My youngest son James has an exciting audition today, he will make a journey that could be life changing and pave the way for fame and fortune if successful. He could be the equivalent of the next Harry Potter.
James is auditioning for the lead role of Darren, a vampire’s assistant, in Cirque de Freak.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, it could well be the next Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. It certainly sounds like it. However, I must admit I am not familiar with these books.
Cirque du Freak is a freak show that comes to town and Darren becomes a vampire’s assistant, he is a half vampire so he has half the powers. There’s a war between the good vampires and the bad vampires. His best friend becomes head of the bad vampires and ultimately the books lead to a huge war between the two of them.
James, my 14-year-old, is auditioning for the lead role in this amazing production which will be filmed in Los Angeles. We have been rehearsing his script, which includes the use of a crucifix and garlic. He has to learn to speak with an American accent. I am not allowed to do this too while we practice as it makes him laugh so much. I don’t know why this American production does not want to use an American boy, I have been told a voice coach will be provided to help with the accent.
He will be travelling to London today for the audition with some other lads and agent from his Cambridge-based Young Actors Company, who sent the following info about the role of Darren:
Darren is an achiever in school and in sports who is questioning the reasons WHY he achieves. He has grown up in a well off, loving but very boring family. He is obsessed with spiders to the point where he steals an exotic spider from its owner, who turns out to be a 100 year old vampire. When the spider bites his best friend Steve, he will do anything to get the antidote from the vampire. He agrees to become a ‘half-vampire’ (he is able to go out during the day and he has half-vampire powers), becoming the vampire’s assistant. In doing so he gains a strange new mentor, and a bizarre new family – the freaks at the freak show where he and the vampire hide out……….
Of course, James is only one of many hopefuls. I know he is good, but then so are so many others. I have seen James play the lead role of Bert in Mary Poppins – oh, he was so brilliant, singing and dancing so confidently, wearing a smart boater and blazer, as well as being a charming chimney sweep, he was awesome.
His biggest challenge was as the Artful Dodger in Oliver (pic). A couple of days before the show, he injured his leg playing football and was unable to walk. He was wheeled into hospital for x-rays in a wheelchair. There was no understudy and he was heavily dosed on pain killers and limped considerably.
But the show had to go on. And it did.
I don’t know how, in those circumstances, he managed to dance so energetically with Nancy , to kick his legs high the way he did. I remember at the end of the show, he tried to disguise his pain as he hobbled towards me asking for Paracetamol, without making any mention of this to his fellow actors.
That’s my James.
So if he has to fight evil vampires, he will be more than ready for them.
[…] EmmaRiddle wrote an interesting post today on James’ audition today – as a blockbuster vampireHere’s a quick excerptHe could be the equivalent of the next Harry Potter. James is auditioning for the lead role of Darren, a vampire’s assistant, in Cirque de Freak. According to Rotten Tomatoes, it could well be the next Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. … […]
How fantastic Ellee! I wish him all the best for his passion!
Wouldn’t that be something. The next Harry Potter! I hope it is a successful audition whether he gets the part or not.
JMB, the important thing is that it is an enjoyable experience for James, it’s part of his learning curve. So many talented boys will be auditioning for this role, and it is thrilling to be included.
I hope it all goes well Ellee!
I would say ‘break a leg James’ but I think I’ll just send best wishes for a happy outcome.
Best of luck to him
Hope James enjoys his day in London… what an experience for him…
Good luck to James. Even if he doesn’t get this he sounds like he’s made of the stuff to get far. Does he have a professional name that we should watch out for?!
James thinks he did ok. This is the first of three rounds of auditions, I believe, and James said they were going for the right looks – and they thought he looked American. His audition was recorded and will be sent off to LA. He will know next week sometime.
About 100 boys auditioned, and there are several other roles up for grabs too.
Thanks for all your good luck wishes.
So should we be keeping an eye out for him on tonite’s episode of Whistle Blowers.
Funny same theme(s) on two programmes on two different channels – one after the other
Sounds like a promising audition,
Famous at 14 – Wow!
He’ll be after his own hollywood mansion soon.
Hi Q9, James wasn’t on Whistleblower tonight, maybe next week. You will be able to spot him because he will be wearing a green top, it’s his lucky one, and he wore it today too! James doesn’t have a speaking part, he’s hanging around in a youth club where advice is being given about alcohol. But he has a speaking part in Love Soup which should be on BBC 1 soon, the leading lady writes lifts his tee-shirt and writes her autograph on his bare chest.
Just to add that James is being very level headed and realistic about this and trying not to build up his hopes. His feet are firmly on the ground. Everytime I mention it, with a twinkle in my eye, he tells me to stop it, it might not happen.
It might not… but then again, it might!
Best of luck.
Seems like you’re a brilliant mum too!