Download Character Notes - Woodhouse Players

Character Notes.
Edward Kynaston (age 20-35):- An actor who plays female roles on the stage. At the beginning of the play
he is a star but then finds himself out of work once female actors are legalised. He can be arrogant and
cruel but is also professional and quick witted. His identity is heavily linked to his work and, when he loses
his status, he has to rebuild himself as well as his career. The part is on stage for most of the play and has
some solo singing and scenes of a sexual nature.
Audition pieces 1,2 and 3.
Thomas Betterton (age 30-50):- The director of the theatre Kynaston works at. He acts the lead male roles
opposite Kynaston. He tries to be everyone’s mate but is also very business minded. He is often passiveaggressive and is frustrated with trying to manage actors while keeping his theatre afloat.
Audition piece 4.
Samuel Pepys (age 30-50):- Civil servant and diarist. He has some short monologues describing the period
and as well as speaking to characters. Tries to be an unbiased observer but is also a bit of a lad about town.
Audition piece 5.
Villiars (age 30-45):- Member of the aristocracy and friend of Charles II. He is in a one-sided relationship
with Edward Kynaston as well as seeing other people. He is very good at playing politics and using people.
He is cool and emotionally uninvolved. Dumps Kynaston, and marries, at the first sign that their affair may
become public. Has scenes of a sexual nature.
Audition piece 3.
Maria (age 18-35):- A seamstress and later actress at Betterton’s theatre. She is creative and caring but still
the most sensible person in the theatre. She has a massive crush on Edward Kynaston and rescues him from
the Cockpit Tavern. Has scenes of an intimate nature.
Audition piece 2.
Margaret Hughes (age 20-35):- The first actress on the English stage. Is a fan of Edward Kynaston and
wants to replicate his success on stage. She copies his speech and movements. She is in a relationship with
Sir Charles Sedley, who uses his wealth to get her roles. She is very good at being polite and proper but is
also very ambitious and smart.
Audition pieces 4 and 5.
Nell Gwynn (playing age 15):- Mistress of Charles II and comic actress. She is the daughter of a madam and
a former orange seller in the theatre. She is a small but a strong woman with a big personality. She has a
very crude sense of humour. She is ignorant to start with but she is always practical and cynical. The part
has some solo singing and scenes of a sexual nature.
Audition piece 4.
Charles II (age 30-45):- King. He is trying to undo everything the puritan administration, before him,
achieved. Charles has a very easy way of talking to people at the same time as being very powerful. He is
not very formal or well behaved for a monarch but everyone knows he’s in charge. He tries to find the
funny side of everything. Has scenes of a sexual nature.
Audition piece 6.
Sir Charles Sedley (age 30-40):- Poet and playwright. He is a comedy villain with a comedy lisp. He is a
dandy and is as camp as a person can be. However he is straight and is in a relationship with Margaret
Hughes. He has Kynaston attacked after he wounds Sedley’s pride. He is vengeful and defensive but very
supportive of Margaret.
Audition piece 1.
Lady Meresvale (age 20-30):- Is a dumb aristocratic fan of Edward Kynaston. She is ignorant, sly and
snobbish. She turns on Kynaston after he insults her.
Audition piece 1.
Miss Frayne (age 20-30):- Is a dumb middle class fan of Edward Kynaston. She is ignorant, sly and snobbish.
She turns on Kynaston after he insults her.
Audition piece 1.
Mistress Revels (any age):- Is the compère at the Cockpit Tavern. She is loud and coarse. Has one scene so
will also be a chorus part. Can be played as a drag queen.
Audition piece 7.
There are a number of one-line roles and the role of Hyde (the Prime Minister) which will be offered to
those who do not get any of the above roles. If you only wish to audition for a smaller part please read
audition pieces 5 and 7.
Everyone will be offered a chorus role. These roles will mainly consist of heckling the main actors and some
stage management such as moving furniture or helping the lead actors change costumes and make up.