Auditions for Litnet's Youtube Shakespeare Theatre!

[NickAdams]

I'll start posting the auditions.

[Janine]

By the way, it is highly recommended that everyone involved in this production watch either or both the 1946 Lawrence Oliver version and 1996 Kenneth Branaugh film adaptions of Hamlet. Though I must warn you; stay away from the Ethan Hawke version at all costs!

I am partial to the Kenneth Branagh production, myself. I have seen the Lawrence Olivier and to be frank, I wasn't all that impressed. I thought his 'to be or not to be speech' lacked something; whereas, Branagh's was perfection and I liked the idea of the mirrors. I also like the production by the BBC, with Sir Derek Jacobi, in his early days (quite young), reprising his stage role for the film. That is a full version as well and extremely well done and intense; more a play setting than the Branagh version. I would recommend any of these. I don't believe the Olivier is full version. I believe it leaves out the any reference to Fortinbras, which to me is a mistake.

[Janine]

I'll start posting the auditions.

You mean what parts people are auditioning for? Surely they haven't shot the video auditions yet or have they? Glad to see this progressing, either way.

[toni]

Play any role that your heart desires, it doesn't matter male or female.

Hey go for it Toni. I think you could be either one, even though you are very pretty; but you could also look very cool made up as a guy role....so who do you have inmind? Perhaps the male roles are more dynamic.

My sentiments exactly, Janine. I've always dreamed of doing a male role onstage or onscreen; but today, just this afternoon, I tried doing Laertes but sounded horribly gay. So I decided right away to stick with Ophelia.

Now we have to think of someone for Ophelia, that is if you don't take it; also Queen Gertrude. I would love to be her (probably just my fantasy and not reality), but I can't act and not sure I could recite well enough, though it is tempting to try it. We'll see...I am so familiar with her lines and I love what she says when Ophelia dies. I have the age/maturity behind me; but then again, someone young could easily play her and probably eons better than I can. I am getting a camera with a video on it; but not sure how long a vid it will take and besides I am camera shy...I better say in the background...I was just thinking outloud and fantasizing.

Ohh come on, Janine. I am very sure that you's be excellent as Queen Gertrude. You should at least give it a try.
And we are doing only audio anyway, so your being camera-shy won't be a problem anymore. Pretty please?

[DanielBenoit]

My sentiments exactly, Janine. I've always dreamed of doing a male role onstage or onscreen; but today, just this afternoon, I tried doing Laertes but sounded horribly gay. So I decided right away to stick with Ophelia.

I was wondering what male role you wanted to try out to be.

By the way, is that Andy Warhol in your avatar?

\*edit*
Also, somebody please tell me that nobody has auditioned for Bernardo?

[NickAdams]

How am I to present the auditions? The don't play on youtube.

[DanielBenoit]

Join an audio hosting site and link your uploads onto there:

try http://odeo.com/ or http://www.audiofarm.org/

[Janine]

Join an audio hosting site and link your uploads onto there:

try http://odeo.com/ or http://www.audiofarm.org/

Daniel, oh wow, I like that first hosting site. Thanks so much for posting it. I think I am going to join that first site today. I found some neat recordings I wish to place in my own playlists. I need to check out the second site more thoroughly; it was late last night when I discovered them both. Tell me, is there anyway to download to ones own computer the audio? I found an interview with Kenneth Branagh, which I really would love to keep for my own files.

[Modigliani]

'Sblood, but this is brilliant. I think I might jump into the fray. I hope you don't mind a newcomer among your contenders.

[xman]

I don't have a microphone. Is that going to be a problem?

By the way, it is highly recommended that everyone involved in this production watch either or both the 1946 Lawrence Oliver version and 1996 Kenneth Branaugh film adaptions of Hamlet. Though I must warn you; stay away from the Ethan Hawke version at all costs!

Bill Murray was the best Polonius ever though. What about the Zeffirelli? I know it has Glen Close in it, but is that any reason to omit it from the list?

[NickAdams]

DanielBenoit's audition for the ghost of Hamlet's father:
http://www.audiofarm.org/audiofiles/...oit-s-audition

Modigliani's audition for Hamlet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGuTyIvUtY0

[xman]

DanielBenoit's audition for the ghost of Hamlet's father:
http://www.audiofarm.org/audiofiles/...oit-s-audition

Modigliani's audition for Hamlet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGuTyIvUtY0

Thank-you very much. We'll call if we're interested.

[Modigliani]

Addendum regarding audition: I realize the music is a mite distracting. Please don't hesitate to contact me for the unmolested footage.

I don't have a microphone. Is that going to be a problem?
Bill Murray was the best Polonius ever though. What about the Zeffirelli? I know it has Glen Close in it, but is that any reason to omit it from the list?

I'm inclined to list Mel Gibson as a reason to omit, but to each his own.

[Janine]

Thank-you very much. We'll call if we're interested.

hahaha, xman....I thought I was the casting director! Nice to see some auditions are in. Thank you both, brave souls. I was frightened of Daniel's'whispering' ghost; a bit creepy; I was taken with Modigliani's full acting (audio/visual) soliloquy (one of my favorite Hamlet speeches)...but cheer up, M...life isn't that dire, is it? I am just joking with both of you; I thought you both did an admirable job. Keep the auditions coming. This is fun!

Anybody hate me yet? I hope I don't make any enemies here. I think too, we should all vote on the final decisions at the end.

toni, thanks for the vote of confidence; but really I don't think I can audition for Hamlet's mom. I can't recite or act at all and she gets pretty intense and emotional and she has a ton of lines...I am already overwhelmed with the thought. One part of me considers doing it; but I don't know. I am so busy with my personal life currently, I don't think I had better commit to a role. I hope you, dear toni, try out for Ophelia. I think you would be great; but I am not prejudging here. Can't wait to hear you audition. Like I said, this is great fun!

[Modigliani]

Only in Elsinore, Janine, only in Elsinore. But in all seriousness (or just the contrary, actually), 'What a piece of work is a man?' is only complete with Guildencrantz & Rosenstern shenanigans at either end to balance out the heaviness. Anyway, thanks for the vote of confidence and here's to a successful virgin production.