The Play's the Thing...

[naturalpuppy]

Day: 13
Characters: Joshua naturalpuppy et al.
Summary: Auditions open for St. Edelweiss' Hamlet.
DAY/NIGHT & Time: DAY - First Recreation Time
Status: Open / Incomplete

Comments

[two_inside_one]

Naruto stepped into the room that he'd heard was the place to try out for this play 'Hamster' or something

[naturalpuppy]

Joshua smiled and clasped his hands across his knee. The first audition was completely magnificent, by his estimation - he didn't want to be hasty, but with that spirit and that passion, it seemed he had found a strong contender for leading man.

"Well, we could use a messiah in the play, to be sure," he agreed. "If nothing but for the blessings you'd bring this production - though at least we're not doing the Scottish play! Hee hee, then we'd need you for sure.

"I have only one concern," he said, leaning forward slightly. "A lot of people die at the end of Hamster. You'll be okay, of course, because you'll come back to life, but you're really strong and bendy and I'm afraid no one will be able to kill you. Will you be willing to get killed?"

He leaned back again, smiling. "But you did an amazing job. Excellently done."

[two_inside_one]

Beaming proudly, Naruto nodded, bouncing a little on the balls of his feet, excited now.

"I will be the best messiah, ever, I swear!! I am full of really good luck!" Which was a lie, actually, but he could be lucky now, right? He didn't stay dead or nothing, after all. So... well, that meant that he couldn't be -that- unlucky!!!

"I don't mind if I only just die in the Hamster play!! I promise that I will be awesome and cool and bendy and all of that stuff, too, you just gotta give me a cool part, and so that my friends can see me in the play and I'll be REALLY REALLY cool! Like a ninja! I'm a real life ninja, and hamsters can be ninja, right!?!?!!?! I PROMISE TO DO IT REALLY GOOD! I'LL BE THE BEST ACTRESS EVER!!!"

[naturalpuppy]

"Excellent," Joshua beamed, and then leaned in. "I'm glad to know that you're a real-life ninja, too. Because I was thinking that maybe everybody in the cast could be a ninja. Maybe the play should be set in modern day, with Hamster trying to avenge the death of his father, who was a ninja, who got killed by another ninja. And there can be ninja fights. What do you think of that?"

[fuckingblondie]

Claire had been in a few plays in her time through school-- not at Costa Verde, that would have been absurd given how much her dad wanted her to blend in above all else, but in Odessa, before her mess of a life had hit her? Certainly. She was, after all, an emotional person (that bit was an understatement), and had been somewhat popular, even, with her position as co-captain of the cheerleading squad. In this instance, however, she had only talent to go on. Ah well

[naturalpuppy]

Joshua smiled broadly at Claire. She was everything you could want in a traditional leading lady. She was beautiful, graceful, poised, and delivered her lines with a good amount of conviction for having only just looked at the script, and with a good amount of fluidity. And she had a lovely, charming, sweet quality that would make her absolutely perfect for Ophelia in particular - in a tradition production.

He still wasn't sure if he wanted to make this production traditional.

"A lovely job," he said, smiling warmly at her. "And could I mention that I'm happy to finally meet you? But a lovely job," he said again. "You have such a beautiful face to go along with your beautiful voice, too.

"Unfortunately, we have another strong contender for the role," he said, looking over at Grell. "The two of you may have to fight it out between yourselves."

[chainsaw_juliet]

Barely ten minutes more had be slept in, but it was enough to cause the Reaper to miss the very start of the auditions. Though he knew he couldn't have helped it, since his now very mortal body was trying its best to heal itself, Grell was still angry.

Gingerly he flexed his left arm, observing how the thin layer of new skin held the stitches together well enough to not warrant a sling. Sighing in relief he slipped into his shirt, waistcoat and jacket before combing his hair as best he could. Flowers 'borrowed' from the recreation room were soon woven into his hair. The most important part- countless little copies of Hamlet written neatly and bound with threads from the edges of the ruined blanket.

Hurrying tot he auditions, Grell caught the end of Claire's audition and scowled unseen. No one could make a better Ophelia than him! Pouting, he made his way to Joshua and sat beside him.
"I have the copies of the script, Mister Joshua sir."

[fuckingblondie]

"Oh thank you! Yes, I'm happy to finally meet you, too! You look almost just as I expected! And always with the flattery."

But then, looking over at Joshua with a bit of surprise, she turned to see Grell. "You wouldn't rather be Gertrude? More lines and a far more important role. You'd even get to be there at the end when the bodies just litter the stage. Instead of drowning and all ahead of time," she said, smiling at him before holding out her hand.

"Anyway, it's good to finally meet you, too!"

[chainsaw_juliet]

The pretty Miss Claire in the flesh, no longer just a pretty voice that filtered through the funny telephone-gadget-thing on the wall. After placing the stack of scripts on a chair, he stood up and grasped her hand with both of his. Pulling her close, he kissed her cheeks in greeting.
"Nice to meet you too Miss Claire." Grell gave a faint smile. "Even prettier in person."

"Ah but if Gertrude is the stronger character and Ophelia drowns ahead of time- why are you auditioning for her too?" The Reaper asked with a flash of teeth. "Surely such a beautiful, charismatic young lady would aim for the strong female lead instead of the tragic character who dies young?"

"I would rather see the role of Gertrude played by a well-loved member of this place, showcasing the grace and strength of the fairer sex."

[fuckingblondie]

The greeting was, albeit however unexpected, pleasant enough. Grell looked every bit as extravagant as one could have expected-- it was most unfortunate that they had to be meeting under such circumstances.

Somewhat.

"I think maybe we should let Joshua decide?" she asked, beaming. "They're auditions, after all!

