Auditions for the classic play My Cousin Rachel

My Cousin Rachel
Adapted by Joseph O’Connor
From the novel by Daphne du Maurier

Please email the director, Terry Hooper, for an audition time: tezdahoop@gmail.com
For a perusal script, please contact HLT directly: info@hlt.org.nz

Synopsis:
Philip Ashley travels to Italy to find his cousin Ambrose has died suddenly and Rachel, Ambrose's wife, has gone. Philip returns to England convinced Rachel was responsible for Ambrose's death, hoping to inherit his possessions. When Rachel arrives in England Philip falls in love with her. One small event after another causes a kind of see-saw of belief and disbelief. Is Rachel a scheming murderess or a grossly maligned woman?

The Auditions will be held at 10 min intervals. Auditions will be cold reads- Please make yourself very familiar with the script and character you are auditioning for prior to the audition.

The director will be looking to create a strong collaborative cast that will work well together. Callbacks may be required for some characters. Any questions, please contact director, Terry Hooper 0210789360

The Characters:

John Seecombe: an elderly butler, 50+, faithful, shabby; elderly Cornish accent preferred

Thomas Connors: a servant. 20 to 30. Cornish accent preferred

Nicholas Kendall: godfather of Philip Ashley. 40-45 attractive, forceful; English accent

Philip Ashley: a young man. 25 to 30, sensitive, emotional; young English accent

Louise Kendall: Nicholas’s 20-year-old daughter. pretty, hoydenish.

Rachel Coryn Ashley: 30 to 35, Alluring, exotic and unconventional. Must have a good Italian accent

Guido Rainaldi: a lawyer, 40s, dark, good-looking. Must have a good Italian accent

The voice of Ambrose Ashley is sometimes heard. He is a middle-aged man suffering an intense fever.

Director: Terry Hooper

Terry is a professional actor and director. He trained for three years at the accredited Rose Bruford School of Speech and Drama in London, also gaining a BA Honours Degree in Theatre from Kent University. His professional experience in Europe includes working as an actor in many London and European theatres, as a Theatre in Education Facilitator for the Thorndyke Theatre’s education programme and founding The Minus One Theatre Company which won Best New Company and Best Actor awards at the Sheffield One Act Play Festival.

Upon immigrating to New Zealand, he began work as a director. Terry’s credits with Howick Little Theatre include directing Mammals, Sexy Laundry, Steel Magnolias and Backstage, but most notably, the Auckland premiere of Gary Henderson’s Peninsula (winner of the 2012 Howick Little Theatre Best Production Award). He has acted in Art, As You Like It, and Birthrights.

Terry has produced, directed and acted in many other successful productions here in New Zealand including Art, As You Like It, God of Carnage, Hamlet, Not About Heroes, Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion.

Terry is the Founder and Artistic Director for professional performance company Crossfade here in Auckland. He can also be seen in the TVNZ show Custard’s World, created by Whoa Studios, where he performs as the would-be Super Villain, Dr Gloom.