Two lucky young Londoners will find themselves appearing alongside Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Simon Callow and Ronald Pickup in Waiting For Godot at the Theatre Royal Haymarket next month. Open auditions are being held to find two boys aged 8-14 to perform the role of A Boy in Sean Mathias’s star-studded production of Samuel Beckett’s play.
The two chosen young actors will join another two boys who have already been cast in the production; the quartet will alternate in the role of A Boy in the London run of Waiting For Godot, which begins previews on 30 April and has a press night on 6 May.
Auditions will be held on Saturday 28 March from 08:00 to 13:00 at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in front of Paul Warwick-Griffin, Assistant Director of Waiting For Godot, and Lloyd Wood, Associate Director of the Theatre Royal Haymarket Company. A full information pack about the auditions can be downloaded from http://www.waitingforgodottheplay.com/education/national_auditions/
According to the pack, the company hopes the casting of the role through open auditions “will provide an invaluable learning experience for two young aspiring actors, looking to take their first steps into the world of performance”.
The auditions continue the Theatre Royal Haymarket Company’s commitment to involving young people in theatre, demonstrated by its Saturday term time drama school, summer stage school and close association with Masterclass, the series of free theatrical workshops for young people.
Beckett’s famous 1953 play Waiting For Godot follows two consecutive days in the lives of tramps Vladimir (Stewart) and Estragon (McKellen), who are waiting expectantly and unsuccessfully for the mysterious Godot.
The production is touring the UK prior to the London run and is booking at the Theatre Royal Haymarket until 28 June.
CB