Auditions for our 30th Annual Shakespeare
We are calling for auditions are for a bold, contemporary production of King Lear to be directed by Elspeth Cotsilinis. Production will be 19–28 February 2026 in Eastbourne. Rehearsals begin in November. We welcome performers of all backgrounds and experience.
Key Characters
Goneril – Lear’s ambitious eldest daughter, ruthless and politically sharp (Female)
Regan – Lear’s middle daughter, cunning and cruel (Female)
Cordelia – Lear’s youngest daughter, honest and principled (Female)
Gloucester – A noble whose blindness mirrors King Lear’s (Any gender)
Edgar – Gloucester’s legitimate heir, forced into disguise and exile (Any gender)
Edmund – Gloucester’s illegitimate son, charismatic and manipulative, hungry for power (Male)
Kent – Lear’s loyal advisor, who risks everything to stay close to the king (Any gender)
The Fool – Lear’s truth-teller, witty and wise, often the voice of reason (Any gender)
Albany – Goneril’s husband, morally conflicted and slow to act (Male)
Cornwall – Regan’s husband, cruel and authoritarian (Male)
Oswald – Goneril’s steward, opportunistic and self-serving (Any gender)
In addition to the key characters there are several smaller roles including suitors, servants, tenants, and soldiers.
A storm of raw emotion, political intrigue, and poetic chaos — this is a chance to be part of something unforgettable.
Auditions take place 18th October 2025. To register your interest email auditions.bctt@gmail.com