Thérèse Raquin
by Émile Zola
Directed by Dan Dryer
Thérèse Raquin is an 1868 novel by French writer Émile Zola. Zola adapted the novel into a play, Thérèse Raquin, first staged in 1873.
Production dates: December 12, 13, 14 & 15 2018
PLAY READING
September 10th – Southwick Community Centre, Southwick Street. BN42 4TE
At 19.45
The event is open to all, and we hope many will join us for the sheer pleasure of the reading. But it is also a chance for anyone considering auditioning to hear the play and become familiar with the characters’ inter-play.
AUDITION DATES
September 17th – Monday – Southwick Community Centre, Southwick Street. BN42 4TE
At 19.45
September 18th – Tuesday – Southwick Community Centre, Southwick Street. BN42 4TE
At 19.45
PLAY STRUCTURE
Thérèse Raquin is a tale of passion, obsession, and the psychological aftermath of an unforgivable deed.
Thérèse is stifled by a dreary, arranged marriage to her first cousin, the sickly Camille, and is watched over by her oppressive mother-in-law.
She embarks on a reckless affair with her husband’s childhood friend, the idle Laurent.
Their secretive relationship goes unnoticed but Thérèse and Laurent believe their affair will be discovered.
Their frustration and passion drive them to a fatal decision. Thereafter they find themselves trapped in a waking nightmare of guilt and paranoia.
CHARACTERS
Thérèse – young woman – described as lithe and beautiful, she possesses a passionate and volatile personality.
Laurent – young man – described as having great physical strength and reserves of energy, Laurent is devoted to luxury and sensual pleasures.
Madame Raquin – older woman – described as sixty, a sturdy and self-confident woman of peasant origins. Mme Raquin is gradually beset by stiffness and paralysis and becomes more and more dependent on her niece, Thérèse.
Camille – younger man – described as light and slim, handsome in an effete way, and a weakling. Married to Therese. The marriage is passionless, uncomfortable, and fated for disaster.
Grivet – older man – described as a dry old stick fussy and garrulous.
Michaud – older man – described as elderly, bushy-haired, and a burly ex-policeman.
AUDITION PIECES
page number references are for the script – here as pdf
Pages 3 to 5 – Thérèse and Laurent :
From THERESE “Are you never satisfied?…” to THERESE “There now, you’ve left it too long. Hurry!”
Pages 6 to 9 – Thérèse, Mme Raquin, Camille :
From MME. RAQUIN “Camille, my darling …” to CAMILLE “Here he comes!”
Pages 11 to 13 – Thérèse, Laurent, Camille :
From THERESE “You’ve caught him exactly …” to THERESE “If you don’t, I shall.”
Pages 17 to 19 – Thérèse, Laurent, Grivet and Michaud :
From GRIVET “Quarter-past eight …” to MICHAUD “…and he soon saw me off the premises!”
Pages 36 to 37 – Thérèse and Laurent :
From LAURENT “Therese what do you think?…” to THERESE “As long as it takes. You promised.”
Pages 47 to 50 – Grivet and Michaud :
From MICHAUD “Let there be light and there was light …” to MICHAUD “Sit down, you fool; it’s all been taken care of.”