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Close shave for group of hairy actors

February 01, 2005

woyzeck 064.jpgThey have presence, voice and experience, but the four male leads in a play to be performed at the University of New England need something else. A beard.
Director Barbara Altorjai-Albury insisted the beard (or ability to grow one) was essential for the four main male leads in the 19th Century German play, Woyzeck.
It is scheduled to be a highlight of the inaugural Armidale German Festival, to be held during March 12-19. Ms Altorjai-Albury has been working closely with staff in the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics at UNE to ensure the festival is a success.
A well-known local director, Ms Altorjai-Albury is producing the play in keeping with the German spirit.

She chose Georg Buchner’s Woyzeck, about a jilted soldier who kills his girlfriend.
Set in the early part of the 19th Century, Woyzeck has four male leads; the boyfriend, a doctor, a fellow soldier and a solicitor.
While all the actors who successfully auditioned for these parts were sufficiently hirsute, two have the added pressure of growing beards.
But one of the actors, Adam Cafarella, is forced to have his beard shaved at every performance, five in all, as well as a matinee.
All in the name of art.
Said one of the bearded main leads, actor Alexander Borkowski (who plays the strong, handsome Drum-Major in Woyzeck): “The playwright actually wrote that I had to have a beard like a lion, so, since rehearsals last year, I have been growing this mane.
“My wife doesn’t really like it, but it has to stay until the final performance in March.”
Buchner was in his early 20s when he wrote Woyzeck and died before writing its conclusion. It is often considered the first modern play, since its scenes are short and cinematic, depicting social pressures and frustrated ambitions. The play lasts for about 90 minutes and according to Ms Altorjai-Albury, includes black comedy.
Besides the bearded main characters, Woyzeck includes a chorus of young children and two female leads.
Assistant director Jenny Vaughan’s task is to find suitable wigs for the play.
Said Ms Altorjai-Albury: “As well as the beards, we need wigs, which were commonly worn around the same period. These will be used as propos in the play.
“Any wig will do, preferably one which we can crop at the back into a ponytail.”
Woyzeck opens on March 16 at the UNE Arts Theatre, Armidale.
The gala opening night is Thursday, March 17, when German Consul Dr Guenter Gruber is expected as a guest of honour.
Tickets cost $16 (concessions available) and can be bought from the Armidale Visitor Information Centre. A preview is Wednesday, March 16. Cost: $8. Final performance is March 19.
Phone 1800 627 736.

Posted by Lydia Roberts at February 1, 2005 10:29 AM