READING AND AUDITION NOTICE FOR ‘THE WAVES’ by Virginia Woolf, adapted by Flora Wilson Brown to be directed by Julien Rosa
THE WAVES
By VIRGINIA WOOLF
ADAPTED BY FLORA WILSON BROWN
DIRECTOR: JULIEN ROSA
PERFORMANCE DATES: 5 – 15 MAY, 2027
REHEARSALS WILL COMMENCE LATE MARCH 2027
There will be a reading of the play on 23 November, so that those interested can hear the text come off the page and then make a judgement whether they wish to go forward to the auditions on 29 November.
This will be an opportunity to hear the play read aloud, explore the material, ask questions about the production, and gain a fuller understanding of the piece before auditions.
READING: Monday 23 November at 7.30 p.m. at the theatre.
AUDITION: Sunday 29 November at 2.0 p.m. at the theatre.
“The Waves seems to encompass all of life in 95 minutes. The sound of waves bookends the narrative as an audio, metaphorical representation of time passing and the inevitability of life’s passage…..the closing words give hope and remain true: “How incredible it is to be alive.” The Waves is a delight from start to finish.”
Reviews Hub.
THE PLAY
When Virginia Woolf published The Waves in 1931, she had already established herself as a leading writer of her time, with works such as Mrs Dalloway, Orlando or A Room of One’s Own. Yet, she was keen to keep pushing literary experimentation further, which she proved with this unique ‘play-poem’, as she defined the novel herself.
We follow the story of six friends from their childhood by the seaside, to their first steps into old age. Six friends who grow up, love, ambition, experience loss, and contain their frustrations. Six friends who wonder what shape to give their lives, when life is such a continuous and unpredictable flux and a mysterious whirlwind of experiences.
Flora Wilson Brown did what was virtually impossible: she adapted what is considered a masterpiece of experimental literature into a vibrant, fast-paced and beautiful play that is full of life, energy and emotions, in which voices intertwine. A wonderful gift – and challenge – for actors who constantly shift between being narrators and characters in dialogue.
How to capture the movement in which human beings develop and confront each other? Like a wave, the motion is restless. We’re never just one, defined in a single present moment, but multiple, paradoxical and complex. Always torn between I and we, between self-conscientiousness and our presence with others in the world. And that what makes this life – and this play – such an exciting journey.
CHARACTERS TO BE CAST
The play offers six roles with a script fairly equally divided between them, with Rhoda being our main narrator. This is a fast-paced play in which all actors will be on stage most of the time. A seventh friend, Percival, is present all along the story, but doesn’t appear physically on stage. As a group with strong bonds, they have a lot of laughs, love and grief.
Rhoda: solitary, she often feels alienated from the group. Her inner voice is a refuge against the external world, and she defines herself in terms of self-doubt and absence, and experiences periods of depression. Worried about being criticised, she often compares herself to her other friends, and their accomplishments. At the same time, she has an intense take on life and is capable of carrying the others on her shoulders.
Jinny: conscious of her own beauty and her liberated physicality, she is radically honest and direct. As a socialite, less interested than her friends in the movements of the soul, she still has her own ideals and is a truly free spirit. However, she is also conscious of how ageing will affect her more than the others but doesn’t look at it with despair.
Susan: strong and determined, she is keen to root herself in life and create something that will last, which is mainly achieved by her building a family in the countryside. This means she sometimes is also nostalgic for what other paths her life could have taken, and her fear of immobility occasionally manifests. But even if she makes sacrifices, she is happy with what life offers her.
Bernard: a sometimes-chaotic character, he is interested in the power of language; writing is a means to impress and help his friends, as well as a way to control reality and his own emotions. But he is confronted with how that very reality is always more complex than words can carry, which sometimes prohibits him to be truly satisfied in life.
Neville: also a poet, but the only one who will be get public recognition, he is sensitive but is aware of his weaknesses. His focus on art allows him to contain the chaotic disorder he finds life to be. He is deeply romantic, his intense feelings finding an ideal in his love for the handsome Percival, which he’ll try to replace with other men his whole life. He likes precision, but he knows that the control of chaos can be only temporary.
Louis: embarrassed by his origins, both geographical (he’s Australian) and social (his father is a banker while his friends come from the upper class), he wants to leave his own mark in the world by fighting for it, but never stops feeling marginalised. He’s immediately attracted to Rhoda whom he sees as a fellow outsider. Unlike his friends who go to university, he takes on a job, but still aspires to be a poet, and continues to write all his life, while becoming a successful businessman.
Age: 20-30s. However age can be flexible, so don’t stop yourself from auditioning if you’re interested. The most essential thing is to create a cohesive group that will really work as friends.
AUDITION GUIDELINES
For the audition you will be asked to perform different parts of the text with other auditionees. Text will be provided on the day and you will be given time to read through and prepare.
Do try to arrive on time so that you don’t miss lots of useful information about the play and being part of the production.
The reading and the audition will be held at the theatre. Please come to the Stage Door at the rear of the theatre in Spencer’s Yard. There is access through the gate to the left of The Fold on Spencer Street. A Loft sign on the gate indicates the direction into the yard. The Fold is the large white building with pillars. Head in the direction of the arrow across Spencer’s Yard to the Stage Door in the corner. The words ‘Stage Door’ are painted on the wall.
To register interest, or if you are interested but can’t make the dates, or for any more information, please get in touch with the director Julien Rosa at julienrosa@lofttheatrecompany.com
CASTING POLICY
The Loft’s casting policy is centred on casting the very best actors for each role. Casting will always be open and neutral. Everyone is welcome and warmly encouraged to attend auditions. If specific race/ethnicity or other characteristics are central to the story, we will make this clear in audition notices. There is no pre-casting without the express permission of the Artistic Director. We no longer have membership subscriptions. It is free to join our company.
