AUDITIONS
Open auditions are held for each High Tor Players production, and new members are always welcome.
As You Like It
by William Shakespeare
Wednesday 29th April to Saturday 1st May 2026
Auditions for our 2026 spring production of William Shakespeare's As You Like It will be held in Matlock on Thursday 4th December and Thursday 11th December in Matlock at The Lime Tree - Conference and Event Centre (formerly Church in the Peak), Lime Tree Business Park, Lime Tree Road, DE4 3EJ
As You Like It is one of Shakespeare's celebrated comedies. When Rosalind is banished by her friend Celia's father, Duke Frederick, both women flee to the Forest of Arden disguised as "Ganymede" and "Aliena." There, Rosalind encounters Orlando, with whom she had fallen in love before her banishment. While disguised as Ganymede, she tests Orlando's love by having him woo her as if she were Rosalind. The play culminates in a quadruple wedding after Rosalind reveals her true identity.
For more information or to express an interest in auditioning, please Get In Touch.
Characters
Below is a breakdown of the various roles available. Please don't feel that you have to audition for a specific role, and likewise, even if you don't see a role which you think fits you, you may be surprised to find that the director might! There are 17 characters in the play, so this will be an exciting ensemble production which suits a wide range of experience.
DUKE SENIOR - driven from his dukedom by his envious younger brother Frederick. Now living in the Forest of Arden with the nobles who have stayed loyal to him, and rather enjoying it. Unworldly, philosophical, popular. A devoted father and uncle. Men who are disenchanted with his brother frequently arrive in the Forest to support him, so Frederick continues to be jealous of him. Male, 40s/50s/60s
ROSALIND - his daughter. Although disenfranchised and no longer Princess, she has been allowed by Duke Frederick to stay at court with her cousin instead of being banished with her father. Lively, witty and affectionate. Eventually exiled, due to Frederick’s jealousy of her popularity with his subjects, and goes to the Forest of Arden too. By then, she has fallen in love with Orlando de Boys. Female, 20s/30s
JAQUES - a gloomy aristocrat, loyal to Duke Senior, who has a cynical, melancholy view of the world. Shares the Duke’s exile from court. It has been suggested by literary critics that he/she personifies political satire, which tells truth to power. The writing and publishing of political satire was banned in 1599 (and therefore exiled), since the Queen and her ministers did not like being the butt of jokes. Jaques is a more ironic, contemporary kind of comedian than a traditional Fool, and Duke Senior enjoys their philosophical discussions because the Duke, unlike his brother, prefers being told the truth to being flattered. However, in the Forest, Jaques becomes surprisingly fascinated by Touchstone’s optimism and simple way of thinking about life. Male/Female, 40s/50s
AMIENS - a nobleman/woman who has followed Duke Senior into exile and, unlike Jaques, helps him in practical ways, while Jaques entertains him by talking. Male/Female, 40s/50s
DUKE FREDERICK - Duke Senior’s younger brother. Moody and emotional by nature (“humorous”, ie. ruled by conflicting humours in the body rather than in the sense of being amusing). Envious of the popularity of his brother (and, eventually, jealous of Rosalind, on his own daughter’s behalf) and doesn’t enjoy being in charge as much as he thought he would. Generally unpopular. Behaves erratically. Male, 40s/50s
CELIA - Duke Frederick's daughter. Devoted to her cousin Rosalind and determined to accompany her when Frederick exiles her. She seems shyer than her cousin, but knows her own mind and makes her feelings clear. Oliver de Boys is instantly attracted to her. Female, 20s/30s
TOUCHSTONE - Duke Frederick’s Fool. A traditional, optimistic Fool, in contrast to Jaques. Fools in Shakespeare are responsible for keeping Royal and noble people grounded by reminding them that we are all essentially the same. Touchstone, who is devoted to Celia, knows that Duke Frederick does not appreciate him or his function, so instead he accompanies Celia and Rosalind into exile in the Forest of Arden. He adjusts surprisingly well, making friends with Corin, who teaches him about rural life, and even finding a wife there. Male, 40s/50s
BELLE - Duke Frederick’s glamorous mistress. She is under no illusions about his nature, and explains his behaviour to Orlando, but stays with him because being a courtesan is her career. She manages his life and relationships with others. She is really on the side of the virtuous characters, so at the end of the play she joins them in the Forest of Arden to tell them about Frederick’s religious conversion and change of heart. Female, 40s
