13 Days - Audition
Reading: Sunday 15th September 2024, 6.00 pm - Foyer
Workshop: Thursday 19th September, 7.45 pm. For anyone interested, especially ensemble. If you attend the workshop you will have a part in the ensemble provided you can make rehearsals etc.
Auditions: Sunday 29th September 2024, 6.00 pm – Foyer/Garrick
Performances: Tuesday 21st - Saturday 25th January 2025 (Coward Studio)
An interview with the director, Clare Cooper
It’s 1956, the Second World War is over, the Cold War has begun and the Iron Curtain is ever tightening its grip. The USSR has industrialised its satellite states, whether they liked it or not, and Hungary is struggling. As world events seem to hover on the edge of a third world war, can an honest politician extricate Hungary from it’s Soviet overlords without bloodshed? Written before and during events in Ukraine, 13 Days shows that history is still repeating itself. And can honesty and integrity be maintained in politics?
This is an exciting and thoughtful play, of an oft forgotten event in post war history (it predated, for example, the much more well known Prague Spring) : written by TTC’s own Angela Gibbins, and will be directed by Clare Cooper (winner of best production for Incident At Vichy in 2023; and the very successful Pressure in 2024).
This will be an unusual staging in TTC’s Coward Studio for January 2025. Rehearsals will start toward the end of October and there will be a break for Christmas. But you will need complete availability in January.
There are excellent named parts for men of all ages, in particular senior Hungarian and international politicians / diplomats of the time. There are two great parts for women – one of the leaders of the revolutionaries (Julia), and a Hungarian citizen (Ilona). Doubling is possible and there can be some gender blind casting. I am not looking for ‘look-alikes’ or using accents.
Parts marked with an * are key , especially Nagy, Julia and Ferenc. Smaller parts could, but not necessarily, come from the ensemble.
Imre Nagy (M): *the Prime Minister of Hungary at the time. He was in his 60s. An honest politician, struggling with conflict of interest. He wants the uprising to be successful but needs to keep his Soviet masters onside. A diplomat, but there is a real inner struggle.
Ferenc Janosi (M): * younger. Probably 30s . He is a civil servant, pragmatic, but does not want the prospect of Soviet ‘rule’.
Julia (F) : * probably 30s/40s. She has to be credible to have a 5 year old son. Passionate and dedicated without being overbearing, still grieving her husband. One of the main protagonists behind the uprising. She has recently been in prison for being a revolutionary. The reburial of her husband (shot as a dissident) has been a trigger for the uprising.
Mikoyan (M): * Soviet representative in Hungary. Slippery, possibly slightly self satisfied. There is no doubt about where his loyalties lie.
Kadar (M): * Hungarian politician of the time. Proves to be disloyal and a ‘traitor’ to Hungary. Becomes a puppet PM after the uprising and the Soviets take control.
Bang Jensen: * A narrator type figure , looking back on the historical events at the inquest. Needs senior authority. Does not get involved in a lot of the action so rehearsal commitment would not be huge (until January).
Gero (M) 30s/40s. A disaffected Hungarian member of government.
GB representative (M): Britain’s representative to the UN. A diplomat. Relatively senior but could be any age over 40s. Senior credibility important
Soviet representative (M): USSR’s representative to the UN. A diplomat. Relatively senior but could be any age over 40s. Senior credibility important.
2 cabinet members (could be M or F): Cabinet ministers who are trying to hold Hungarian government to account. Likely to be 40s or older.
Luca and Ilona (M and F)*: Hungarian citizens / workers through whom we see the effect of the uprising. Likely to be younger, 30s. Youthful energy required. Will also definitely be part of the ensemble.
Eszti (F): Hungarian citizen, 20s/30s one v small scene but will be part of ensemble.
Radio Journalist(s) x 2 (M or F): One of these will likely be a recorded voice. Really struggling under the pressure, but need to be bright and optimistic even if they do not believe what they are saying . Everything has to come out in the recording. This may be an opportunity for people who might not be able to make the dates of the actual production, but they could equally also be in the ensemble.
Major: Soviet - a small speech at end. Probably from within the ensemble.
Ensemble: This is one of the most exciting things I plan to do with this production. I am looking for an ensemble of 5 – 10 Hungarian citizens – ideally a wide range of ages, male and female. Some of the above parts may come from within the ensemble but you can be in the ensemble alone. There is an opportunity to be really creative with tableaux and set pieces. This could be great for anyone who doesn’t feel confident with lines, or people who maybe have less experience but would like to be in a production. There will be separate ensemble rehearsals before Christmas but it will be a relatively small commitment until January, unless you also have a named part above.
There will be a workshop for people interested in joining the ensemble on 19th September. If you attend this workshop you will have an opportunity to be part of the chorus. It will also be an opportunity to find out more about the play and the vision ahead of the auditions for the named parts.
This is a new play – there will be lots of opportunity for creativity and finding the style we want to create. Please come along if you would like to be part of an exciting theatrical adventure!
Any questions please contact me on the e mail below.
Clare Cooper, Director
Play readings are not just for prospective actors, but for anyone who would like to join in reading the play – or just listen to it being read. The readings are informal social occasions when the bar is open - we enjoy meeting new people and welcoming them to our club. There is no obligation to audition for the play or even to read – and there’s no need to book, just turn up!
For more information artistic@teddingtontheatreclub.org.uk
