Much Ado About Nothing – Auditions

Much Ado About Nothing

by William Shakespeare

directed by Eleanor Thornton

About the Production

This will be the first show Eleanor has directed for OTG, but she has directed a wide variety of plays in the past, including a recent production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which toured in both Britain and US.  Eleanor writes:

Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare’s most memorable and beloved comedies, with a long history of success on the stage. This timeless play boasts a multifaceted plot and showcases some of Shakespeare's most iconic characters. Filled with wit and charm, it's a testament to the enduring appeal of Shakespeare's work. With its sharp humour and insightful commentary on societal norms and romantic entanglements, "Much Ado About Nothing" continues to captivate audiences, making it a must-see this Summer!

This production will be set in an elegant English home in the modern day, highlighting the timelessness of the affairs of the heart. Our approach will not shy away from the universal humour of Shakespeare’s masterpiece, both the witty and the farcical, but will also speak to the depth of emotion and feeling that underpin matters of love. Think sparkling wine, hazy summer sun, string quartets, and gentle chaos!

Important Dates

First Round Auditions:


Recall Audition (by invitation only)


Performances

Recalls

Recalls will be held on Sunday 24th March between 19:30 - 21:30 at St Margaret's Institute. Should you not be free for the recall do say during the audition, do not worry this will not disqualify you from a role. 

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact us here.

Select the button below to complete the audition form (opens in a new window).

Auditions

Auditions will be held in the last two weeks of March for the following 21 characters:

  • Beatrice: Niece of Leonato and cousin of Hero. She is a spirited young woman with sharp wits and a sharper tongue, waging them often against Benedick. At the start of the play, she is perfectly content never to marry.
  • Benedick: An aristocratic soldier fighting for Don Pedro, and friend to Claudio. He is equally as witty as Beatrice and as fond of their verbal sparring as she is. Like her, at the start of the play he has vowed never to love or marry.
  • Hero: The beautiful young daughter of Leonato. She is gentle, and loving, and kind, and a true romantic at heart. She quickly falls in love with Claudio, however falls victim to the play’s antagonists and suffers at their hand.
  • Claudio: Another young soldier fighting under Don Pedro. He falls quickly in love with Hero, however due to his naivete is fooled into believing she is unfaithful and spurns her.
  • Don Pedro: An important nobleman and friend to Leonato, he is the most politically and socially powerful person in the play. He is honest, intelligent, and generous, however not immune to believing the worst in others and being quick to exact his revenge.
  • Leonato: A respected and elderly nobleman, father to Hero and Uncle to Beatrice. He is second only in power to Don Pedro.
  • Don John: The bastard brother of Don Pedro, he is sullen and sneaky by nature. Envious of his brother, he seeks to destroy the happiness of Hero and Claudio, and is the main antagonist of the play.
  • Margaret: Hero’s serving-woman and lover to Borrachio, Don John’s accomplice. Unwittingly, she becomes part of the plot to destroy Claudio and Hero’s love. She is honest, but loves a bawdy joke.
  • Borachio: Don John’s associate, he conspires in the plot. He is generally bumbling and often slightly drunk.
  • Conrad: Don John’s more intimate companion, completely devoted to him.
  • Dogberry: The Constable in charge of the watch. Although he takes his job very seriously, he often misuses words when trying to sound aristocratic.
  • Verges: The deputy of Dogberry.
  • Antonio: Leonato’s brother and Beatrice’s father.
  • Balthasar: A waiting man and musician in Leonato’s court, he helps with the plan to get Beatrice and Benedick to fall in love. Note, confidence singing solo is needed for this role, ability to play the violin desirable but not necessary.
  • Ursula: One of Hero’s waiting women.
  • Friar Francis: A well-meaning, if not somewhat interfering, priest who hatches a plot to get Hero and Claudio back together.
  • Sexton: The man in charge of examining the men captured by the city watch.
  • Watchmen ensemble (x4): Roles including watchmen, messengers, Lords, and attendants.

 

Other than the four watchmen, there will be no doubling of roles. Beatrice, Hero, Claudio, and Benedick will be cast with female- and male-presenting actors respectively in line with the original text; the rest of the parts will be cast gender-blind. If you are auditioning for Balthazar, we may ask that you sing a section from a song of your choosing during the audition.

Performances

Monday 15th - Saturday 27th July at University Parks.