Introduction
We would like to hear from professional actors who wish to be considered for their new theatre production in May 2018. The play is written by award winning writer Pearse Elliott, directed by Rawlife’s artistic director Martin McSharry and will be rehearsed and performed in Belfast followed by a local tour.
This is an opportunity to work with the award winning Pearse Elliott and Rawlife theatre company who have a proven track record of presenting edgy, dark but funny theatre about modern life as in ‘Here We Lie’, ‘As the Tide Ebbs’; ‘Lanciatore’, ‘Septic Tiger’ and ‘The Christening’.
This is a production in which West Belfast meets East (Middle-East that is) and is a hard-hitting, dangerous comedy. Azir, a political refugee, comes here to escape a life of persecution only to find himself right back where he started. He gets taken advantage of by Duff a local drug enforcer and gets dragged into a life of crime from which he tries to escape. However, Azir is not the only victim of Duff’s sociopathic behaviour as his Duff’s impressionable protégées Cricky and Lala are also led down a path of delusional dreams and idealistic dead ends. It will be an entertaining black comedy about how idealism and the struggle for freedom can lead to many different places, some hopeful but others violent.
Characters
DUFF
Male: (50+): He is an ex paramilitary anti-drug enforcer with sociopathic tendencies. He makes his money by forcing drug dealers to pay him and his gang for protection. He has a strong (steroid) physical presence.
(Excellent Belfast accent essential.)
LALA
Female: (25-30): She and Duff are in a sexual relationship. She is a strong feisty woman who has a strategic plan to convince Duff to kidnap and force a drug dealer (Turbo) into revealing where his cache of money is hidden. She expects a handsome cut when the cash is stolen.
(Excellent Belfast accent essential.)
CRICKY
Male: (25-30): Duff’s apprentice, physical presence. He is an idealistic republican who looks up to Duff as a here of the war, but is now slowly becoming disillusioned with Duff's financial and selfish activities
(Excellent Belfast accent essential.)
AZIR
Male: (35-45): He is an illegal political refugee from a war torn African country who had made his way here via unscruplious people traffickers. Having lost his family enroute he now depends on Duff for accommodation and food in return for slave labour.
Ideally looks African/Middle Eastern in origin.
TURBO
Male: (35-45): He is a tough, successful local drug dealer who refuses to pay protection money to Duff's organisation for protection. This brings him into inevitable conflict with Duff.
Applications
Please email an up-to-date CV with contact details and a recent colour headshot to martin@rawlife.co.uk.
Submissions from agents are also welcome.