Directed by Lee Cook

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Produced by David Runnalls

ABOUT THE PLAY:

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Written by Australian playwright Joanna Murray Smith, Switzerland is a play that blends reality and fiction and explores the plight of the author struggling to stand outside the shadow of her most famous creation.

 

Directed by Lee Cook, Switzerland is the first production for The Mount Players (Macedon) 2020 season.

 

The play is a two-hander metaphysical thriller set in the secluded home of Patricia Highsmith, famous author of the Tom Ripley novels. When meek and mild Edward Ridgeway is sent by Highsmith's publisher to coax a new Ripley novel out of her, Patricia takes him in in spite of her usual reservations. As the two of them begin to flesh out the new book a power struggle plays out between them as Edward slowly transforms into the sharp, charismatic and deadly Tom Ripley and a game of cat and mouse between author and her creation ensues. (See below for character descriptions).

AUDITIONS  will be held at the Mountview Theatre, 56 Smith St, Macedon on:


 

Saturday 16 November, 10am to 3 pm

Sunday 17 November, 10 am to 12:30 pm

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Rehearsals: Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Sundays (times to be determined once cast)

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Performances: February 28th - March 15th. 10 shows on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday 2.00pm matinee, plus evening Thursday 12th March

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THEATRE MEMBERSHIP: Successful applicants are required to become financial members of The Mount Players Inc. Membership is $30.00 for the year.

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CONTACT: To book your audition or for any enquiries, contact David Runnalls (Producer). Mob 0407 103 455 or drunnalls@gmail.com

CHARACHTERS:

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Patricia Highsmith 

Female, aged 50 to 65

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Fiercely intelligent and highly critical of everything, Patricia Highsmith is a force to be reckoned with. Equal parts brutal and brilliant she burns everything and everyone before her with her caustic tongue and gleefully indulges in a dark, sinister streak. Fiercely protective of her privacy she has lived in seclusion for 20 years. Based on real-life author Patricia Highsmith the role requires a reasonable physical resemblance. 

 

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• Accents: USA California

• Hair color: Black, Brown, Grey

 

 

Edward Ridgeway/Tom Ripley

Male, aged 18 to 25

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Edward Ridgeway is a green, mild-mannered young man potentially out of his depth. He is desperate to succeed in his quest to wrangle another Ripley novel out of Highsmith and displays just enough intelligence, creativity and charisma to gain her favour.

Tom Ripley is a "suave, agreeable and utterly amoral" con artist and serial killer. Sexually ambiguous and sophisticated, Ripley is a connoisseur of the arts of life and the refinements of sensual pleasures. Devoid of conscience. 

 

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• Ethnicity: White / Caucasian

• Accents: USA California, USA New York