Dear Actor, Enclosed are two copies of your sides. One in modern type One from the first folio. Although the words are the same the spelling is different. You may choose to act from either one, your choice. If you prefer to do your first audition in standard American speech with Shakespeare s language, that is fine. Our production will be performed with original pronunciation as in Elizabethan time period. It will be directed by Ben Crystal, a leading scholar on this technique. If you have experience with original pronunciation, you may audition with it. However, we will teach everyone this during the rehearsals, and it is not required. If you do not already have experience with OP, I do not suggest you try it for the audition. It is your acting we are most interested in at this time, not your accent. Thank you, Jim Helsinger Artistic Director
sides TWELFTH NIGHT Orlando Shakespeare Theatre Viola Act II, scene 2 I left no ring with her. What means this lady? [She picks up the ring] Fortune forbid my outside have not charmed her! She made good view of me, indeed so much That methought her eyes had lost her tongue, For she did speak in starts distractedly. She loves me, sure! The cunning of her passion Invites me in this churlish messenger. None of my lord's ring? Why, he sent her none! I am the man. If it be so, as 'tis, Poor lady, she were better love a dream. Disguise, I see thou art a wickedness Wherein the pregnant enemy does much. How easy is it for the proper false In women's waxen hearts to set their forms! Alas, our frailty is the cause, not we, For such as we are made of, such we be. How will this fadge? My master loves her dearly, And I, poor monster, fond as much on him, And she, mistaken, seems to dote on me. What will become of this? As I am man, My state is desperate for my master's love. As I am woman (now, alas the day!), What thriftless sighs shall poor Olivia breathe! O Time, thou must untangle this, not I. It is too hard a knot for me t' untie. Page 1 of 3
sides TWELFTH NIGHT Orlando Shakespeare Theatre Scene Viola/Olivia Act I, scene 5 I see you what you are. You are too proud; But, if you were the devil, you are fair. My lord and master loves you: O, such love Could be but recompensed though you were crown d The nonpareil of beauty! How does he love me? With adorations, fertile tears, With groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire. Your lord does know my mind. I cannot love him: Yet I suppose him virtuous, know him noble, Of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth; In voices well divulged, free, learn d, and valiant; And in dimension and the shape of nature A gracious person: but yet I cannot love him; He might have took his answer long ago. If I did love you in my master's flame, With such a suffering, such a deadly life, In your denial I would find no sense; I would not understand it. Why, what would you? Make me a willow cabin at your gate, And call upon my soul within the house; Write loyal cantons of contemnèd love And sing them loud even in the dead of night; Halloo your name to the reverberate hills And make the babbling gossip of the air Cry out "Olivia!" O, you should not rest Page 2 of 3
sides TWELFTH NIGHT Orlando Shakespeare Theatre Between the elements of air and earth, But you should pity me! You might do much. What is your parentage? Above my fortunes, yet my state is well. I am a gentleman. Get you to your lord. I cannot love him: let him send no more; Unless perchance you come to me again, To tell me how he takes it. Fare you well: I thank you for your pains: spend this for me. I am no fee'd post, lady; keep your purse: My master, not myself, lacks recompense. Love make his heart of flint that you shall love; And let your fervor, like my master's, be Placed in contempt. Farewell, fair cruelty. [She exits] Page 3 of 3