Mary, Mary (Parts One and Two) by Felicia Russell
Directed by Jesse Luciani
Mary, Mary (Part One)
Synopsis: 1794. Mary Wollstonecraft is unmarried, living on her own, and has a bay out of wedlock. A deadly combination for a woman. in the midst of her personal struggles, she's become the head frontman of a new movement that gained the term "feminism." With the realization that the best thing she can do for herself if the good that she can do for others, Mary uses her strongest weapon, her pen, to change the world around her.
Characters:
Mary W.- (To play 35.) A woman ahead of her time, Mary has been writing since she could pick up a pen, and she’s determined to fight the injustices of the world with it. She’s fairly extroverted, a leader, headstrong and isn’t afraid to speak up. Not to mention intelligent, and caring. She is also a natural when it comes to mothering her baby, Fanny. Throughout the piece she is always completing selfless acts, saving her sister, helping her partner, etc.
Gilbert Imlay- 40. An American diplomat to the UK whom Mary met during his time working abroad. Together they share their baby, Fanny. Gilbert is charismatic, and extroverted. But he has a cold side to him as well. He knows how to get what he wants. During the course of the play, he is unfaithful to Mary, causing the end of their relationship.
William Godwin- 38. An English born writer. Godwin and Mary share the same publisher, and he respects Mary’s work as an author. Like her, he is very liberal, forward thinking and in general, ahead of his time. But unlike Mary, he is very introverted. He is shy, quiet, and awkward at times. He does not have a flirtatious bone in his body. Eventually, he and Mary marry and have a daughter.
Eliza Bishop- 31. Mary’s younger sister, though more like a mother/daughter relationship. Eliza was a young, wistful bride eager to make a home and is now suffering postpartum anxiety/depression after the birth of her first born. Her fears and terror are mainly inflicted by her husband, Meredith.
Meredith Bishop- Eliza’s husband. He takes the title of “man of the house” extremely seriously. He expects Eliza to do as he says and comply with society's gender roles. He is a cunning figure with a hidden angry side. He is known to be kind and friendly, and then two minutes later, screaming and violent. *THIS ROLE CAN ALSO DOUBLE AS HENRY FUSELI
Henry Fuseli- A highly respected painter of his time, and most well known for his work, “The Nightmare.” Although kind, Fuseli is no stranger to the art of flattery and is very much the “misunderstood artist.” Early in the play, he is a character in Mary’s memories, specifically the moment where he tried to pursue her. *THIS ROLE CAN ALSO DOUBLE AS MEREDITH BISHOP
Mary, Mary (Part Two)
Synopsis: 1814. She's only 16, but as of yet, Mary Godwin's life has been shadowed by the success of her esteemed parents, and death. So it's no surprise that she feels most at ease around the macabre. Having just returned from Scotland back to her mundane life in London, Mary's one relief is letting herself melt into the writings of her late mother, Mary Wollstonecraft. While trying to figure out how to coexist with her stepmother, find her own voice as a writer, and a sense of innovation. Mary's world is turned upside down when she meets the enigmatic Percy Shelley. He might just be the escape (and inspiration) she's been looking for.
Characters:
Mary S.- (To play 16.) Before she invented the science fiction genre and created one of the most recognizable characters of all time, Mary Shelley was Mary Godwin. Just like any teenager she yearns to leave the stifling environment of home and make a name for herself. She is extremely headstrong and has no problem sticking up for herself and her beliefs. She is incredibly independent and ahead of her time. (But also, like many teenagers, she has a weakness when it comes to boys. In this case, Percy Shelley.)
Percy- (To play 21.) Percy is sensitive, handsome, charismatic, and he knows it. And what better way to put all these attributes to use than to turn it into poetry? It tends to be his romantic nature to find melancholy and tragedy in everyday life. Determined to become a renowned writer, Percy has put in the work, honing his craft, and doing his research. He greatly admires Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin. So it's no surprise that when he meets their beautiful daughter, Mary, he instantly falls in love and becomes devoted to her. Often toeing the line between slightly self absorbed and deeply in tune to those around him, Percy is as gray as a stormy cloud.
William- (To play 57.) A prolific writer of his time, William Godwin shocked the world with his liberal ideals and is considered an early exponent of anarchism. Now beyond his glory days, he's married and a father, and determined to be a good example for his children. (Especially Mary, his wild child.) He runs a small bookstore in London where he spends his days barely scraping by. He is dedicated to gain a protegee in the up and coming poet, Percy Shelley, in many ways, to bring about a renaissance for himself and his own career.
Fanny- (To play 19.) Mary's older sister. Fanny is loyal to her family, especially Mary. She is much quieter than her sister and is content to live life in the background rather than taking center stage. That being said, she is still a daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft, and shares her mother and sister's intelligence and liberal ideas. She can sense that she tends to come second to Mary, both at home and when it comes to love. Although this doesn't taint her love for her sister. She knows her place and owns her meekness.
Jane- (To play 45.) The quintessential wicked stepmother. Jane is well aware that she is not Mary Wollstonecraft and will never live up to her memory in anyone's minds. She lives day to day not only knowing that her husband is still deeply in love with his late wife, but being reminded of her by his two daughters. Stoic and cold, she's quick to snap. She needs to be in control and will go to any length to obtain it.
Mary W.- (To play 38.) The mother of Mary and Fanny. (In part two of this piece, we see her as a ghost, as a part of Mary's dream.) Considered the first feminist, Mary W. is immensely intelligent and ahead of her time. Though calm and reserved she is not a pushover. Her nurturing nature radiates off of her and she tends to come alive when she’s helping others. Especially when she is giving guidance to her daughter.
Audition info: Please submit your headshot, resume, and a self-tape including which character(s) you are interested in and a contemporary monologue no longer than 2 minutes to auditions.scp@gmail.com by 11:59 pm on Monday, February 24th. Please include any conflicts for the week of March 16th in the body of your email.
Cast will be required at 2-3 rehearsals to take place during the week of the show (week of March 16).
Performances: 3/21 and 3/22 at 7pm.