Speed Shakespeare [Open]

[morphitudinous]

Billy hadn't the slightest idea how much time had passed since his rushed deal with Metronome for the Clock's destruction. He'd typed out a hurried plea for help on the omnicom network, sped off to download and review the play's script, and conjured an auditorium-like Sensorium for rehearsal. All that remained was the arrival of the cast and crew, and this probable disaster would begin.

Just what have I committed myself to? If my judgment is questionable for attempting to stage this production in just a few days, the cast...I don't foresee this ending well.

Once everything was prepared, he sent a quick message to the volunteers. They should be arriving any minute

((This is going to be subthreaded out in stages. Mingling, a place for comments from the peanut gallery, auditions/arguments, and brief rehearsal scenes. Thread out whatever you think is funniest! Final casting decisions will be happening here. I'll be on chat/AIM/Plurk during this post if you want me.

Now open for posting! Don't feel obligated to participate, we're not obsessively logging everything. This is just for comedy opportunities. Most of what I want to know is who's playing who. And it's okay to jump in even if you didn't sign up on the comm post. Everyone's welcome to audition!))

Comments

Actors

[morphitudinous]

"Ah...hello, everyone," a nervous Billy greeted from his position next to the stage. "I'm very grateful that you could all come to assist with this production and rescue our friends. I know we don't have a lot of time to pull this off, but I'm willing to give it my best effort if you are."

Did that seem to work? He paused, looking out at the crowd before continuing. "I think the first matter we need to address is casting. Would everyone willing to act in the play please stand at the front of the stage?"''

When they did, he continued. "On the front pages of your scripts, you'll find a character listing. You can use those to more easily decide which role you'd like to try out for. Just come forward with your choice when you're ready."

[carrieswar.livejournal.com]

"What if we've got a few choices just in case we need to fall back on one?" The red-head fanned the script in his hand as he spoke. "Cause I've got at least a couple in mind to try out for."

[morphitudinous]

"That's perfect. It'll be easier to sort everything out that way."

Billy tapped his chin, trying to picture Jr's roles. "What did you have in mind?"

[carrieswar.livejournal.com]

"Weeeeeell," he said, pulling the script up to quickly scan through the names - mainly to make sure he didn't forget any. And to double check, just in case he figured he could pull off any more. "I think I could adjust for whoever, really. Romeo, Mercutio, Tybalt, Benvolio. Hell, even Friar Laurence."

[seesbosscrotch.livejournal.com]

Mar all but bolted up to the stage. Which was quite a feat in full plate. "Mercutio!"

[morphitudinous]

"Hmm. You seem to have the swordsmanship ability, and I can see the stage presence. I'll definitely put you in consideration for him. Can you show me your combat ability?"

Acting came second in this particular decision. He wanted something to impress Metronome with, and some polish in this section might make up for deficiencies elsewhere.

[seesbosscrotch.livejournal.com]

Rather than the sword on his back, Mar produced from his backpack a mace. "Balance is off, but it'll do for a demonstration!" he said.

He took a few steps back, thrust the mace out as he threw one hand back, then darted into motion. The weapon struck at the air with grace and speed as the elf's feet danced across the floor in trained motions. He struck, parried an imaginary blow furiously, then lashed out as his whole body spun through the attack.

"I assume unleashing holy devastation is out of the question, but I CAN do that if it's called for!"

Re: Actors

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

"I suppose I'll try Tybalt. He shouldn't be too out of character, I hope."

[morphitudinous]

"I can see your point," Billy agreed. "Could you read the fight between Tybalt, Mercutio, and Romeo in Act 3? The lines just before their battle."

Billy waited to see how this would turn out.

(You don't actually have to look up and quote the lines. Just an idea of the emotion's good.)

[goddamnwingman]

Dick had given the mask a miss for this. Mostly because it wasn't very useful except for one scene. So he DID have it with him. Just...not on his face at the moment.

He smiled at Billy as he walked up. "Well. Since you offered, I suppose Romeo isn't a bad choice." He even had a vaguely Mediterranean look to his face. Depending on the artist, at least.

[morphitudinous]

Billy was surprised to see him without the mask. So surprised that he hardly recognized him.

"Mr. Grayson," he greeted. "Thanks for coming out. I'd just like to see a fighting demonstration, and then you'll be reading your lines with Juliet."

Re: Actors

[colorfulworld]

Aftran read the character listing over once, then twice, then a third time. Truth be told, Aftran had no idea what this play was really about -- "Romeo and Juliet" had been Karen's ideal mental image of starcrossed lovers forbidden to meet, but the girl hadn't actually seen or read the play. The nothlit was really only here to help get Marco, Rachel, and everyone else back to normal.

"I don't really have any preference. Perhaps a secondary role..."

[morphitudinous]

"We can do that," Billy nodded. "How about Count Paris, the other man seeking Juliet's hand in marriage?"

Re: Actors

[changelingdude.livejournal.com]

Beastboy had been having a hard time figuring out who to be. He barely knew anything of Shakespeare except a movie he'd watched once because he couldn't find the remote.

Still, faint hearts never won fair chicks! And he was going to give this his all so why not try out for the lead?

He had even gone so far as to stitch together a hat that looked like it was made out of an old recliner with a long green peacock feather in it. It looked midevil to Beastboy.

