Auditions for Two Gentlemen of Verona, our March 2004 production, will be on

Anyone wanting to audition who can't make either date please contact Peter (the Director).

If you're not a member of the Company but would like to know more
please send an email to the director.

(Company Members can find more contact details by logging in).

Here are Peter's notes about the play and the audition:

Love, comedy and a bit with a dog!

How are we going to do it?

Think Hollywood, 1930’s and two young film-makers, Valentine & Proteus, move to the big studio whose boss, the Duke, is the father of the biggest star, Sylvia.
The whole play becomes scenes from a film complete with clapperboard announcements of the location and breaks for musical numbers from Busby Berkeley films carrying the story forward.

The plot:

Valentine goes, with his servant Speed, from Verona to Milan (Hollywood) saying goodbye to his friend Proteus (“Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus; Home loving youth have ever homely wits”).
Presently, Proteus, himself in love with Julia (and she with him) is also ordered by his Father to leave for Milan with his own servant Launce.

Valentine is in love with Sylvia the Duke’s daughter but, as they tell Proteus on his arrival, because the Duke prefers a wealthy suitor, Thurio, they plan to elope.

Proteus becomes infatuated with Sylvia and tells the Duke of Valentine’s plan to elope. The Duke, finding Valentine with a rope ladder wound underneath his cloak, banishes him. Valentine leaves and joins a band of outlaws.

Meanwhile Julia, after discussing her love for Proteus with her maid Lucetta, arrives in Milan dressed as a boy to hear Thurio’s musicians serenading Sylvia (“Who is Sylvia?”). After Thurio has gone, Proteus appears and declares his love for Sylvia which she scorns. Proteus again sends his love to Sylvia through Sebastion, the disguised Julia.

The Duke pursues his escaping daughter and is captured by the outlaws while she is rescued by Proteus.
Valentine attacks Proteus’ treachery, Sebastion swoons and reveals herself to be Julia, the Duke pardons them and there is a correct pairing off (“One feast, one house, one mutual happiness”).

(Read the Lamb's Tales synopsis for additional insight).

The script:

A cut version of the play along with music cues and lyrics will be available in photocopy form for rehearsing. Use any version for the audition.

The Characters:

Duke of Milan	Sylvia’s father and studio boss (Sam Goldwyn?)
Valentine & Proteus	Two young film makers of Verona
Antonio	Father to Proteus
Thurio	Suitor to Sylvia (think director/actor Erich von Stroheim)
Sir Eglamour	Agent for Sylvia in her escape, an English director
Speed	Clownish servant to Valentine
Launce	Clownish servant to Proteus
Panthino	Servant to Antonio
Host	Of Julia in Milan
Julia	A lady of Verona loved by Proteus, think Victor/Victoria
Sylvia	The Duke’s daughter loved by Valentine, look at Ruby Keeler
Lucetta	Julia’s servant, see Joan Blondell
Outlaws	Definitely the California chapter of the Mafia!
Crab	Launce’s dog

Audition pieces:

Proteus & Valentine	II.4 L120
Valentine & Sylvia	II.4 L18
Julia & Lucetta	II.7
Duke, Proteus & Valentine	III.1
Antonio & Panthino	I.3
Speed & Launce	III.1
Duke & Thurio	III.2
Eglamour & Sylvia	IV.3

Not a member?
We welcome new members, both acting and behind the scenes. You can also try out with us as a guest.