Posts by Annabelle Lawrence

The Nomads will be presenting Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing in October 2018, directed by Andrew Hamel-Cooke.

A sharply witty romantic comedy – a battle of the sexes. As soldiers memories of conflict give way to a life of parties and masked balls, two fall madly, deeply in love, while another two reignite their own altogether more combative courtship.

• Performance dates: 9-13 October 2018 at 7:45pm
• Rehearsal days: Sunday, Monday, Thursday evenings – some daytimes can be arranged if a appropriate

Take a look at the reviews of the previous two Shakespeare plays presented by The Nomads and directed by Andrew, here:

• Twelfth Night – 2016
• A Midsummer Nights Dream – 2014

Audition dates:

• Please contact to arrange a date

Auditions will be held in the Bob King room at The Nomad Theatre, Bishopsmead Parade, East Horsley, Leatherhead, Surrey KT24 6RT (click here)

If you are interested in auditioning and/or would like further information, please email us to let Andrew know on [email protected] 

Note: The Nomads are a not-for-profit, non-professional group residing in a well designed theatre building. We are unable to offer expenses or payment for actors, all roles on and backstage are voluntary.

Casting still open for:

• Claudio –  Male – Playing age 20 – A young soldier who has recently returned from war.  Claudio falls in love with Hero upon his return to Messina. He is easily manipulated., wears his heart on his sleeve, and too quick to believe rumors, and reacts emotionally without enough thought.
• Margaret – Female – Playing age 20 – Hero’s serving woman, who unwittingly helps Borachio and Don John deceive Claudio into thinking that Hero is unfaithful.  Margaret is lower class, full of life and a bit sassy.   She unwittingly becomes involved in Don Johns plot.
• Ursula –  Female – Playing age 20’s – One of Hero’s waiting women.
• Borachio –  Male – Playing age 25 – An associate of Don John. Borachio is the lover of Margaret, Hero’s serving woman. He conspires with Don John to trick Claudio and Don Pedro into thinking that Hero is unfaithful to Claudio. His name means “drunkard” in Italian
• Antonio –  Male – Playing age 60’s – Leonato’s elderly brother and Hero’s uncle. He is Beatrice’s father.

Other characters (already cast):

• Balthasar –  Male – Any age – A waiting man in Leonato’s household and a musician. Balthasar flirts with Margaret at the masked party and helps Leonato, Claudio, and Don Pedro trick Benedick into falling in love with Beatrice. Should be able to sing.
• Benedick –  Male – Playing age 25 – Our Male lead…must be able to deliver a three dimensional character full of energy, humor and honestly.   Benedick is a soldier  recently returned from the war along with with Don Pedro and best friend Claudio. Benedick is quite charming, always making jokes and puns and carries on a “merry war” of wits with Beatrice.  Chemistry with female lead is paramount.
• Hero – Female – Playing age 20 – The beautiful young daughter of Leonato and cousin to Beatrice. Hero is lovely, gentle, and kind.  She also needs to have a well rounded character.  She has the lead in the prank that is played on Beatrice, she is scorned by her betrothed, and the actor who wins this role must be able to portray a wide range of emotions through the course of the play.
• Beatrice – Female – Playing age 25 – Beatrice is a strong willed woman, with a sharp wit and spirit.   Our Female lead must deliver a well rounded character with honesty and intellect.  She wages a war of wits against Benedick and often wins the battle. At the outset of the play, she appears content never to marry, however, she is in love with Benedick, just unwilling to admit it.  Chemistry with the male lead in paramount.
• Don Pedro –  Male – Playing age 50 to 60 – An important nobleman, sometimes referred to as “Prince.”  Don Pedro is a longtime friend of Leonato, Hero’s father. Don Pedro is generous, courteous, intelligent, and loyal to his friends. He is the most politically and socially powerful character in the play.  This character needs to be very charismatic.
• Leonato –  Male – Playing age  50 to 60 – A  well-to-do, elderly noble.  Leonato is the father of Hero and the uncle of Beatrice. As governor of Messina, he is second in social power only to Don Pedro.
• Don John – Male – Playing age 45 -55 – The illegitimate brother of Don Pedro; sometimes called “the Bastard.”  He is the villain of the play; his actions are motivated by his envy of his brother’s social authority, (or jealousy if cast as a female).
• Dogberry (/Hugh Oatcake) –  Male – Any age 30+ – The constable in charge of the Watch, or chief policeman, of Messina. Dogberry takes his job seriously, but isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. Middle class, with a desire to appear higher, which creates great humour in his choice of words.   Comedic timing is a must with this role.
• Conrad –  Male – Playing age 25 – One of Don John’s close associates, entirely devoted to Don John.
• Friar Francis – Male – Any age 30+ – The priest who married the lovers, and is the voice of reason in the show.   Compassion, patience, (humor) and stability are keys to his character.
• Sexton – Male – Any age 30+ – Leads the trial against the villains.