Audition
THE LAST REPUTABLE ACQUAINTANCE OF MR. HYDE
Written and Directed by Alicia Napolitano
A Players Ring theatre production. World Premiere.
Auditions Date & Time: Monday, July 27th 6:30pm-9:30pm
Please arrive at 6 PM and be prepared to stay for the full duration of the audition.
Location: Portsmouth Community Campus
No need to prepare anything: sides will be provided. Just come ready to play!
Callbacks to be held on Saturday, August 1st from 10:30am-12:30pm by invitation only.
Registration deadline: July 20th, 11:59 PM
Performers of all races, ethnicities, body types, genders, and identities are encouraged to audition.
A note from the author and director, Alicia Napolitano:
Quick note! While there is, of course, a fantastical bend to the original narrative that has not changed–Henry Jekyll still devises a serum to do the impossible!–this adaptation focuses far more on the nuanced relationships of a very tumultuous time for same-sex couples than it does on Henry’s scientific journey. Many Jekyll and Hyde adaptations steer into the grand drama of the gothic age. The approach for this production strips away melodrama to portray a raw, truthful story about two men trying to find the balance between their freedom of self-expression and their safety in a world that is widely unaccepting of their identities. Additionally, we’re looking for actors who are as generous and vulnerable as they are bold in what they bring to the rehearsal room. Flexibility, communication, and a genuine love for the process will be necessities as we work collaboratively to bring this new work to life.
Synopsis:
Does burying our truest desires save us, or destroy us from the inside out?
THE LAST REPUTABLE ACQUAINTANCE OF MR. HYDE, is a queer adaptation of the classic novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Years of repressed romantic attraction reach a tumultuous apex as the arrival of an enigmatic housemate forces Henry Jekyll and Gabriel Utterson, the novella’s original narrator, to confront the ways they’ve torn themselves apart to hide from society’s judgement.
Against the backdrop of Victorian London, this adaptation rejects the binary of good vs evil to explore the complexity of humanity, love, and the pressures of societal expectations.
Character Breakdown:
GABRIEL J. UTTERSON (Male, late 20s—early 40s). A lawyer. Upwardly mobile in society. Kind, reserved, but wears his heart on his sleeve–for better or worse. Observant. Though raised in a society of traditional Victorian values, he doesn’t recoil from his feelings for Henry Jekyll, to whom he is deeply loyal and devoted, despite the precarious nature of their relationship. Has a tendency to lose himself in others’ expectations or ideas.
DR. HENRY JEKYLL / MR. EDWARD HYDE (Male, late 20s —mid 40s). An accomplished medical doctor and scientist. Well-respected in society. Hides the pieces of himself that would have his status and safety threatened, despite his innermost desires. / Male, early 30’s – another side of Jekyll’s consciousness. Reckless, impulsive and passionate. He is all that Henry denies within himself, though is still very much a part of him.
DR. HASTIE LANYON (Male, late 20s—mid 40s). A man of tradition and lives by society’s expectations happily. An opinionated gossip and busybody, usually with good intentions. Protective of those he cares for, fiercely so. Humorous, quick-witted and boisterous–a man of many casual friends.
MR or MS POOLE (Any Gender, 40 — 60s). Henry Jekyll’s long-time butler/housekeeper.
Production Details: From 1/8 to 1/24 2027 for a total of 14 performances: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 PM, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 PM.
Rehearsals: There will be a table read on 9/9. Rehearsals will begin on/around 10/5, dependent on actor and director availability.
Pay: This is a paid engagement.
For more information contact Niko McPherson, Production Manager at niko@playersring.org