my school is doing it for our winter play, and I'm in a situation where I don't know anything about the play and auditions are this week! This much I know-
-It's a black comedy
-I'm to skinny to play Teddy
-the competition for Mortimer makes me doubt I'll get that role
But can you please tell me about the male roles with a detailed description of their characteristics? Any help is greatly appreciated!!!!
Thanks!
-cap10hook72-
2007-12-04 02:13:44 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
I've never seen you, but I'll bet you're not too skinny to play Teddy. Teddy would be a lot of fun.
There's the homicidal maniac and his assistant. Whenever I think of the maniac I see Peter Lori playing the part. His voice was something else. Build would have nothing to do with either part. The assistant is sort of like Renfield in the Dracula story.
There is a police officer, I think I remember his name as being Brophy. He gets drunk in Act III. He is the stereotypical Irish cop of the 30s and 40s.
Go for Teddy or the maniac. They would be a kick. Mortimer spends a lot of time panicing, but don't sell yourself short.
2007-12-04 02:37:21 · answer #1 · answered by jack of all trades 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh dear, I don't have time to go into it here and now, but couldn't you maybe get a hold of a VHS or DVD of the old Frank Capra movie with Cary Grant and Peter Lorre? It's hysterical, and you could get an idea. I absolutely love it!
The funny thing is that originally, on stage, the role of Jonathan Brewster, who "looks like Karloff" (in the film Raymond Massey), was actually played by Boris Karloff. Karloff, busy doing the stage play when the movie was being produced, was unable to repeat his role on film.
Some cute trivia notes about the film version here:
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0036613/trivia
2007-12-04 02:33:28 · answer #2 · answered by Donna in Rome 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the leading man is a handsome devil
Mortimer's assistant is a frightful character
There are a few minor characters like the minister
You know yu can always put on make up and pick a role to audition for
you might want to rent the movie with Cary Grant
2007-12-04 05:10:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to check out the movie - it's classic!
Yes it can be classified as a dark comedy, but a comedy none the less.
Teddy - you may be on the thinner side, I'm not sure, but I think if you evoke the spirit of this character (who thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt) that'll go over really well.
Good luck!
2007-12-04 02:27:41 · answer #4 · answered by Pask 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out the movie - it is in black and white and starred Cary Grant. It is a great holiday.
2007-12-04 02:47:34 · answer #5 · answered by BlueJD 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a comical mystery is the best way to describe it. Highly recommed watching the Cary Grant Version.
In the meantime...why don't you try reading the script yourself.
Here it is: http://books.google.com/books?id=KZIT6ClVI7sC&dq=arsenic+and+old+lace&pg=PP1&ots=uB2MVJbOwM&sig=4PTP8JQww9eqWBSIzxZfQXCHniE&prev=http://www.google.com/search%3Fsourceid%3Dnavclient%26ie%3DUTF-8%26rls%3DGGLG,GGLG:2005-52,GGLG:en%26q%3DArsenic%2Band%2BOld%2BLace&sa=X&oi=print&ct=title&cad=one-book-with-thumbnail
2007-12-04 06:19:55 · answer #6 · answered by mamabee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