CHARLES - a professional wrestler, employed by Duke Frederick as entertainment. Only appears in the first part of the play but has important lines, informing the audience about what’s going on in court and about Orlando’s plans to wrestle with him. Male, 30s/40s
OLIVER - eldest son of a recently-deceased knight, Sir Roland de Boys, a lifelong friend of Duke Senior’s. Oliver has inherited his father’s wealth, on condition that he makes provision for his two younger brothers. The youngest (Jack) is still away at school. Oliver is jealous of his middle brother, Orlando, who is more popular and promising than himself. He tries to ignore him and refuses to give him the money left to him by their father or to organise anything for his future. He repents towards the end when Orlando saves his life in the Forest, and falls instantly in love with Celia. Male, 20s/30s
ORLANDO - Oliver’s younger brother. Charismatic, attractive, athletic (talented wrestler) and popular, but frustrated by his lack of opportunity to educate himself and make his way in the world. He knows Oliver is holding him back on purpose, which makes him hot-tempered. Falls in love with Rosalind at first sight. Male, 20s/30s
ADAM - the de Boys’ 80-year-old servant, who gives Orlando his life savings and accompanies him into exile in the Forest of Arden. He symbolises lifelong fidelity and is an admirable character. At the end, he appears as Hymen, god of Marriage, and performs the blessing over the marrying couples. Male 70s/80s
CORIN - an elderly shepherd who lives in the Forest of Arden. He is unusual in Shakespeare for being a “straight”, admirable character rather than a comic countryman, and educates Touchstone about the satisfaction of the simple life, independence and hard work. Male, 60s/70s
SILVIUS - a young shepherd who is madly in love with Phoebe and inclined to be melodramatic due to the intensity of his feelings. He regards Corin as a mentor, but refuses to believe that such an old man could ever have been in love. Instead of being sensible and investing in the sheepcote and flock that Rosalind and Celia end up buying, he spends his time moping about Phoebe, and is eventually in competition with the disguised Rosalind for her affections. Male, 20s/30s
PHOEBE - a young(ish) shepherdess who is rather pleased with herself and aware of her own attractions. She has got so used to Silvius’s adoration that she considers herself too good for him, and has no intention of marrying him, even though she likes him and he is the obvious husband for her. When she sees Rosalind dressed as a boy, she instantly falls in love with her, and so learns what unrequited love feels like. Female, 20s/30s/40s
AUDREY - a middle-aged goatherd. She is the antithesis of Phoebe and has no pretensions to beauty. She is, however, the only woman who will give Touchstone the time of day, so he is determined to marry her and, despite her lack of looks (Touchstone calls her “an ill-favoured thing…..but mine own”), two men want to marry her. She prefers Touchstone but is sympathetic to her other suitor, William, and shows endearing self-deprecation: “I am not a slut, though I thank the gods I am foul.” Female, 30s/40s/50s
WILLIAM - a tiny part, but funny, probably written for a trainee actor. He is in love with Audrey but is easily seen off by Touchstone, although it is obvious that he would make a much better husband for her. Male, 40s
As You Like It
by William Shakespeare
Wednesday 29th April to Saturday 1st May 2026
Auditions for our 2026 spring production of William Shakespeare's As You Like It will be held in Matlock on Thursday 4th December and Thursday 11th December in Matlock at The Lime Tree - Conference and Event Centre (formerly Church in the Peak), Lime Tree Business Park, Lime Tree Road, DE4 3EJ
As You Like It is one of Shakespeare's celebrated comedies. When Rosalind is banished by her friend Celia's father, Duke Frederick, both women flee to the Forest of Arden disguised as "Ganymede" and "Aliena." There, Rosalind encounters Orlando, with whom she had fallen in love before her banishment. While disguised as Ganymede, she tests Orlando's love by having him woo her as if she were Rosalind. The play culminates in a quadruple wedding after Rosalind reveals her true identity.
For more information or to express an interest in auditioning, please Get In Touch.
Characters
Below is a breakdown of the various roles available. Please don't feel that you have to audition for a specific role, and likewise, even if you don't see a role which you think fits you, you may be surprised to find that the director might! There are 17 characters in the play, so this will be an exciting ensemble production which suits a wide range of experience.
