NIDA Recall Auditions 2016 –Scene Study Duologues

Prepare one of the following scene study options for your recall audition.

You should choose to portray a character from one of the following duologues.

You should memorise the part and be prepared to work with an actor in the room on the day.

1. Irina & Tuzenbach from The Three Sisters Page 2

by Anton Chekhov in a version by Benedick
Andrews

2. Tom & Meg from Away Page 5

by Michael Gow

1.
1. THREE SISTERS BY ANTON CHEKHOV
in a version by Benedick Andrews

Act Four

Irina and Tuzenbach enter.

TUZENBACH
He must be the only person who's happy that
the troops are leaving.

IRINA
Do you blame him?

Pause

IRINA (CONT'D)
This place will be empty - a ghost town.

TUZENBACH
I'll be back soon, darling.

IRINA
Where are you going?

TUZENBACH
I have to go into town and... say goodbye to my
friends.

IRINA
That's not true... Why are you so tense? - What's
going on?

Pause

IRINA (CONT'D)
What happened yesterday outside the theater?

Tuzenbach moves impatiently.

TUZENBACH
I'll be back in an hour and we'll be together.

He kisses her hands.

2.
 TUZENBACH (CONT'D)
I fell in love with you five years ago and I still
can't get used to it. You're more beautiful every
day. Your soft hair. Your eyes. I'll take you
away tomorrow and we'll work, we'll make
money, my dreams will come true. There's just
one thing missing - you don't love me.

IRINA
I can't help that. I'll be your wife. I'll be faithfull
and good to you, but I can't love you. That won't
change.

Pause

IRINA (CONT'D)
I've never loved anyone. I dreamed about love,
dreamed about it for a very long time - day and
night - but my heart is like a piano that's been
locked up and the key is lost.

Pause

IRINA (CONT'D)
You're tense - all tense.

TUZENBACH
I couldn't sleep last night... Nothing in life has
ever frightened me before but this lost key tears
my heart apart. Say something to me.

Pause

TUZENBACH (CONT'D)
Say something.

IRINA
What? What do you want me to say?

TUZENBACH
Anything.

IRINA
Stop it! Stop it!

Pause
3.
 TUZENBACH
Isn't it strange when - for no reason at all - the
tiniest most inconsequential things are suddenly
charged with meaning. Let's talk about something
else. I'm happy. As if I'm seeing all this for the
first time - the trees - the firs and the maples and
the birches - and it's like they're staring back at
me. Look at that tree - there. It's withered and
dead but still sways in the wind with the others.
That's how it will be if I die - I'll still be here. Part
of life.

He kisses her hands.

TUZENBACH (CONT'D)
Those papers you gave me are on my desk,
under the calendar.

IRINA
I'm coming with you.

TUZENBACH
No, no!

He walks away quickly then stops.

TUZENBACH (CONT'D)
Irina!

IRINA
What?

Tuzenbach is lost for words.

TUZENBACH
I haven't had my coffee today. Ask them to
make me some.

He exits. Irina stands lost in thought.

4.
2. AWAY BY MICHAEL GOW

Act One Scene Four

Backstage. Tom & Meg

TOM
You going away tomorrow?

MEG
We're leaving really early.

TOM
Well... have a good time.

MEG
Where are you going?

TOM
Up the coast. Some beach.

MEG
Have a good time.

TOM
Bound to.

MEG
See you.

TOM
Yeah... see you in pictures.

MEG
You too.

TOM
No thanks.

MEG
You were really good in the play.

TOM
Bull.
5.
 MEG
You were!

TOM
Cut it out. I'll get a fat head.

MEG
My olds are waiting.

TOM
Anyway, I got this for you. As a memento of the
play.

MEG
Thanks

TOM
It was a real laugh being in the plays with you.

MEG
No-o...

TOM
It was! So I got you something as a token of my
appreciation.

MEG
What is it?

TOM
If you open it up you might find out. It's a piece
of junk, actually. Actually I nicked it. But it's the
thought that counts.

MEG
You nicked it?

TOM
Actually, I got a night job and slogged me guts
out for ten years to pay for it.

MEG
A broach.

TOM
A mere bauble.
6.
 MEG
It's really nice. That's really nice of you.

TOM
Oh, stop before you start sobbing.

MEG
I really like it.

TOM
It's from the bottom of my heart, actually.

MEG
I wish I'd got you something.

TOM
I have some beautiful memories.

MEG
Oh yuck.

TOM
Sick, eh?

MEG
It was good fun, though. Pity it was only for one
night. Fancy doing it night after night like in
America. Plays go on for years there. London
too. Wouldn't you get sick of it?

TOM
Depends who else was in it. Be great if you
hated everyone's guts

MEG
But then it'd only be the same as a proper job.

TOM
What are you going to be when you grow up?

MEG
An engine driver. You?

TOM
I'll wait and see.

7.