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The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare
Directed by Michael Wilson
Auditions: Wednesday 14th November 8pm, Thursday 15th November 8pm and Sunday 18th November 6pm
Performances: Tuesday 18th - Saturday 22nd March 2008, Prompt Corner
The Winter's Tale is one of Shakepeare's last plays and combines dark tragedy, light-hearted comedy and a magical ending.
Leontes, King of Sicilia becomes convinced that his queen Hermione is being unfaithful with his childhood friend Polixenes, King of Bohemia, and he is consumed with jealousy. In fear for his life Polixenes flees, Hermione is imprisoned, and her new-born daughter is abandoned on a deserted shore. By the end of the first half of the play Leontes' family has been destroyed by his mad passion.
Sixteen years pass and Perdita, the lost daughter, has been raised by shepherds as their own, and is courted by Florizel, the disguised son of Polixenes. The fun and flirtation at the sheep-shearing feast is disrupted when Polixenes discovers his son and threatens to separate the young couple who then flee to Leontes for help......
Shakespeare's play has all the unlikely contrivances and coincidences of a fairy tale – one unfortunate even gets eaten by a bear - but the characters are true to life and as the story unfolds it cannot fail to captivate the audience.
Characters
Except for a few major parts, all actors will play more than one role as indicated. Ages are approximate:
Leontes, King of Sicilia (male, age 30 – 55)
Polixenes, King of Bohemia (male, age 30 – 55)
Hermione, Queen to Leontes (female, age 30 – 40)
Camillo, Lord of Sicilia / Mariner (male, age 30 upwards)
Antigonus, Lord of Sicilia / Servant / Third Gentleman (male, age 40 upwards)
Paulina, wife to Antigonus (female, age 30 – 60)
Mamillius, young prince of Sicilia / Perdita, daughter of Leontes and Hermione (female, age 18 – 30)
Florizel, Prince of Bohemia / Lord (male, age 20 – 30)
Cleomenes, Lord of Sicilia / Second Gentleman (male or female, any age)
Dion, Lord of Sicilia / First Gentleman (male or female, any age)
Autolycus, a rogue / Lord / Officer of the Court (male, age 30 – 50)
Shepherd, reputed father of Perdita / Jailer (male, age 40 upwards)
Clown, son of Shepherd / Lord (male, age 25 – 40)
Emilia, Lady to Hermione / Dorcas, a shepherdess (female, age 20 – 40)
Mopsa, a shepherdess / Lady / Servant / Lord (female age 20 – 40)
For more details, please contact Michael Wilson, Director
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