Auditions - South Pacific
Production: November 2011
A further auditions evening will be held on Thursday 17 March from 7.30pm, for anyone wishing to try for a role in our November production of South Pacific.
We are particularly looking to cast Emile de Becque and Bloody Mary, as well as more performers of all ages for the smaller parts and chorus/ensemble. See below for details about the characters.
The venue for auditions is Mill Lodge School, Aqueduct Road, Shirley, B90 1BT (see the bottom of the page for map directions). There may also be further call-back auditions.
A description of each character with vocal ranges is given below. Please telephone Producer, Veronica Walsh, on 0121-705 3914 if you want to audition.
Rehearsals will begin in March.
BRIEF SYNOPSIS
Set in an island paradise during World War II, two parallel love stories are threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. Nellie, a nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with a mature French planter, Emile. Nellie learns that the mother of his children was an island native and, unable to turn her back on the prejudices with which she was raised, refuses Emile’s proposal of marriage.
Meanwhile, the strapping Lt. Joe Cable denies himself the fulfillment of a future with native girl Liat, with whom he’s fallen in love, out of the same fears that haunt Nellie. When Emile is recruited to accompany Joe on a dangerous mission that claims Joe’s life, Nellie realizes that life is too short not to seize her own chance for happiness, thus confronting and conquering her prejudices.
This show magically brings to life the atmosphere of the South Pacific, and the combination of an extremely good story and a wonderful score results in one of the best-loved musicals ever written.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
The show is a classic Rodgers & Hammerstein piece. A list of characters is given below and you will need to prepare at least one song from South Pacific and/or another Rodgers & Hammerstein song, or similar, which suits the the role(s) you wish to audition for.
The Musical Director will have the score of South Pacific to play from at the auditions. If you plan also to sing something else, please bring along the piano sheet music or a suitable backing track on CD.
You will also be asked to character-read from the script at the audition and may be given dance moves to try out (so please come in comfortable shoes).
You can listen to/download samples of the songs or whole tracks from the 1958 film soundtrack recording or the more recent 2008 Broadway recording of South Pacific at amazon.co.uk. There are also various examples or other productions on YouTube.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
NELLIE FORBUSH - Age Range: 25 - 30. Vocal Range: Mezzo (A below middle C - C mid-stave)
A feisty but somewhat naïve young nurse from Arkansas. Something of a tomboy with an optimistic outlook. Competent dance required.
EMILE de BECQUE - Age Range: 35 - 45. Vocal Range: Bass/Baritone - operatic.
A mature, sophisticated, wealthy French planter. Good French accent required.
LT. JOSEPH CABLE - Age Range: 25-30. Vocal Range: Tenor (E - High G)
A handsome and intelligent Lieutenant with a bright future in the US Navy.
LUTHER BILLIS - Age Range: 25 - 45. Vocal Range: Baritone
A loveable character who provides his fellow marines with much needed comic relief. Does not respect authority. Enterprising. Stubborn character. Adores Nellie.
BLOODY MARY - Age Range: 30-40. Vocal Range: Mezzo (G below middle C - F top of stave)
A shrewd merchant native to the island, who makes a fortune from the sailors. Full of local character. Mother of Liat.
NGANA and JEROME - Age Range: 6-12. Vocal Range: Child
Emile's children. French accent required.
Emile's native servant. French accent required - speaks French.
GEORGE BRACKETT - Age Range: 40+.
LIAT - Age Range: 16-20. Non Singing
WILLIAM HARBISON - Age Range: 25-40.
'STEWPOT' GEORGE WATTS - Age Range: 25-40.
PROFESSOR - Age Range: 50+.
A strong and vibrant ensemble of singers and dancers of all ages will be needed for this production. There is also a large selection of other supporting roles within the show. There are many parts on offer for a busy, active ensemble, including LT. BUZZ ADAMS, YEOMAN HERBERT QUALE, RADIO OPERATOR BOB McCAFFREY, SEABEES, SAILORS, MARINES, SHORE PATROLMAN, NURSES, ENSIGNS, ISLANDERS, NUNS, OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS.
SONG LIST Overture Orchestra Dites-Moi Ngana and Jerome A Cockeyed Optimist Nellie Twin Soliloquies Nellie and Emile Some Enchanted Evening Emile Bloody Mary Sailors, Seabees, and Marines There is Nothing Like a Dame Billis, Sailors, Seabees, and Marines Bali Ha'i Bloody Mary I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out-a My Hair Nellie A Wonderful Guy Nellie and Nurses Younger Than Springtime Cable Entr'Acte Orchestra Happy Talk Bloody Mary and Liat Honey Bun Nellie, Billis and Ensemble You've Got to Be Carefully Taught Cable This Nearly Was Mine Emile Finale Emile, Nellie, Ngana and Jerome
If you require any further information, please ring Producer Veronica Walsh on 0121-705 3914 or email us.