How would you describe Officer O Hara from Arsenic and Old Lace?

Question

I auditioned for Mortimer and got Officer O Hara (what's an actor to do? haha) and I'm stumped about what this guy is about. Is he Irish, thus a heavy accent? Or what accent, if any, is necessary? I plan on watching the film over the weekend, but I don't want to base my character 100% off of the one in the film.

Thank you so much for any help! It really would assist me!

-cap10hook72-

Answer 1

I wouldn't emulate the film at all. Don't watch it anymore. You can come up with your own spin on the character to make him likable and believable. I have seen versions of the play where the performers had obviously watched the film, and were trying to copy it.

The level of accent will be up to you and the director. You could use some dialect tapes to help with the accent development. Then mark in the script the sound changes to help you remember. Or does he have to have one at all?

Anyway, make the most of your scenes. It always boils down to "what does your character need from the others in the scene?" Write out a character bio.

With a part like that, a memorable mannerism or a unique prop/ costume piece can assist in your characterization.

Most of all, have fun. It's an enjoyable play.

Answer 2

Yes, he's Irish, but it's up to your director to decide HOW Irish. Your director may want a slight accent or none at all. As with most Irish-American characters, the accent is optional. The role isn't written in dialect.

He tries to pass himself off as a tough-as-nails cop, but deep down he's an aspiring playwright. When he finds out that Mortimer is an acclaimed theatre critic, he's eager to get a few minutes of his time to run through the play.

In fact, his eagerness to have his play heard blinds him to the terrible things happening right under his nose.

Answer 3

O'Hara is of Irish ancestry, but he might well have been born in the U.S. He's a working-class guy who takes it for granted that the kitchen is where you eat, whereas the more genteel murderers take their meals in the dining room and feel that they ought to apologize for asking the cop into the kitchen. As others have said, you should look to your director for guidance about the externals of the character, such as his accent. Your main job is to make him a believable human being, to give life to his relationships with the other people on stage. What are his goals and desires when he enters? How does he respond to the other characters? Those are the issues to focus on.