Rose as Bel-Imperia/Isabella

When Rose walked in I knew she was made to play Bel-Imperia. Originally, I had wanted Jane, whom I felt had an willful style that would really work for Bel-Imperia, who does not want to let her brother dictate her romantic life. Unfortunately Jane was on holiday.

Rose, too, had this spunk to her that set her apart from so many other actresses who are better fit to play Abigail in The Jew of Malta. 

However, what really attracted me to Rose was the monologue she did for the audition. It was all about the absurdity and inequity of arranged marriages. She really knew what she was talking about.  Rose knew from personal experience what it felt like to have a patriarchal society dictating whom she may or may not marry. In the case of Bel-Imperia, she desires not to marry prince Balthazar and instead wants to follow her heart and marry Horatio, who is below her station. Rose told me, post audition, that she had set her mind to marry above her station against her father's wishes- and did just that. Her distaste of patriarchy, her passion for free love, her strong will, free spirit, and her disinterest in strict class divisions all made her the perfect candidate for Bel-Imperia.

Since we will be doubling up on roles, Rose will also be playing Isabella.

She will also be playing the General.

Needless to say, I can already tell that I will have great problems keeping Rose and Lacy off one another- but it works to my advantage. Their natural chemistry comes off perfectly on stage and brings the romance between Horatio and Bel-Imperia alive with fireworks.