"Uh...yo! I'm Beastboy, and I'll be auditioning for Romeo." After a moment he faltered and backpeddled, "B-but like, I'll do any role you want, I'm just here to help and have fun and stuff right?" He laughed nervously shuffling his feet, "Right I'll uh...I'll just start."

He let his mind wander for a minute picturing a tower, a beautiful golden haired girl with blue eyes who was painfully familiar to Beastboy's oft trodden upon heart appeared.

But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief,
That thou her maid art far more fair than she:
Be not her maid, since she is envious;
Her vestal livery is but sick and green
And none but fools do wear it; cast it off.
It is my lady, O, it is my love!
O, that she knew she were!

His voice shook a bit as he struggled with the unfamiliar dialect. His projection was good but a little too loud given the area. It wouldn't be as bad on a grand stage if he could just focus more on the emotion he was trying to project rather then getting the words exactly right.

She speaks yet she says nothing: what of that?
Her eye discourses; I will answer it.
I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks:
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars,
As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!
O, that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek!

Beastboy thought to himself in the back of his head that he was bombing horrible. His green cheeks were flushed as he pushed onward hoping to drown out the screaming voice in his head that could barely understand what the character was trying to say.

[morphitudinous]

This audition was an interesting one. It wasn't technically powerful or anywhere near perfect, but he seemed to get very invested in the role. That flickering image of his Juliet surprised Billy as well, leading him to reconsider.

"You're truly understanding Romeo," Billy agreed. "We have a few auditions for this role, so I'm going to try you all out against the Juliets later. Is that all right with you?"

Re: Actors

[ternaui.livejournal.com]

"The narrator seems well enough. I doubt I am suited for ...character parts."

And the Chancellor, having read it over, repeats the introductory passage in the same rich, booming, 15th-century English tones in which he introduces people to the Emperor of Avalon.

Re: Actors

[morphitudinous]

It was perfect. Billy flashed the thumbs up at the Chancellor. "Excellent. You're hired as well."

Re: Actors

[hit-girl-mindy.livejournal.com]

Mindy had already known exactly who she wanted to play. Yeah, they had taken some liberties when they did the crazy ass Leonardo Dicaprio version, but the she had read the play herself. From the moment she had laid eyes and heard the whole self indulgent dream scene to the death, Mercutio had been her favorite. Not afraid to die, even joking on his last legs, cursing the stupidity of the feud in his last moments of reflection.

"Hey," she said, approaching Billy. "I said I'd go for Mercutio. Do me a solid and tell me its not taken yet?"

Re: Actors

[morphitudinous]

"I'll give it a look," Billy answered readily. Wait...he had his casting list...uh...oops. Time for a quick revision.

After some hasty negotiations (it would be a bad idea to upset Mindy after all), he rushed back with a confirming nod. "It's yours to audition for. Are you ready?"

Re: Actors

[neverwastenaya.livejournal.com]

Tenaya scanned through the script a few times as she watched the casting, and it was becoming clearer to her that there was a crucial part left uncast.

"You still need a Juliet, don't you?" she asked, hiding her dread.

Well, she'd said she'd be able to do any part...

[morphitudinous]

"I do," Billy confirmed reluctantly, a sad little smile on his face. "I know it's not quite what you were expecting, but how do you feel about reading with the Romeos? We're auditioning two so far---and another Juliet might still come along."

[encourage]

Sakura took her stance at the front of the stage looking something close to uncomfortable for a moment, evening out into a smile and a clasping of her hands firmly behind her back. All right, so first she needed to look at one of the scripts. Moving toward them after several others, she unlocked her hands to pick one up, flipping through.

What kind of language was she even reading? Sakura was fairly sure it was translated, but the flow of language felt closer to old parts of her culture that she only had the smallest contact with herself.

She looked up at Billy, and confessed, "I'm willing to play whatever part -- or parts, I guess -- you need me to. Is there something you want me to read?"

[morphitudinous]

Billy greeted her happily, more than relieved to have another willing volunteer. It was getting close to crunchtime and a few key roles weren't filled yet.

"Sakura, hey! I'm glad you could make it. Do you want to read for Juliet's nurse? There's a monologue here that should display your voice well enough."

Unfortunately, they didn't have time for further refined auditions.

Re: Actors

[not_the_philistine]

While Goliath has never considered himself an actor, and never assumed he'd be one, he's well aware of the power of his voice to make people stand at attention.

Plus, chastising feuding subjects is something he became experienced at when he was leader of the Wyvern clan, and no one else has yet read for the Prince of Verona, whose monologues are few and mostly consisting of these. This may still be an all-human production, but someone needs to play the man.

"Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace,
Profaners of this neighbour-stained steel,--
Will they not hear? What, ho! you men, you beasts,
That quench the fire of your pernicious rage
With purple fountains issuing from your veins,
On pain of torture, from those bloody hands
Throw your mistemper'd weapons to the ground,
And hear the sentence of your moved prince."

Re: Actors

[morphitudinous]

Wow. Billy knew Goliath had a talented voice, but hearing it in the context of the lines solidified his decision. No one else could wow Metronome like that...if Metronome could indeed be wowed.

"You have the role," Billy nodded eagerly, all smiles. "Thanks, Goliath. This'll be as great as we can make it."