“Pride and Prejudice”
Jane Austen’s celebrated novel “Pride and Prejudice” comes to life at GreenMan Theatre this fall.
Auditions will be held at the First United Methodist Church at 232 S. York Rd. in Elmhurst, Sunday August 16 at 1 pm and Monday and Tuesday, August 17-18 at 7:00 p.m.
Performances begin October 16 and run three weekends through November 1.
"Pride and Prejudice" is an ensemble cast of 16, 10 women and 6 men, ages and age ranges are suggested from the novel - descriptions are from the novel
Women:
Mrs. Bennet, age range 40-50, "a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news."
Jane Bennet, age 22, "[She is] a great deal too apt ... to like people in general. [She] never sees a fault in any body. All the world are good and agreeable in [her] eyes. I never heard [her] speak ill of a human being in my life.'' According to Darcy, "she smiled too much."
Elizabeth Bennet, age 20, "Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sisters.'' "She had a lively, playful disposition." "But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends thatshe had hardly a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes."
Mary Bennet, age 19, constantly moralizing, "she was eagerly succeeded at the instrument by her sister Mary, who having, in consequence of being the only plain one in the family, worked hard for knowledge and accomplishments, was always impatient for display."
Kitty Bennet, age 18, "Catherine, weak-spirited, irritable, and completely under Lydia's guidance, had been always affronted by [her sisters'] advice; and Lydia, self-willed and careless, would scarcely give them a hearing. They were ignorant, idle, and vain. While there was an officer in Meryton, they would flirt with him." Doubles Miss de Bourgh ["pale and sickly"].
Lydia Bennet, age 16, "I am not afraid; for though I am the youngest, I'm the tallest.'' "[Lydia] will, at sixteen, be the most determined flirt that ever made herself and her family ridiculous."
Miss Bingley, age range 20-30, one of Bingley's sisters - "They were in fact very fine ladies, not deficient in good humour when they were pleased, nor in the power of being agreeable where they chose it; but proud and conceited. They were ... in every respect entitled to think well of themselves, and meanly of others." Doubles Mrs. Phillips and townsperson.
Mrs. Hurst, age range 25-35, one of Bingley's sisters, married to Mr. Hurst. Doubles Mrs. Gardiner, and townsperson.
Charlotte Lucas, age 27, "a sensible, intelligent young woman was Elizabeth's intimate friend." Doubles as a townsperson.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh, age range 45+, Darcy's aunt, "a tall, large woman, with strongly-marked features, which might once have been handsome. Her air was not conciliating... Whatever she said was spoken in so authoritative a tone as marked her self-importance" Doubles as a townsperson.
Men:
Mr. Bennet, age range 45-55, "a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice." "He was fond of the country and of books; and from these tastes had arisen his principal enjoyments." Especially fond of Elizabeth.
Mr. Darcy, age 28, a "fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien," "from the first moment ... of my acquaintance with you, your manners, impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others." "Never had he spoken with such gentleness as on this unexpected meeting."
Mr. Bingley, age 22, Darcy's friend, "the most amiable man of my acquaintance," "good looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners," "has great natural modesty." Doubles Colonel Fitzwilliam [Darcy's cousin].
Mr. Collins, age 25, cousin and heir to Mr. Bennet, "[he was] not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little assisted by education or society." "A conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, silly man."
Mr. Wickham, age range 25-35, "His appearance was greatly in his favour; he had all the best part of beauty -- a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address." "I am afraid he has turned out very wild.'' Doubles Mr. Hurst - "He was an indolent man, who lived only to eat, drink, and play at cards."
Sir William, doubles Mr. Denny and Mr. Gardiner, age range variable. Sir William is Charlotte's father. Mr. Denny is an aquaintance of Wickham's in the militia. Mr. Gardiner is Mrs. Bennet's brother.
Appointments for auditions are not required. There is no pay.
Volunteers are also needed to assist the production team in several areas.
For mor information about auditions or volunteer positions, call 630-464-2646.
Set in the early 1800’s, “Pride and Prejudice” is the comic love story of strong willed Elizabeth Bennet and the equally strong willed Mr. Darcy. There are five unmarried daughters in the Bennet household. When two handsome strangers, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley, move into the neighborhood, Elizabeth’s mother, Mrs. Bennet, decides that Mr. Bingley would be a good match for one of her daughters. “Pride and Prejudice” has delighted generations of readers and has been adapted into several popular films.
GreenMan will be performing “Pride and Prejudice” in an adaptation by Christina Calvit. Her adaptation originally premiered at Chicago’s Lifeline Theatre in 1986, and the production won three Joseph Jefferson Awards including one for New Adaptation. Calvit has written over a dozen awarding-winning adaptations which have been performed throughout the United States, including “Angus,” “Full-Frontal Snogging” and “The Talisman Ring.”
