Directed by Emanuel Garcia
Performances 19,20,21 July and 26,27,28 July
AUDITIONS
21 & 22 April 2pm – 5pm at Muritai School Hall, Muritai Road, Eastbourne
Production Script of John Gabriel Borkman
Director’s notes for the audition.
The cast, with Ibsen’s descriptions, are indicated below. I will be looking for resonant and flexible voices and grace of movement. We will be attempting to reveal Ibsen’s world through creative lighting, soundscape and a set that reflects the imposing presence of the Norwegian countryside. I am not concerned about actual age, but about the actor’s ability to portray the characters. If I indeed have a ‘vision’ of Borkman, it is to allow as much scope to Ibsen as possible, and to respect the intricate subtlety, poetry and psychological complexity of the play. Munch’s ‘Starry Night’ (in the above logo) is a marvelous pictorial condensation.
Auditioners are of course encouraged to familiarise themselves with the play beforehand. Please be prepared to present a brief soliloquy of your choosing (from anything, not necessarily Ibsen) and to read excerpts from Borkman as requested. I am not so much interested in preparation but in responsiveness to my style of direction, which will allow a great deal of individual creativity, and will be dependent upon mastery of lines. The play will not be ‘modernised’ or set along an Amazonian tributary: it will occur in late 19th century Norway, but with what I hope will be a ‘clean’ and relatively timeless look. The towering winter of the Norwegian mountains will be a constant visual and aural presence.
Characters are listed as follows
| JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN | Formerly Managing Director of a Bank.Of middle height, a well-knit, powerfully-built man, well on in the sixties. His appearance is distinguished, his profile finely cut, his eyes piercing, his hair and beard curly and greyish-white. He is dressed in a slightly old-fashioned black coat, and wears a white necktie. |
| MRS. GUNHILD BORKMAN | His wife.An elderly lady, of cold, distinguished appearance, with stiff carriage and immobile features. Her abundant hair is very grey. Delicate transparent hands. Dressed in a gown of heavy dark silk, which has originally been handsome, but is now somewhat worn and shabby. |
| ERHART BORKMAN | Their son, a student.A young man with bright cheerful eyes. He is well dressed; his moustache is beginning to grow. |
| MISS ELLA RENTHEIM | Mrs. Borkman’s twin sister.Resembles her sister, but her face has rather a suffering than a hard expression. It still shows signs of great beauty, combined with strong character. She has a great deal of hair, which is drawn back from the forehead in natural ripples, and is snow-white. She is dressed in black velvet, with a hat and a fur-lined cloak of the same material. |
| MRS. FANNY WILTON. | A strikingly handsome, well-developed woman in the thirties. Broad, red, smiling lips, sparkling eyes. Luxuriant dark hair. |
| VILHELM FOLDAL | Subordinate clerk in a Government office.A bent and worn man with mild blue eyes and long, thin grey hair straggling down over his coat collar. He has a portfolio under his arm, a soft felt hat, and large horn spectacles, which he pushes up over his forehead. |
| FRIDA FOLDAL | His daughter.A pretty, pale girl of fifteen, with a somewhat weary and overstrained expression. She is cheaply dressed in light colours. |
| MRS. BORKMAN’S MAID. | (We can be creative with age/type, looks!) |
To book an Audition slot:
If you are interested in giving it a go, please respond below with your details (& contact #) to set up specific rehearsal slots. Your reply will not be visible on the site.
Alternatively e-mail Manny at emanuelegarcia@gmail.com