Performances 12-17 April 2027 in the Auditorium

N.B. Rehearsals won’t start immediately

Directed by Jae Marriott

Production Style & Concept

This production embraces Berkoff’s signature highly physical, nonnaturalistic style. Expect bold movement, ensemble precision, exaggerated characterisation, and stylised vocal work.

The world of The Trial is deliberately distorted and surreal. Joseph K remains the closest thing to a naturalistic character, though even he exists in this world of heightened reality. Around him, the ensemble will create a host of grotesque, comic, and highly stylised characters, each defined by distinct physical and vocal signatures.

Performers will collaboratively build the environments of the play using lightweight, movable doorway structures, which will be manipulated to form corridors, staircases, labyrinths, streets and any other space that K inhabits.

The cast must work as a tight-knit ensemble, moving fluidly between roles and transitions.

Please note that everybody will be on stage almost all of the time.

Cast Breakdown

Joseph K — The central protagonist. The only character with any semblance of naturalism.

Ensemble (6–12 performers) — Multirolling actors who will portray the many characters K meets, including:

• Mrs Grubach — K’s landlady
• Miss Burstner — Friend, femme fatale, and distraction
• Two Guards — Sent to arrest K
• Huld — A pompous lawyer who revels in his own voice
• Leni — Huld’s assistant and another temptation
• Block — A pathetic, desperate client of Huld
• Laundress — Yet another diversion for K
• Titorelli — A largerthanlife, eccentric artist
• Plus: many other fantastical cameo roles, alongside the myriad of ensemble characters that are required.

Performers must be comfortable with physical theatre, exaggerated characterisation, ensemble timing and rapid transitions.

Audition Format

The audition will take the form of a physical and vocal workshop, exploring movement, improvisation, and ensemble playing.

Physical freedom, creativity, and responsiveness are essential.

All auditionees should prepare the following speech:

Act 1, Scene 1 — Joseph K’s Speech

From “There must be some mistake” (p.22) to “There must be some mistake” (p.23)

Come prepared to Improvise and Play!