The Spanish Tragedie by Thomas Kyd, Baron's Men at the Curtain Theatre, October 17 - November 9, 2013

(www.thebaronsmen.org)

by Michael Meigs

Villainy was afoot and revenge was hot at the tidy Elizabethan-style Curtain Theatre on opening weekend, but Karen insisted that I bundle up as if I was going hiking in the winter mountains. And she was right; the temp must have sunk to around 50 F. by the time C. Robert Stevens as Hieronimo had coaxed the malefactors at the Spanish courtinto the play-within-a-play that's the climax of The Spanish Tragedie.

This costume drama by Thomas Kyd leaves almost as many dead and dying littered about the stage as Shakespeare did, between ten and twenty years later, at the conclusion of Hamlet . Kyd's work established the fashion for the revenge tragedy and endured on the Elizabethan and Jacobean stages until the Puritans shut the theatres in 1642.

Robert Stevens (photo: The Baron's Men)

The Baron's Men in Austin are proud to claim that theirs is the first 'original practices' staging in North America of this influential work that comes close to the status of a classic. As usual, they do a gorgeous job of it. The bare boards of that Elizabethan stage become a display case for lots of actors wearing the creations of some of the town's most accomplished costumers. Cherie Weed's casting and energetic direction keep the Tragedie lively throughout, a surprising and gratifying blend of comedy and revenge. The company enjoys its pre-Halloween shiver-makers -- they have twice staged their own compendium titled Medieval Macabre -- and this lengthy but never dull evening fits very well into the run-up to Halloween. Not least because it features the hovering figures of Death (Jennifer Fielding) and Revenge (Leanna Homquist) throughout the action.

Kyd was certainly playing to his public when he situated these elaborate deceits and plots at the Spanish court. Londoners feared and hated the Spanish, who sought to attack England with their glorious armada in 1588 (within five years, plus or minus, of the play's first staging). The playwright presents a triumphant Spanish king (Michael Saenger) who has just defeated the Portuguese, taking prisoner Crown Prince Balthazar. With Spain's dominion reasserted, the court is eager to unite the two kingdoms with an arranged marriage between the Portuguese Prince and Bel-Impera, Spain's lovely royal niece.

Read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com. . . .

THE SPANISH TRAGEDIE by Thomas Kyd, Baron's Men at the Curtain Theatre, October 20 - November 9, 2013

[performing at the Curtain Theatre, Garriot estate, 7400 Coldwater Canyon -- click for map]

present











directed by Cherie Weed 

Thomas Kyd’s groundbreaking play of murder and revenge
Thursdays-Saturdays, October 17, 2013 through November 9, 2013
Pre-show starts at 7:30 pm; Show starts at 8 pm
at The Curtain Theater, 7400 Coldwater Canyon - click for map

(Click to go to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)

Auditions for The Spanish Tragedie by Thomas Kyd, Baron's Men, May 2 - 4, 2013

The Spanish Tragedie is an Elizabethan tragedy written by Thomas Kyd between 1582 and 1592. Highly popular and influential in its time, The Spanish Tragedie established a new genre in English theatre, the Revenge Play or Revenge Tragedy. Containing several violent murders and a wide variety of characters, personifications and dumb shows, The Spanish Tragedy was often referred to (or parodied) by other Elizabethan playwrights, including William Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, and Christopher Marlowe.


The Baron’s Men will perform The Spanish Tragedie at The Curtain Theater in October/November of 2013. This show will be performed in a near uncut state, in period costumes, and with period effects.


Audition Information

The Baron’s Men are looking for men and women ages 18 and up. The roles of Bel-Imperia and Isabella are pre-cast. All other roles are open.


To view the cast list, download a free script or get more information, click here!


Actors should prepare a 1-2 minute monologue.


Please email audition@thebaronsmen.org to set up an audition appointment with your preference of a north or south date/time (see audition dates and locations below). If you are unable to make the Thursday/Friday audition dates, let us know and we will find an alternative time slot for you.


Audition dates: 
May 2, 2013 (North Austin location) – Time slots begin at noon with evenings available

May 3, 2013 (South Austin Location) - Time slots begin at noon with evenings available

May 4, 2013 – Callbacks – (Central Austin location)

Rehearsals will begin in late August.


Performance Information

Actor and crew call times will begin at 6:30pm. October 17, 18, 19; October 24, 25, 26; October 31, November 1, 2; November 7, 8, 9

All shows will begin at 8pm. Run time will be approximately 2 hours with one 15 minute intermission.


Crew Information

Are you interested in working as stage crew, or helping with costumes and props? The Baron’s Men work to provide a total experience. We are always looking for volunteers to assist with costumes, props, parking, vending, and much more. If you would like to help out, please contact audition@thebaronsmen.org and let us know what interests you.

Production for The Spanish Tragedie begins in May 2013.


Production staff:

Director - Cherie Weed; Producer - Katy Thompson; Stage Manager – Chris Casey; Make-up and Effects – Sarah Lee Schroeder