DUKE SENIOR - driven from his dukedom by his envious younger brother Frederick. Now living in the Forest of Arden with the nobles who have stayed loyal to him, and rather enjoying it. Unworldly, philosophical, popular. A devoted father and uncle. Men who are disenchanted with his brother frequently arrive in the Forest to support him, so Frederick continues to be jealous of him. Male, 40s/50s/60s
ROSALIND - his daughter. Although disenfranchised and no longer Princess, she has been allowed by Duke Frederick to stay at court with her cousin instead of being banished with her father. Lively, witty and affectionate. Eventually exiled, due to Frederick’s jealousy of her popularity with his subjects, and goes to the Forest of Arden too. By then, she has fallen in love with Orlando de Boys. Female, 20s/30s
JAQUES - a gloomy aristocrat, loyal to Duke Senior, who has a cynical, melancholy view of the world. Shares the Duke’s exile from court. It has been suggested by literary critics that he/she personifies political satire, which tells truth to power. The writing and publishing of political satire was banned in 1599 (and therefore exiled), since the Queen and her ministers did not like being the butt of jokes. Jaques is a more ironic, contemporary kind of comedian than a traditional Fool, and Duke Senior enjoys their philosophical discussions because the Duke, unlike his brother, prefers being told the truth to being flattered. However, in the Forest, Jaques becomes surprisingly fascinated by Touchstone’s optimism and simple way of thinking about life. Male/Female, 40s/50s
AMIENS - a nobleman/woman who has followed Duke Senior into exile and, unlike Jaques, helps him in practical ways, while Jaques entertains him by talking. Male/Female, 40s/50s
DUKE FREDERICK - Duke Senior’s younger brother. Moody and emotional by nature (“humorous”, ie. ruled by conflicting humours in the body rather than in the sense of being amusing). Envious of the popularity of his brother (and, eventually, jealous of Rosalind, on his own daughter’s behalf) and doesn’t enjoy being in charge as much as he thought he would. Generally unpopular. Behaves erratically. Male, 40s/50s
CELIA - Duke Frederick's daughter. Devoted to her cousin Rosalind and determined to accompany her when Frederick exiles her. She seems shyer than her cousin, but knows her own mind and makes her feelings clear. Oliver de Boys is instantly attracted to her. Female, 20s/30s
TOUCHSTONE - Duke Frederick’s Fool. A traditional, optimistic Fool, in contrast to Jaques. Fools in Shakespeare are responsible for keeping Royal and noble people grounded by reminding them that we are all essentially the same. Touchstone, who is devoted to Celia, knows that Duke Frederick does not appreciate him or his function, so instead he accompanies Celia and Rosalind into exile in the Forest of Arden. He adjusts surprisingly well, making friends with Corin, who teaches him about rural life, and even finding a wife there. Male, 40s/50s
BELLE - Duke Frederick’s glamorous mistress. She is under no illusions about his nature, and explains his behaviour to Orlando, but stays with him because being a courtesan is her career. She manages his life and relationships with others. She is really on the side of the virtuous characters, so at the end of the play she joins them in the Forest of Arden to tell them about Frederick’s religious conversion and change of heart. Female, 40s
CHARLES - a professional wrestler, employed by Duke Frederick as entertainment. Only appears in the first part of the play but has important lines, informing the audience about what’s going on in court and about Orlando’s plans to wrestle with him. Male, 30s/40s
OLIVER - eldest son of a recently-deceased knight, Sir Roland de Boys, a lifelong friend of Duke Senior’s. Oliver has inherited his father’s wealth, on condition that he makes provision for his two younger brothers. The youngest (Jack) is still away at school. Oliver is jealous of his middle brother, Orlando, who is more popular and promising than himself. He tries to ignore him and refuses to give him the money left to him by their father or to organise anything for his future. He repents towards the end when Orlando saves his life in the Forest, and falls instantly in love with Celia. Male, 20s/30s
ORLANDO - Oliver’s younger brother. Charismatic, attractive, athletic (talented wrestler) and popular, but frustrated by his lack of opportunity to educate himself and make his way in the world. He knows Oliver is holding him back on purpose, which makes him hot-tempered. Falls in love with Rosalind at first sight. Male, 20s/30s
ADAM - the de Boys’ 80-year-old servant, who gives Orlando his life savings and accompanies him into exile in the Forest of Arden. He symbolises lifelong fidelity and is an admirable character. At the end, he appears as Hymen, god of Marriage, and performs the blessing over the marrying couples. Male 70s/80s
CORIN - an elderly shepherd who lives in the Forest of Arden. He is unusual in Shakespeare for being a “straight”, admirable character rather than a comic countryman, and educates Touchstone about the satisfaction of the simple life, independence and hard work. Male, 60s/70s
SILVIUS - a young shepherd who is madly in love with Phoebe and inclined to be melodramatic due to the intensity of his feelings. He regards Corin as a mentor, but refuses to believe that such an old man could ever have been in love. Instead of being sensible and investing in the sheepcote and flock that Rosalind and Celia end up buying, he spends his time moping about Phoebe, and is eventually in competition with the disguised Rosalind for her affections. Male, 20s/30s
PHOEBE - a young(ish) shepherdess who is rather pleased with herself and aware of her own attractions. She has got so used to Silvius’s adoration that she considers herself too good for him, and has no intention of marrying him, even though she likes him and he is the obvious husband for her. When she sees Rosalind dressed as a boy, she instantly falls in love with her, and so learns what unrequited love feels like. Female, 20s/30s/40s
AUDREY - a middle-aged goatherd. She is the antithesis of Phoebe and has no pretensions to beauty. She is, however, the only woman who will give Touchstone the time of day, so he is determined to marry her and, despite her lack of looks (Touchstone calls her “an ill-favoured thing…..but mine own”), two men want to marry her. She prefers Touchstone but is sympathetic to her other suitor, William, and shows endearing self-deprecation: “I am not a slut, though I thank the gods I am foul.” Female, 30s/40s/50s
WILLIAM - a tiny part, but funny, probably written for a trainee actor. He is in love with Audrey but is easily seen off by Touchstone, although it is obvious that he would make a much better husband for her. Male, 40s