Auditionees are recommended to prepare monologues and should bring resumés. Sides will be provided at the audition. Equity special appearance contracts will be available for this production.
| Becket (35-45) | Thomas Becket is first the king's friend, later the king's chancellor, and finally Archbishop of Canterbury. Although Becket is a close personal friend of the king's and his most trusted adviser, he is not of the same race as the king. Becket prides himself on doing what needs to be done well. He does not consider himself, however, to be a man of honor. In spite of his self-analysis, he reveals himself to be more moral than he will admit. Although Becket is ambitious, he begs Henry not to name him as Archbishop of Canterbury. By taking on this role, Becket finds the honor that has so long eluded him. |
| Henry II (25-35) | King Henry II is the ruler of England. He has taken Thomas Becket as his advisor, and they have become close friends. He is alternately ruthless, fun-loving, politically savvy, and easily led. He seems to have little regard for the people he rules; as a Norman, he has nothing but disdain for the subjugated Saxons. He is a womanizer, a drinker, and a passionate friend. Henry never forgets that he is king. |
| Archbishop of Canterbury (50-70) | The archbishop of Canterbury is the highest official of the Catholic Church in England. At the time of the play, the archbishop and Henry are engaged in a struggle for power. At issue is who will have authority over England: the king or the church. Ironically, the most important action undertaken by the archbishop of Canterbury is dying. His death opens the way for Henry to appoint Becket to this position, thus setting the tragedy in motion. The actor in this role will play additional characters. |
| Gilbert Folliot, Bishop of London (25-50) | An adversarial bishop who battles with both Henry and Becket; both wildly ambitious and jealous, he allows his insecurity and temper to get the best of him as he struggles to find a way to make his voice heard. Actor will play additional characters. |
| King Louis of France (25-45) | A snobby French King who is equally interested in assisting and exploiting Becket; in many ways, the antithesis to King Henry. Well-mannered, flamboyant and high minded; but owns the room in the same way that Henry does, perhaps even to his detriment. The actor in this role will play additional characters. |
| Saxon Girl (15-20) | A young peasant who is brought to the palace by Henry, as a companion for Becket; naïve and unexposed to the ways of nobility, yet subservient and curious as to its offerings. The actor in this role will play additional characters. |
| Young Monk (15-25) | A young, rebellious monk who first tries to kill Becket before becoming his protégé; like Becket, he finds direction in his life once he enters into the clergy; while he is undereducated and somewhat sloppy, he is perceptive and fiercely loyal to Becket and the Church. The actor in this role will play additional characters. |
| Gwendolen (20-35) | Becket'’s mistress; regal and intelligent but slightly naive, she solemnly and courageously meets her death after realizing that she and Becket will never be together. Sings a ballad while playing the lute/mandolin at the request of Henry. Actress will play additional character(s). Actresses auditioning for the role of Gwendolen should prepare 16 bars of a ballad (not necessarily from a show/musical). Ballad may be sung a capella, or with guitar or mandolin. Ability to play one of said instruments a plus. |
| Young queen (Eleanor of Aquitaine) (18- 30) | Caught in an unhappy marriage with King Henry. Will one day grow into the forceful and skillfully pragmatic Eleanor of Aquitaine; for now, she is more interested in challenging Henry'’s masculinity and intelligence and less inclined to use diplomacy and charm to fall into his good graces. The actor in this role will play additional characters. |
| King's mother (Empress Matilda) (35-50) | Henry's disapproving, over-bearing mother; undermines him at every corner and suspicious of hi’s relationship with Becket. Older and perhaps a tad senile, but still retains a sharp wit and fiery passion for power. The actor in this role will play additional characters. |
Auditions will be held at 7 p.m. with 6:30-8 p.m. sign-in January 27-28. Callbacks, if needed, will be held at 11 a.m. January 30. Performances will be held April 8-23.
For more information, contact info@holmdeltheatrecompany.org. Auditions will be held at th Duncan Smith Theatre on 36 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel.
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