMS: An awkward boy; eager to be accepted. The jokester, should be large framed. Needs to sing with a group in harmony. Must have a North English accent. Needs a strong sense of comic timing
CROWTHER The lone Black student in the bunch. Of African descent. Studious Needs to sing with a group in harmony. Must have a North English accent.
Teachers
HECTOR: Not a traditional teacher in any way. The central character of the piece. He is a man of studied eccentricity, whose passionate lessons are meant to enrich the hearts of the students, making them “well rounded” people. Considers himself a renaissance man and a devout follower of his own beliefs about education, passionate about the subjects he teaches, cares about his students and comfortably mocks them, can rationalize any behaviour, including his own.
IRWIN: A younger teacher brought in to “polish” the students. 25-30 years old (looks younger) the new teacher. Smart, savvy, a bit sexual yet timid. Irwin teaches style over substance, he knows how to play the game but not participate in it. Must have an English accent.
HEADMASTER Pompous, tight, stiff. Ambitious, wants to build the reputation of the school and will do so at most any cost. Late 50’s and up. Has a proper English accent.
MRS.LINNOT A favourite teacher of the boys, she is the traditionalist of the three teachers. A history teacher and the sensible one, wry sense of humour, principled and dedicated to education, passionate about history, sees all sides, compassionate, funny and feminist. Late 40’s to early 50’s. Also speaks directly to the audience.
Audition dates: Sunday 19th April commencing at 12pm Thursday 23rd April commencing at 7pm Call Backs – Sunday 26th April commencing at 12pm
Audition Venue: Education Foundation City Centre Melbourne Central Shopping Centre
Theatre: Cromwell Road Theatre 27a Cromwell Road South Yarra Season: 18th July to 25th July 2009
For further information or to request an audition package, please email Margaret Fisk, Production Manager at boroondaratheatre@gmail.com or ring 0409 211 293 http://www.boroondaratheatre.com/
