LEAR - Casting Call

Unseemly Shakespeare is BACK!

Presented by Unseemly Women, HER Productions & Girl Gang Manchester, we are proud to be bringing our 5th Unseemly Shakespeare to Hope Mill Theatre (Manchester) & Shakespeare North Playhouse (Prescot) in 2023.

We are casting for a diverse, dynamic and exciting ensemble of female and non-binary performers to make up the 12-strong cast of LEAR. Our productions are a celebration of local talent. We want to work with performers who enjoy collaboration and creating a positive work space.

Our ensemble will be made up of performers with varied experience. We welcome seasoned Shakespeare performers, alongside those who have felt excluded from Shakespeare in the past. 

Our shows tend to incorporate clown, dance, movement, music, so please let us know when applying if you have specific skills in any of these areas (or others we haven’t mentioned!) 

Previous applicants are very welcome to apply.

Dates: 
Cast Photoshoot: 16 April 
Rehearsals: 9th May - 2nd June (4 weeks - Actors will not be called every day, but good availability is needed)
Tech / Dress: Tuesday 6th of June (all day needed)
Hope Mill Theatre performances: Wednesday 7th June - 18th June (off Mondays. Call time: 6pm)
Shakespeare North Playhouse (Cockpit Theatre): 21st June - 24th June

LEAR runs on a profit share basis. Profit share runs on an open book policy and budgets can be shared with company members on request. We offer a semi-flexible rehearsal process; however good availability Mon-Fri 10-5 is essential for the rehearsal period. (i.e you will not be called for the whole time, but this will not work alongside a full time job).

Character List

Goneril - (30+) Lear's eldest daughter. Flatterer. Ruthless. Betrays Lear.

Regan - (30+) Lear's second daughter. Joins Goneril to destroy their father. Appears less harsh at start. Bloodthirsty.

Cordelia - (20+) Lear's youngest daughter. Loves her father. Refuses to flatter.

Fool - (any age) Loyal to Lear. Clown or comedian. (strong comic actor)

Gloucester - (40+) Lear's loyal friend. Foolish.

Kent - (40+) Lear's loyal friend. Banished. Disguises himself to stay close to the king.

Edgar - (20+) Gloucester's older son / legitimate heir. Must flee and hide from his father, disguised as Poor Tom.

Edmund - (20+) Gloucester's younger, illegitimate son. Opportunist.

Albany - (any age) Goneril's husband. Grows in stature during the play and ultimately finds the strength to resist his wife.

Cornwall - (any age) Regan's husband. Brutal.

Oswald - (any age) Goneril's steward. Sycophant.

How to apply:

1. What role(s) you are interested in 
2. Any special skills / talents you have
3. Any information that may be helpful to us regarding access needs & requirements

Deadline to apply: March 17th, 5pm
Casting dates: 1st, 2nd & 3rd April

Please send your application (which must include a CV and headshot) to [email protected]

We will acknowledge all applications, but cannot offer feedback / bespoke responses to all applicants. If you are invited to audition, you will hear from us by 25th of March, 5pm. 

​Thank you so much for your interest in LEAR and we look forward to hearing from you 🎉 

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