Show Synopsis
What’s a Tudor monarch to do when he has to face all six of his wives in the
afterlife? Ladies in Waiting finds King Henry VIII in a purgatory-like situation, where one by one he must confront and face off with each of his wives. Through dark humour, devastating truths, sexy seductions, and powerful revelations, Henry comes face to face with what his legacy has become: one entirely defined by women.
Character Breakdown
Note: Casting for non-union performers
Anne Boleyn Female-identifying, playing age 25-35 English
Performer must be proficient in RP dialect or demonstrate skill in learning dialects.
Intelligent, calculating, passionate, unashamed by her desires. She and Henry know how to push each other’s
buttons. Her family forced her on an ambitious path, but she has always been determined to take ownership in her promotion. A tough exterior but deeply human.
Jane Seymour Female-identifying, playing age 20-30 English
Performer must be proficient in RP dialect or demonstrate skill in learning dialects.
Intelligent, principled in faith and family. While she can
be perceived as wholesome or near an ingénue, she is quietly strategic, sweet but with a surprisingly tough core.
Anne of Cleves Female-identifying, playing age 25-35 German
Performer must be proficient in German dialect or demonstrate skill in learning dialects.
Intelligent, funny, and possesses an infectious energy. She is able to read a room. She can pick
up on the unspoken dynamics, emotions or inner-workings of her surroundings. This is a key attribute that helped her maintain an amicable relationship with Henry. While she defaults to wit and grace, she has a deep vulnerability.
Catherine Howard Female-identifying, playing age 16-25
(all performers must be over 18 years old) English
Performer must be proficient
in RP dialect or demonstrate skill in learning dialects.
Younger and received less formal education than the other wives of Henry. She was not raised in court. These circumstances left her at a disadvantage in aspects of her marriage and life, vulnerable and open to exploitation. Naiveté and lack of sophistication aside, she is resourceful in other ways and not to be underestimated.
Katherine
Parr Female-identifying, playing age 25-40 English(
Performer must be proficient in RP dialect or demonstrate skill in learning dialects.
Intelligent, a scholar and writer, twice widowed before her marriage to Henry and eventually became his widow. She is capable of humor but also possesses gravitas and maturity from her life experience.
Henry
VIII has been cast.
Catherine of Aragon has been cast.
What To Prepare
Please prepare a contemporary monologue no longer than 2 minutes. Performers may be asked to stay to read sides from the play. Please bring a
headshot and résumé.
Additional Info
Reserve an appointment at: [email protected].
Walk-ins are welcome and will be seen at earliest availability.
Venue: Performances
will be at Taliesin West.
After touring throughout the United States and United Kingdom, 'Ladies in Waiting' isproud to make its regional theatre debut with Southwest Shakespeare Company. Featuring returning original cast members, James Cougar Canfield as Henry VIII and Hilary Kelman as Catherine of Aragon, directed by Mitchell Glass.
Winner of
the 2017 Hollywood Fringe International Award
Nominated for the 2016 Drayton Arms Theatre’s Eddies Award
The Edinburgh, Hollywood, and Capital (D.C.) Fringe Sell Out Drama
***The production contains some moments of intimacy. No nudity or undress is involved. All scenes will be discussed, choreographed, rehearsed, and performed with transparency, openness, agreement, and consent between involved actors,
director, and production team.
***Age range of characters based on significant/peak times they shared with Henry.
Suggested playing age range of cast is between 16-40, but all performers must be 18 or older.
Twitter:
@LadiesInW8ting
Facebook: @LadiesInWaitingHenryVIII
