The use of props
in an audition

Julia has been sent a letter by Proteus, one of her suitors, but because she is urged by her maid to read the letter, she instead tears it up. This is a fairly popular piece and therefore must be handled carefully. In addition, it relies on props (the pieces of the torn letter) and props cannot always be relied upon to do exactly what they are supposed to do. However, if the actor truly loves the piece and is prepared to be flexible and inventive with how and where the pieces fall, then it is a wonderful speech – the best one for a woman in the play.

The piece is not complicated in language or thought; rather, it relies on impulse and energy. The speech must be broken down to the smallest possible units and each one given full – and varied – value. It can be played full out for its comic value if the actor remembers that Julia is almost as much in love with being in love as she is in love with Proteus.

Key to the Piece: Since there is no guarantee as to where the pieces of the letter will fall, the actor must be prepared to pick up any piece and use it for the scene. Where the pieces fall doesn’t matter, so it allows Julia to be more violent in tearing and throwing.

Props

	Play:	Two Gentlemen of Verona
	Scene:	I, 2: 99 – 130
	Character:	Julia
	Setting:	Julia’s home, Verona
	Delaney performed the leading role of Deanie Loomis in the stage adaptation of William Inge�s Splendor in the Grass, as well as the role of Lady Croom in Arcadia. Her special interests include dialect work and costume design.

View example with prop failiure

 
This bauble shall not henceforth trouble me.
Here is a coil with protestation.
     She tears [Proteus’] letter and drops the pieces
Go, get you gone, and let the papers lie.
You would be fing’ring them to anger me.
…
Nay, would I were so angered with the same.
O hateful hands, to tear such loving words;
Injurious wasps, to feed on such sweet honey
And kill the bees that yield it with your stings.
I’ll kiss each several paper for amends.

She picks up some of the pieces of paper.
Look, here is writ “Kind Julia” – unkind Julia,
As in revenge of thy ingratitude
I throw thy name against the bruising stones,
Trampling contemptuously on they disdain.
And here is writ “Love-wounded Proteus.”
Poorly wounded name, my bosom as a bed
Shall lodge thee till thy wound be thoroughly healed;
And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss.
But twice or thrice was “Proteus” written down.
Be calm, good wind, blow not a word away
Till I have found each letter in the letter
Except mine own name. That, some whirlwind bear
Unto a jagged, fearful, hanging rock
And throw it thence into the raging sea.
Lo, here in one line is his name twice writ:
“Poor forlorn Proteus,” “passionate Proteus,”
“To the sweet Julia” – that I’ll tear away.
And yet I will not, sith so prettily
He couples it to his complaining names.
Thus will I fold them, one upon another.
Now kiss, embrace, contend, do what you will.