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“Just something to think about,” Amanda said gently, undoubtedly sensing her hesitation. “In the meantime, try being a little kinder to yourself. And aim higher with the auditions. I know you’ve got what it takes. Also, some of these bigger theatrecompanies have better characters. Directors who know what they’re doing.”
Eden sighed and knocked back the last of her tea. She had gone to some of the auditions for bigger productions, but she never seemed to make it past the first round. The larger stuff seemed so untouchable, so unachievable. It was easier to stick to a more modest level. But perhaps Amanda was right; perhaps she had been playing it a bit too safe. What would it hurt to try out a few more times?
The warped jangling of Amanda’s phone, playing some awful cover of a Beatles song, rang out through the café, earning a few disgruntled stares. She glanced at the screen, seemingly unaware of the irritated eyes on them, while Eden sank low in her chair, hoping the ground would swallow her up whole.
“Oh shit, it’s Lily! Let me go outside and take this real quick.”
With a flourish of skirts, she was gone, leaving Eden alone with an empty teacup and a decimated custard tart. Lily was another of their theatre friends. Most of their friends were theatre friends who adored gossip. Eden was relieved because whatever tea Lily had to spill would probably distract Amanda from her compulsive need to psychoanalyse.
It also meant it could be a good hour before Amanda was back, although it was cold outside and Eden hoped her friend wouldn’t abandon her quite so readily.
She leaned back in her chair and distractedly fiddled with the end of her braid, mulling over what Amanda had said. Sure, she wasn’t really one for dating, but who cared? It was time consuming and expensive, and she had better things to be doing. It had nothing to do with the fact that Eden was gay, contrary to what Amanda might believe. It was more about her general anxiety.
Being in a relationship with someone meant letting them in. Exposing your rawest parts and asking them to still love you.Traditionally, Eden hadn’t done very well with that. Besides, she so adored her work. She couldn’t imagine giving it up for a second. Getting into a relationship would no doubt affect things. Her partner might want to move, to get a house, or to start a family. All things that would get in the way of Eden’s dream.
All of a sudden, Amanda burst back into the cafe, hair in disarray from the wind, but a sparkle in her eye.
“You’ll never guess what!” she chirped, plonking back down in the chair so excitedly that she almost bounced right back up.
“What?” Eden asked, with a wry grin. Lily always delivered.
“RBC are branching out. They’re doing a whole bunch of original works next season!”
“What?” Eden spluttered again. This time, her voice was equal parts disbelieving and hopeful. “RBC never branch out. When was the last time they put on something that wasn’t written in, like, the last two hundred years?”
“Apparently they’re mixing things up.” Amanda clasped her hands in front of her excitedly, as if she’d just been nominated for a Tony. “They’re doing a whole load of Shakespeare retellings. There’s going to be one about Puck, one from Lady Capulet’s point of view, I think maybe Horatio, too? But the biggest one is going to be about Beatrice fromMuch Ado About Nothing.”
Eden laughed, “Surely Horatio would be their flagship. Everyone lovesHamlet. It’s got the gravitas. WhyMuch Ado?”
Amanda shrugged, “It’s based on the book by Alicia Pearson. In the retelling, Beatrice doesn’t fall in love with Benedick because she’s actually gay. Also, she’s way more conflicted about what Claudio does to Hero. It’s quite good, actually. I read it when it first came out.”
“So, you think just because Pearson wrote it, that’s why they’re championing it?” Eden asked, still stunned by the rigidly traditional company’s unexpected move.
“Well, apparently . . .” Amanda began, lowering her voice. Equal parts conspiratorial and gleeful. “Genevieve Howard is directing it. So it has to be a pretty big deal.”
Eden’s mouth fell open with an audible “pop.”
“Genevieve Howard? As in knife-stage ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ Genevieve Howard? I thought she was a purist!”
“She is! But she’s directing this one and it’s being performed next summer! You should totally audition!”
“Audition for a Genevieve Howard show? Are you out of your mind? She’d skin me alive for having the audacity to walk in the room!”
Amanda threw her head back and laughed. “Come on, Eden; she’s not that bad. I met her once. At the opening night ofNell Gwyn. She was very nice!”
“Yeah, well, she wasn’t directing that one,” Eden muttered. “I’ve heard she’s terrifying. I don’t think I could face her.”
“Okay, maybe she’s a little scary. You gotta admit though; she’s bloody good.” Amanda’s eyes grew distant and a look of distinct admiration passed over her face.
“Why don’t you audition, then?” sniped Eden.
“Oh honey, I’m going straight for the Puck one! I’d kill as Titania. Maybe Lady Capulet as well, but probably only those two. Don’t want to spread myself too thin.”
Eden nodded, seeing her logic. It wasn’t the best practice to just hurl yourself at whatever audition you could get your hands on. You needed to take the time to do the research, to really get to know that character and the vision.
She knew Amanda was dreaming of fairies and swordplay, but Eden contemplated her own options. A play all about Beatrice. Eden liked Beatrice well enough, but wasn’t generally too fond ofMuch Ado About Nothing. She preferred the tragedies to the comedies. But from the sound of things, this play would focus more on the tragedy of Beatrice’s life andcircumstances. Personal choice, freedom, the fear of watching someone you love be so utterly destroyed. Then having to rely on a man to fix it.
It was all rather beguiling.How would Genevieve Howard pull it off?she wondered.A pondering, wistful Beatrice? An angry, passionate one, furious at her trappings? Some delicious mix of both? And to make her queer?Well, Beatrice had always struck Eden as the type, so that made sense. Even if the dynamic between Beatrice and Benedick was hilariously witty, she supposed that could exist outside of romantic attraction. Like with many Shakespeare heroes, Eden could easily imagine a gay interpretation of Benedick as well.
