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Hi NAPM!
Does any one know when the next auditioning for Matilda will be?
Also, it sais that Matildas should be under 4,4ft (?) But do you think that it would be okay if you're slightly over?
I know there are schoolmates, but I would like to try for Matilda while I still can.
Please also VOTE above!
Thanks

Ahh unfortunately the Matildas are getting shorter and shorter and they seem to want them nearer 4'1" from my experience. The classmates parts are amazing though so I would still go for it!!

pinky3 wrote:Ahh unfortunately the Matildas are getting shorter and shorter and they seem to want them nearer 4'1" from my experience. The classmates parts are amazing though so I would still go for it!!

Thanks, what if you have an extremely petite frame? Do you think you could pass it off?

My dd went for Matilda and got through several rounds and was then told 'too tall'. She was just under 4'4" at the time and she is very slim. The website now says 4'3" so I think it would be unlikely. The audition process can be pretty long so they are really looking for girls who won't grow out of the part. It is so disappointing to have your hopes dashed at any stage. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I think they are highly likely to be strict on height I'm afraid.

I think it is rarely a good idea to ignore very clear casting briefs - it just tends to irritate the casting team. I watched a bit of a documentary once where the CD goes round with a stick with the correct maximum height on it. Anyone over that height just didn't get to audition.

I'd go for the classmates if I were you!

pg wrote:I think it is rarely a good idea to ignore very clear casting briefs - it just tends to irritate the casting team. I watched a bit of a documentary once where the CD goes round with a stick with the correct maximum height on it. Anyone over that height just didn't get to audition.

i could cite an open audition where you could crawl under the height stick if and only if you came from a particular agency

bet it wasn't the only one ever

My dd got to the final 8 for the role of Matilda, they said they thought she was a little too young at the age of 8 for the enormity of the role.
When she was almost 9 she went again and they said they still liked her but still too young. They contacted us another 6 months later wanting to see her again and asked how tall she was. She was 4'3" and they said she's the right age but now she is too tall!
As long as you live within the M25 you can still go for other roles though.

Ah. Yes, Mathsmum, I have to agree that "who you know" is often a very significant factor when it comes to getting seen. That doesn't sound fair at all, but then not much about this business is fair. It doesn't mean any of them were cast though...

I still thinking applying for something when you don't fit the brief is a bit pointless though. I'm sure there are lots of stories of people being successful by doing so, but I know there are lots of Casting Directors who get fed up with receiving submissions that don't fit the brief and that they will (unofficially) blacklist agencies that do it regularly and make a note of individuals who do it too. I would never bother to go against the brief in an open casting with a casting team I didn't know - I would just consider it to be a waste of my time and carrying far too big a risk of annoying a CD I might want to see when I did fit the brief.

What does happen - but I think it's different - is that a CD will ask to see someone who doesn't fit the brief, and it is possible that this is what has happened when you see people in an audition who clearly don't fit the brief. This will be because either the CD or director knows of them already and wants to consider them alongside others. That seems understandablle to me: these "exceptions" have already proved their worth in some way. Some agents also have considerable clout (as you have pointed out) and will be more likely to get their clients seen.

mathsmum wrote:

pg wrote:I think it is rarely a good idea to ignore very clear casting briefs - it just tends to irritate the casting team. I watched a bit of a documentary once where the CD goes round with a stick with the correct maximum height on it. Anyone over that height just didn't get to audition.

i could cite an open audition where you could crawl under the height stick if and only if you came from a particular agency

bet it wasn't the only one ever

I'd love to know what agency this is!!!!!

triple threat - isn't your daughter at the top end of the age range too? I think you said she was 12/13. Does that mean she is nearly 13?

I'm getting confused as to whom I'm taking to?
Is triple threat a mum or a daughter as one post says "me "and another my daughter?

I agree with not going for Matilda as they are really strict on the heights. One DD of my friend wasn't seen as she had grown beyond the 4'3. Have to remember that in the book - Matilda is only about 5, so even small 8/9/10's are really pushing the boundaries a bit - but they need to get the balance right between height, the demands of the performance (I saw it last week and was amazed at the standard), and of course the late nights and getting up for school the next day.

sounds like you might be perfect for the classmates though - and they had some funning and fantastic parts too. Matilda is a great character but I also loved Lavender, she had much better lines and got to make the audience laugh.

There is absolutely no point in going for something where you don't fit the brief except - as pointed out - if you are specifically requested by the CD.

Jessica Ronane sends out a brief for Matilda to everyone who makes contact in which she is very clear that she doesn't welcome, or consider, suggestions which do not fit the brief - no exceptions.

So even if you have time to waste putting yourself forward, she doesn't.

But the ensemble roles (which include Lavender) are up to 5ft, so if you are within the M25 and a very competent singer and dancer, why not go for it?

Hope this helps

Deb x

Ok I think that we'll go for a classmate as it seems that they are really good roles too! Do you go for specifically one or any?

You apply for ensemble - they decide which part suits who.