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Search forAuditions for Disney film close after too many entrants arrive
Wednesday, August 06, 2008, 11:05
People young and old who queued up for the chance to be a star will now have to wait untill casting resumes tomorrow morning at 10am.
Around 300 people have already been accepted into the auditions and a further 300 people have been turned away.
Just before casting closed for the day the team were handing out notes saying either 'yes' or 'no'. Those who were given notes saying 'yes' have been asked to come back tomorrow.
The casting agents of the new Tim Burton movie, Alice in Wonderland, saw the best that Plymouth had to offer in terms of extras.
Some in suits, some in jeans and T-shirt, some in dresses, the cool, the geeky, the glamorous and the not so glamorous queued from the front doors of the New Continental Hotel where auditions are taking place.
People were still joining the queue late this morning which saw the back of the queue reach Jesters in Union Street.
The turn-out this morning was so strong
that the casting team had started to whittle down the queues even before they got into the hotel, picking out only those they thought stood a chance of getting picked.
A casting team source told The Herald: "We are totally overwhelmed with the response."
The huddled masses and wannabe extras braved the Plymouth's uncanny and glorious summer weather from the very early hours.
Some travelled for hundreds of miles to be here.
First in the queue was 25-year-old songwriter Andy Lessiter, from Plymouth, who began his vigil at 2am.
He hopes to be among around 250 people who will be used as extras in the Disney film.
“I am auditioning because I would like to be a film actor,” he said, adding: “I have been on stage in plays at school and in college.
“I have been on my feet since 2am getting psyched up for it,” he said.
“I have been chatting and enjoying the crowd.
“I am looking forward to trying out for this,” said Mr Lessiter, who was accompanied by his wife, Sara, who was not trying out for the film.
Keith Feltham, aged 67, from Woolwell, was with his wife Janet, also aged 67.
He said: “I think it's a fun thing to do to be an extra. Tim Burton's films are always very creative.”
The former vicar admitted he only did drama in his youth, but added: “I am used to standing up in front of people.”
Dominique Cutts, aged 22, from Bere Ferrers, said: “I love Tim Burton's work, also Alice in Wonderland has always been a favourite story of mine, so I thought why not?
“I'd be really happy if I got picked. It's a unique thing to do.”
Daniel Drury, aged 19, from Plympton, studied drama at A Level, said a friend had phoned up after reading the story in The Herald.
He said: “It's in my local town so I thought go for it. It's not every day a film gets made here, especially in Plymouth.”
Shooting for the multi-million pound film, rumoured that Hollywood heart-throb Johnny Depp will star as the Mad Hatter, will take place in the city in September for two weeks.
The auditions will last until 6pm today and resume at 10am tomorrow, until 5pm.
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