Nell Gwynn by Jessica Swale

“They’ve disgraced our trade. Ruined our art. They’ve put a woman on the stage!”

It is 1660. The Puritans have run away with their drab grey tails between their legs. Charles II has exploded onto the scene with a love of all things loud, French and sexy. And at Drury Lane, Nell Gwynn is selling oranges for sixpence. Little does she know who’s watching. Nell Gwynn, winner of the 2016 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, charts the rise of an unlikely heroine, from her roots in Coal Yard Alley to her success as Britain’s most celebrated actress, and her hard-won place in the heart of the king. But at a time when women are second-class citizens, can her charm and spirit protect her from the dangers of the court? And at what cost?

Production Dates:

• Rehearsals are expected to start in early April with greatest intensity in mid to late May, primarily in a location near Parkdale x Wellington. The rehearsal schedule could include a mix of daytime, evening, and weekend, according to the availability of the cast.
• Production dates are May 29 – June 8, 2019 at The Gladstone. Shows run at 7:30 Tuesday – Saturday, with weekend matinees at 2:30 on both Saturdays and the Sunday. There may also be one or two weekday matinees added during the run, exact date and time tba.

Remuneration:  Actors will be engaged on a profit-share basis. CAEA members, if cast, will be engaged under the Collective Agreement.

Auditions:  Saturday, October 13. Additional dates may be added if needed.

Characters:

Nell Gwynn includes many songs as typical of the period.  All performers will need to sing. We are seeking performers who can also play instruments – please let us know what you can do, and be prepared to sing a short piece acapella, preferably in a period folk style. Bonus points for a naughty song.

Thomas Killigrew – Actor and manager of the King’s Company.

Edward Kynaston – Actor with expertise in female roles. Deeply dismayed by the inclusion of actual women on the stage. Likely doubles as Queen Catherine.

King Charles II – The King.

John Dryden – The playwright. Has been at this a long time.

Lord Arlington – The King’s advisor . Self important and manipulative. Likely doubles with Ned.

Ned Spiggett – Young apprentice in the acting company.  Likely doubles with Arlington.

Please note that the female roles and Charles Hart are already cast.

Artists are encouraged to remove height, weight, age, and other physical information from their resumes when submitting to Three Sisters.  Artists from underrepresented communities are encouraged to audition.

To book an audition, please forward resume and recent headshot to info@threesisterstheatre.ca. Please ensure that electronic files have your name in the file name. If there are constraints on at what time you can audition, please include this information in your email.  If October 13 is not a possibility for you, please submit anyway as we may be able to arrange an alternate day.