"I just think-- well, you flatter me too much. I'm not that great of an actress at all, you're way more learned, and you love this material more than anyone. And who's to say you're not just as loved as I am, here? As sweet and wonderful as you are," she continued, grinning.

[oops_siblicide]

After the trying morning Lelouch had already caused himself, it had taken him a little while staring himself down in a rusty bathroom mirror to compose himself enough to even consider attending the audition. Still, he knew that he must. Gone were the days of lying low, staying under the radar for the illusion of safety. It was only an illusion, this he had always known. It reminded him far too much of the days he had spent with Nunnally at Ashford Academy, always so choked on his own discontent that sometimes he hadn't even know how to breathe. But he had allowed himself to become convinced there was nothing he could do, trapped in the mindset of the helpless child who had witnessed the murder of his mother only to then become a political pawn for his father, waiting to be put into play as a sacrificial son. Now was little different. Lelouch didn't know how he had failed to see it before.

It had to stop.

He had to take back his title, his resolve, and walk towards the future. For better or for worse-- For better or for worse. (This

[oops_siblicide]

"My name is Lelouch," he began, then paused, then smiled a long-unused smile that teemed with arrogance, with self-assurance, perhaps even malice, "vi Britannia. The part I'm auditioning for is Hamlet, though the monologue is my own." Because, well. Lelouch's speeches from his past as a fallen prince and terrorist leader seemed fitting enough, and the monologues he devised impromptu he was rather proud of. Some leaders required their speeches be prepared for them, after all, and still they paled in comparison to the things Lelouch came up with on a whim. (Though, he noted to himself with some dark amusement, perhaps coming to an audition for the part of Hamlet with such resolve within him was not for the best

[oops_siblicide]

"Or have you realized it? That only those who are prepared to be shot have the right to shoot...! Lelouch vi Britannia commands you all..." Lelouch straightened his arm so that he was pointing to the side, then leveled it directly at Joshua, expression one that belonged solely to the long scorned, now cursed prince of Britannia. There was grim humor set in the light glittering sharply in his eyes, as he inwardly mused to himself what would happen here if the seal on his power should choose this moment to falter. "--DIE!Lelouch's voice pierced through the air of the auditorium with nothing short of raw authority, reverberating against the ceiling and walls. He drew his arms back to himself, pressing one hand over his left eye, perhaps out of habit

I think he's in love (REPOST IS A LIE)

[chainsaw_juliet]

He would continue arguing with Claire, but the moment the young man walked onto the stage, Grell felt compelled to give him his full attention.

Such conflict. Such suffering and yet such finesse in his timbre so as to reveal humanity within the power...

Grell clasped his hands at his heart, sighing girlishly before wiping his eyes. At the end of the monologue, he stood and clapped. Towards the stage he walked, brows drawn together and face a mask of worry. At the foot of the stage, he reached up to him.

"I hope all will be well. We must be patient: but I cannot choose but weep...""

[cowboy_newsie]

He was not an actor, and his theater experience had been limited to merely hanging around backstage at some of Medda's shows, but Jack couldn't resist Joshua's bribe of cigarettes-- he might be staff, but he hardly knew yet where they kept all the confiscated things in this place, and a smoke would do him good. And he had always enjoyed being in the center of attention anyway back home. This was just a bit more dressed up and formal than what he was used to.

He'd heard of Shakespeare, of course, but he'd never read-- or even seen-- any of the plays. Frankly, he hadn't the faintest idea what Hamlet was even about. But it couldn't be that hard. You just got up there and read-- or talked, in one person's case-- and god knew Jack could do that easily enough

yhalothar 83

[chainsaw_juliet]

Grell politely remained silent whilst this new man auditioned, mulling over the performance he gave. Had he ever read Hamlet? Did he know the tragedy of this scene? The Reaper could not help but smile, for this was a certain endearing quality to the man.

Clapping, he gave a broad smile and a nod.
"I've never quite heard an accent like yours before, sir. Where do you come from?" It sounded so...roguish, even tougher than the Cockney accent that amused Grell so much. Compared to his own polished English, all other accents were fascinating to him.

"Let's try something different," he spoke and hoped Joshua would not mind he had all but taken over the auditioning process, "if that's alright?" Grell made a beckoning gesture so that he would crouch down since Grell was at the bottom of the stage.

"You, sir, are Hamlet's most trusted and treasured friend. He trusts you with all his secrets and all his musings, you are there for him at all times." Grell explained, flicking through the script he had written. "So try this monologue- and

JUMPIN' ON

[naturalpuppy]

Joshua smiled, not only at Jack's impressively flat performance but at Grell's determination to improve it. Well! He could really only applaud the effort. After all, this play was a process of learning and improving, and Grell's sheer determination to educate others not only in Hamlet itself but also in the acting process was a true expression of the heart of this endeavor.

"Excellently done," Joshua said with a smile. "But perhaps the part doesn't suit you? I don't know," he said, making a great show of thoughtfulness.

"What do you think, Grell? Are there any parts out there he could do better?"

WOAH THERE NOW THERE'S TWO OF YOU

[cowboy_newsie]

"New York City," he answered to the man's question, coming to sit on the edge of the stage as the man gestured and began to instruct. The thought of his promised cigarettes was holding him here, to be certain, but he was beginning to feel stupid. At least this time around he'd have a bit more knowledge to what he was supposed to be feeling, even if he still hadn't the faintest idea what he was saying. It wasn't as if he didn't know he'd done a bad job, either, but what could they expect if they didn't even tell him what the play was about?

Reciting the piece as best he could, Jack shrugged impatiently as another boy came up-- Joshua, he assumed. It was his damn play, he could sort out what parts went to who.