OPEN AUDITIONS
TWO FEMALE ROLES - PAID
About the film
This short film looks at the harrowing realities of intimate partner abuse. It follows the emotional and physical journey of Alice who is trapped in a relationship marked with manipulation, jealousy and control.
Inspired by Shakespearean themes in Macbeth, Hamlet, Taming of The Shrew, Othello and other plays, this award winning script uses the Bard’s timeless words to give poetic expression to a contemporary issue: Domestic Abuse.
"Words to the heat of deeds, too cold breath gives."
PLEASE NOTE
Filming will take place in and around Salisbury in either April or May.
It will be a paid 12 hour a day, five day shoot - Food will be provide.
However, as it is self funded, I am not able to pay for travel or accommodation during the filming days, so I am ideally looking for actresses who live locally, or can find their own accommodation or live within half and hour travel time of Salisbury.
For more info please email: info@richardaclarke.co.uk
CHARACTERS
ALICE
Confident women, 30-40.
She is a successful business woman, and feels now is the time to settle down.
With numerous unsuccessful relationships in the past, she hopes she has finally met the man of her dreams in Edmund.
But unknown to her, Edmund hides a sinister secret.
"If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then to me."
PORTIA
Strong independent woman, 30-40
She has been a close friend of Alice and is protective of her.
She speaks her mind and doesn't suffer fools gladly, she says it how it is, and doesn't hold back when she sees her friend being controlled.
"If you prick us do we not bleed?
If you poison us do we not die?
And if you wrong us shall we not be revenged?"
Both actress must have a good understanding of Shakespearean text.
This is a modern day short film which uses the bard's words to explore the subject of Domestic Abuse and the complex questions around vengeance, justice and whether, in seeking retribution, the avenger becomes a villain.
"I will have such revenges on you, what they are, yet I know not, but they shall be the terrors of the earth."
When & Where
Date
March 18th 2026 - 11am - 5pm
As this is an open audition please arrive from 11am onwards, last admission will be at 4pm and the auditions will finish at 5pm.
We have hired two rooms, one will be where you will wait with a member of the production team, you will then be shown to another room for the audition.
You may be asked to stay behind after your audition as the director may wish to hear you read against another actress.
Venue
Salisbury City Hall,
Malthouse Lane,
Salisbury,
SP2 7TU
Parking available behind the venue in the Central Car Park. Salisbury train station is a short walk away along Fisherton Street.
AUDITION PROCESS
Please download and print off the Audition form, and bring the completed form and
a recent headshot with you when you attend the audition.
Please print off the scenes you are auditioning for or have them on a phone or tablet.
Audition Form & Audition Pieces
These are the scenes that will be used at the auditions. Please familiarise yourself with the text, we are not expecting you to learn them, but to be able to sight read them clearly and confidently without stumbling over the directions is important.
Please select at least two scenes for the auditions.