Mercury’s Wings recently held auditions for Twelfth Night to be directed by Jennifer Flowers and being very capably assisted by Claudine Stephen-Smith. The standard on the day was high and we found some real gems.
Jennifer was extremely generous with all who auditioned, offering direction and textual advice, so that all could be their best in the day. Auditions are hard at the best of times, so we are grateful for her understanding spirit. I personally remember an horrific experience with Bell Shakespeare some years ago, I was a little ‘greener’ then, but was made to feel like an ant.
It became apparent to me on the day that there is a large gap in the teaching of Shakespeare. As an actor and a teacher I am stunned to walk into a year 12 English class only to find that not one of the students in the room knows the difference between verse and prose! Something, along with iambic pentameter, that I assume is vital to any understanding of the plays. Without knowledge of these elements the actor is lost, on the Atlantic Ocean without a compass. Once this knowledge has been gleaned, then the ocean of Shakespeare become easier to navigate, although no less vast.
Shakespeare offers the actor so many rich gifts, however he is brutal with those who would enter his world unprepared.
Last weekend Jennifer, Claudine and our designer Maryisa, went shopping for costumes on the Gold Coast. It is looking like the show will have a Gold Coast feel about it. Mercury’s Wings wants the production to be a product of its surroundings and its community. We are a company that has evolved out the fabric of the Gold Coast, local people, producing local artistic product for the benefit of all on the Gold Coast.
Stay tuned for more on this blog as we progress. Look out for video on the website and youtube.
James Anderson
Artistic Director
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