Castle Gillian Casting Information

CASTING INFORMATION

GENERAL CALL FOR ACTOR AND DANCER AUDITION VIDEOS

Quill & Quaver Associates Pty. Ltd. is seeking actor | singers, and two male, specialist Irish- dance track actor | dancers for a complete original concept video and audio recording of this new musical by the team of Kazan, Buys and Purcell to be recorded by the Australian Discovery Orchestra (ADO) in Melbourne.

The album is to be released on Broadway RecordsTM in 2021.

In the first instance, the creative team is accepting audition videos from appropriately experienced Australian and New Zealand-based musical theatre artists, over the age of 18, able to demonstrate an authentic, generic Irish pronunciation and vocal awareness of vowel substitutions and variations. One role (male: Robin Morrison) requires the equivalent in Scots pronunciation.

Dance track applicants will be asked to demonstrate both traditional and modern (with arm and upper-body movement) Irish dance steps and will also be required to speak dialogue. Advice as to sound tracks to record steps to will be provided.

If you would like to be considered, please submit an Expression-of-Interest to janine@quillandquaverassociates.com indicating which role, or roles, you are interested in auditioning for. We will then send you a registration form and specific piano/vocal and script excerpts from the show to record. Demos may be recorded straight to smart phones or tablets. We can provide the name and contact for the ADO’s accompanist should you need assistance recording your submission.

Short-listed applicants will be asked to audition in person for the creative team at the earliest time in October, or as is permitted, under current COVID-19 restrictions in VIC. Actors successful in being offered a role will be provided with specific details as to the show’s further development and additional project requirements.

Professional fees apply.

SETTING:

Set in Ireland in 1948 Castle Gillian tells the story of Gill Morris, a young Irishman irrevocably changed by his experiences fighting in WWII, who regains his faith in love and the world as he fights to save his ancestral home – and racing stable – Castle Gillian.

Castle Gillian is a story of how love, hope and courage can heal the wounds of the past – and make miracles happen!

Middle C = C3
GILL MORRIS – [29] HIGH TENOR to A3 (one Bb3). Recently returned from war service (WWII), he is not only disillusioned but is suffering from shell shock. His resulting apathy to life threatens to irrevocably destroy his long-standing relationship with Sylvia.

MARY MORRIS – [Mid-20s] ALTO to F4. Gill’s only sibling. Feisty and determined, she is a capable and experienced racehorse trainer. However, she has been obliged to assume the burden of keeping Castle Gillian’s failing racing stable solvent – a burden that begins to drain her both emotionally and physically.

GILLIAN MORRIS – [55+] BASS BARITONE F1 to D3. Gill and Mary’s father. He was for many years a highly successful racehorse trainer; but after his wife’s fatal accident, for which he was responsible, he became an alcoholic, retreating from the world at large.

SYLVIA GAYNE – [26] ALTO to F4. Gill’s childhood sweetheart. She is smart, extrovert and fun-loving, with a shrewd ability to influence people. Although instrumental in breaking up with Gill, she finds it difficult to come to terms with the loss.

ROBIN MORRISON – [Late 20s] TENOR to A3. A penniless writer from the Scottish Highlands, whose only asset is a horse named Benbecula. On returning from war service, Robin joined Tyzack Lane’s county fair circus, where he earns his keep as a boxer. Well- educated and possessing an acute mind, he is both a romantic and a realist.

TYZACK LANE – [55+] BARITONE to D3. A Traveller of distinguished lineage, who operates a county fair circus. Although well-read, he is a man of few words.
(doubles as NED DOWLING)

OONAGH BLAKE – [Mid-50s] ALTO/CONTRALTO to C4. Tyzack’s steadfast wife. Wise and all-seeing, her quiet strength is a boon to many.

DIONYSIUS LANE (DINNY) – [Plays 15] LIGHT TENOR to A3. Tyzack and Oonagh’s grandson who is a natural horseman and dreams of being a jockey.

THE GHOST OF JOE LANE – [30] HYBRID BARI/TENOR to G3. Dinny’s father, killed in action during the War. A man with a great sense of humour. Joe and Gill had been best friends since boyhood. (doubles as SUPERINTENDENT)

JACUS McGRATH – [45-50] 2nd. TENOR to A3 for a few notes mostly lower. Tyzack’s half- brother, who operates a boxing booth at the fair. He may be mischievous, full of bluster and blarney, but he has a very kind heart.

GARRET WARD – [Mid 30s] BARITONE TO F3 mostly Eb3. A callous bully and sadist, who seeks to acquire a controlling interest in Castle Gillian and, in the process, induce Mary to marry him.

TIMMY TADG SHAWN – [Mid-Late 60s] BARITONE TO E3. The Morris Family’s faithful factotem is a colourful character and devoted to the Morris family. But when the occasion demands he is not slow to speak his mind, which he does with a quintessentially Irish turn-of- phrase.

(doubles as COURT USHER)
ADDITIONAL SPEAKING CHARACTERS

DAN SHEA – [Late teens/Mid-20s] Stable hand at Castle Gillian. Specialty Irish dance track
(doubles as PUNTER)

LANT SHEA – [Late teens/Mid-20s] Brother of Dan. Stable hand at Castle Gillian. Specialty Irish dance track.
(doubles as PUNTER)

JUSTICE NED DOWLING – The Local Magistrate SUPERINTENDENT – Senior Officer at the Caerline Constabulary PUNTERS – at the Logantown Races
COURT USHER – at the Caerline Courthouse