by Rough Fiction
CALL FOR ACTORS: The Ensemble Laboratory & The Love of The Nightingale by Timberlake Wertenbaker | Rough Fiction in association with the Actors Centre
Rough Fiction seeks 5 MALE ACTORS to join its weekly ENSEMBLE LABORATORY and take parts in its new production of THE LOVE OF THE NIGHTINGALE by Timberlake Wertenbaker – a stunning re-telling of the Philomele and Tereus myth about the nature of power and what happens when people are silenced. At a new venue for every performance this ever-changing pop-up production will combine choral folk music and ensemble storytelling. All actors learn 3 parts from the play of varying size and sign up for each pop-up performance depending on their availability.
Based at The Actors Centre since July 2010 the Ensemble Laboratory has provided its members with a free and creative playground to investigate and develop their craft, a sustained ongoing professional development and access to workshops with leading practitioners. Combining work in movement, text and musicality the Laboratory is a place for exploration and risk taking and this production is conceived so as to reflect this, encouraging live and spontaneous relationships between the play, audience and actors. We therefore seek actors who are interested in joining this creative community of highly skilled professionals all of whom commit their time voluntarily based on their share vision and belief.
Dates
Laboratory sessions: 5-hour sessions on Saturday or Sunday at the Actors Centre joining 5th June 2011 | Intensive production rehearsals: 25-29th July and/or 1st-5th August 2011 in London
Performance Dates: one-off pop-up performances on Saturdays and Sundays from August 2011 | Venues: Various TBC. E.g. Tristan Bates Theatre, Northern Stage, Gulbenkian Theatre Kent, Royal and Derngate Northampton, pubs and department stores…
Breakdown
- 5 male actors ranging from early 20’s to late 40’s to join the existing ensemble.
- All actors require versatility, playfulness, a robust physical technique, an able singing voice, and a willingness to work in an ensemble way.
- All actors should hold an interest in attending the laboratory on a regular basis
- Each actor will learn a part from the Male Chorus – requiring a natural storytelling ability and direct connection with an audience – plus two additional characters from this list:
- Soldiers A+B: essentially a comic yet truthful double act between two battle-weary soldiers
- Captain: a stoic, working man of the sea who’s freedom and nature are contained by his position
- Tereus: War-like ruler of Thrace and commander of a feared army. He rapes Philomele after marrying her sister Procne. A sharp and astute tactician. Lead by his heart but unsure in personal relationships. Dangerous and physically strong.
- King Pandion: Athenian King, versed in theatre, philosophy and an intelligent and able ruler. .
- Itys: Young son of Tereus and Procne. Questioning yet aspiring to his father’s example.
- Various parts in the play-within-the-play.
Auditions will be a 1 1/2 hour workshop early evening, Thursday 26th or Friday 27th May at The Actors Centre Covent Garden with possible follow-up meetings the week after. The workshop session will including some physical and vocal exercises and group work on scenes 6 & 8 from The Love of The Nightingale.
Please submit interest and CVs to Simon Pittman at simon@roughfiction.com. The submissions deadline is Monday 23rd May 2011. More information on the ensemble laboratory can be found on our site here
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