Audition Notice- Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
Director: Rebecca Moran
Written by Rona Munro
Audition Dates 2nd July 2023 10am- in Chorley Theatre Studio
Performance Dates: 16th-21st October 2023
Please note all actors must be over-16 except for the part of William
Synopsis:
An inventive adaptation of the classic gothic novel
A young scientist by the name of Frankenstein breathes life into a gruesome body. Banished into an indifferent world, Frankenstein’s creature desperately seeks out his true identity, but the agony of rejection and a broken promise push him into darkness. Dangerous and vengeful, the creature threatens to obliterate Frankenstein and everyone he loves, in a ferocious and bloodthirsty hunt for his maker.
In this recent adaptation, 18-year-old Mary Shelley is placed in the heart of her masterpiece as she wrestles with what she has created.
Parts Available:
Now the part everyone skips to… the parts!
Please note, the ages and genders are only there as a rough guide if you want to go for something, go for it! I will be considering many different factors when casting but overall it will come down to the performance and the way people fit with the rest of the cast.
Mary Shelley (playing age 18)
THE Mary Shelley. Based on the writer of the book Frankenstein, Mary is a big big part, she is on stage for the entire show so needs to be a confident and preferably experienced performer. We follow Mary as she develops what is regarded to be the first horror novel,she needs to be able to hold an audience and convey the horror of the monster she has created.
Frankenstein (playing age 19)
Not to be confused with Frankenstein’s Monster, Victor Frankenstein is a young scientist who after experiencing grief becomes interested in re-animating the dead. Victor is consumed by his work and pushes away the ones he loves. He becomes obsessive, paranoid and terrified of what he creates. Victor is another massive character in the show, he is also on stage for the entire show so needs to be a confident and ideally an experienced performer. This part is a great opportunity to show a great deal of range.
The Monster (Any age)
Frankenstein’s creation, the Monster is a mixture of different bodies re-animated. This part is a great opportunity to play with physicality- starting more clumsily but becoming confident as the Monster gains more experience in his body and the human world. The Monster becomes resentful towards his creator after realising he has been born into a world that will not accept him, as this anger grows he becomes a dark looming presence over Victor and his family. Although this character is only introduced midway through act 1, the Monster is still a really big role.
Elizabeth (playing age 19)
Elizabeth is Frankenstein’s love interest and shows a great level of patience with Frankenstein. Elizabeth is a secondary character that embodies everything that is pure.
Henry (playing age 18+)
Frankenstein’s closest friend, Henry is quite curious about Frankenstein’s work and does his best to be supportive, however, he sometimes acts as the voice of reason when Frankenstein becomes obsessive.
Walton (18+)
Walton is a determined explorer who comes across Frankenstein while on a ship in the Arctic. Walton appears at both the start and the end of the play but this character may double up as ensemble roles.
Master (40+)
Master comes across Frankenstein while on a ship in the Arctic. Master appears at both the start and the end of the play but this character may double up as ensemble roles.
Waldman(40+)
Professor Waldman is a middle-aged academic at the University of Ingolstadt, He initially encourages Victor’s experiments and curiosity
Justine (20s-30s playing age)
Justine is a servant to the Frankensteins but feels like part of the family. She is a smaller character but plays a pivotal role.
Father (40+)
Victor’s Father,is a key member of the Frankenstein family and has a few key emotional scenes.
William (playing age is 12, interested in auditioning both teenagers and young adults for this role)
William is the 12 year old younger brother of Victor Frankenstein, he is a smaller character but is involved in a scary key scene.
Please note if you are under the age of 16/ are still in high school you must be accompanied by an adult at the audition.
Mother (30+)
Victor Frankenstein’s Mother, this is a smaller role, but may double as ensemble in some scenes.
Peter (40+)
Peter is one of the family members the monster comes across and learns from. He is blind so does not judge the monster by the way he looks and because of this is the only character to show the monster compassion. This character plays the guitar
Safie (18+)
Safie is one of the family members the Monster comes across and learns from, She is a smaller character that only appears in act two, she speaks Turkish*.
Agatha (18+)
Agatha is one of the family members the Monster comes across and learns from, She is a smaller character that only appears in act two and is the daughter of Peter and the sister of Felix.
Felix (18+)
Felix is one of the family members the Monster comes across and learns from, he is a smaller character that only appears in act two, he is the son of Peter and the brother of Agatha- this part may however double up as ensemble parts.
If you have any questions, are unable to attend the audition date or would like to request audition pieces please email rebeccam.frankenstein@gmail.com or drop us a message on our Facebook page @chorleytheatre
