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12:18 pm
July 9, 2009
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Hey guys. It was announced in November that HBO and the BBC were teaming up to do an adaptation (I assume a film or miniseries) of Hilary Mantel’s excellent Wolf Hall. A few people who heard about it and know of my love for Anne Boleyn have encouraged me to go out for the part, and after the third person said something (shoutout to Paudie!) I decided to take it seriously and let myself dream a little. So now my goal is to play Anne Boleyn in Wolf Hall.
I AM an actress-I have a university degree in theatre, and have been in plays, films, music videos, and commercials. My agent doesn’t have contacts overseas, so I approached the production company myself-they were very helpful and let me know that casting will begin in a couple months. So thisis where you guys, the amazing Anne Boleyn community-please give me any advice that you can! Does anyone have any contacts at BBC, HBO, Company Pictures, or Playground Entertainment (a long shot, I know, but worth a shot!)?
I’m going to send in an audition tape, and I’m thinking of “performing” Anne’s real-life speech from the scaffold, as Wolf Hall doesn’t have extensive dialogue I can turn into a monologue-good idea? Is there another monologue anyone could suggest? I don’t have a copy of the book at the moment-does anyone know of any good Anne/Cromwell scenes from it I should do? Another problem is that I’m an American girl in an American market, so if anyone has any insider knowledge of showbiz in England please tell me! I’m probably going to use an accent for the audition, most likely English layered with a slight French accent, since in Wolf Hall Anne calls Cromwell “Cremueil.”. Any help on this front would be extremely appreciated. I may have to end up hiring a dialect coach but I want to avoid the extra expense if I can.
I know this is a lot and I have a lot of questions, but I could really use your help and advice! Thanks guys!
Ainsi sera, groigne qui groigne.
5:21 pm
July 9, 2009
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Bump.
Ainsi sera, groigne qui groigne.
7:36 pm
January 9, 2010
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How cool would it be to have a forum member play Anne in a TV series?!!!!!
I can't help much with the audition process but I think Annes speech from the scaffold is a good idea, especially as its her own words. Off the top of my head I can't recall any great dialogue between Cromwell and Anne in Wolf Hall – it seemed he spent more time talking to Mary Boleyn and Jane Seymour than he did her. But all the best of luck and keep us up to date with your progress! 
11:38 am
February 24, 2010
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Hi Melissa,
How exciting. 
It would be awesome if a member of this forum were to play Anne. (or any of the female characters in the book) Mary actually had more dialogue in this book than Anne did. It was my thought that at the end, Cromwell was looking forward to a few days at Wolfhall for more than a relaxing vacation. I was under the impression he was very interested in seeing Jane. It has been a while since I read the book, but I think Cromwell had a soft spot for her.
I really can't think of any good dialogue between Anne and Cromwell from the book either. I'll just have to take another look. I love the idea of you doing the scaffold speech though. Good luck to you, Melissa, and keep us posted.
2:08 pm
July 9, 2009
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Yes Mary is definitely the Boleyn “star” of Wolf Hall-she comes off rather likeable to me, despite being portrayed as extra sl*tty IMO. And yes, Cromwell has a thing for Jane. Blech! I remember saying in another post (at least a year ago) that I wouldn't dream of ever playing Anne. Well forget that! I was thinking of Anne as a leading lady, and in Wolf Hall she is definitely relegated to supporting-player status, which is just fine for me since it increases my chances of getting the part and gives the actor more creative freedom.
Mantel's Anne is very much a willing pawn of her family, extremely ambitious, with a reputation for ruthlessness. She is described as calculating, with eyes always looking for something to use to her advantage, with a slight French accent. She knows her sister is still sleeping with the king and hates it, pinching Mary to leave bruises so the king won't want her but accepting that any Boleyn in his bed is better than none at all. ANYONE WHO HAS READ THE BOOK please feel free to add to this characterization and let me know if you disagree. I am taking this very seriously and need all the help I can get!
Ainsi sera, groigne qui groigne.
9:18 pm
May 16, 2011
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Wow! This sounds sooo exciting and to play Anne? That would literally be a dream come true.
I have absolutely no contacts though LOL, i'm just more of a watcher and reader so i won't be helpful there at all. Good Luck!!!!
• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
10:52 am
March 26, 2011
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This is sooo exciting!
I think the first conversation Cromwell has with Anne when he meets her (and her dogs) is a very good point in the book that shows Anne's character.I also think layering a French accent with an English one would be a very good idea.
On the point of accents, I would suggest avoiding Portman's style of English accent in TOBG, as I felt that her English accent was too pinched and forced! It detracted me from her performance. Scarlett Johanson on the other hand, delivered a much more natural sounding accent and I think that showed that less is more. Im sure if you could create your own accent for Anne though, it would be interesting and fresh
Good Luck
7:53 pm
May 16, 2011
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I like Claire-Louise's idea about layering a French accent with a English one would be absolutely wonderful, It probably
would sound alot like real Anne would because all that time spent in France and still being English.
Somedays I actually practice an English accent for fun and it sounds so bad and I feel embarressed for even trying. LOL. Why, God, why can't I have a cool accent??!! 
• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
5:55 am
March 26, 2011
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Mya-Elise. said:
I like Claire-Louise’s idea about layering a French accent with a English one would be absolutely wonderful, It probably
would sound alot like real Anne would because all that time spent in France and still being English.
Somedays I actually practice an English accent for fun and it sounds so bad and I feel embarressed for even trying. LOL. Why, God, why can’t I have a cool accent??!!
Mya-Elise, you are from the US right? then, trust me! your accent is very cool
4:44 pm
July 9, 2009
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Just an update-I hired a famous vocal coach to create the accent for Anne, and damn it's hard! I am going to work now for days (or weeks if I have it) to perfect Anne's vocalizations, and am hiring a fellow actor to play Cromwell in a scene with me. I plan to take this thing as far as I can!
Ainsi sera, groigne qui groigne.
8:51 pm
May 16, 2011
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Claire-Louise said:
Mya-Elise. said:
I like Claire-Louise's idea about layering a French accent with a English one would be absolutely wonderful, It probably
would sound alot like real Anne would because all that time spent in France and still being English.
Somedays I actually practice an English accent for fun and it sounds so bad and I feel embarressed for even trying. LOL. Why, God, why can't I have a cool accent??!!
Mya-Elise, you are from the US right? then, trust me! your accent is very cool
LOL, well thanks but I really wish I would of been born with some kind of accent. My father's side is full German so I always ask why couldn't I have a slight German-ish accent? Then my mother's father is full Russian so, again, why couldn't I have a slight Russian-ish accent?! And then I spend hours trying to create a English accent and I can't help but laugh at myself because my attempts are very…very off. I mean, Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johanssen could talk like really English women but I can't. It's frusterating
• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
12:41 pm
February 24, 2010
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Mya-Elise. said:
And then I spend hours trying to create a English accent and I can’t help but laugh at myself because my attempts are very…very off. I mean, Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johanssen could talk like really English women but I can’t. It’s frusterating
You should hear my imitation of an Enlish accent. I end up sounding like Audrey Hepburn's character, Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady.” If you have never seen this movie, then another example would be, Ray Winstone. 
1:38 pm
April 11, 2011
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Sharon,
the thought of Ray Winstone singing The Rain in Spain just popped into my head now and will probably give me nightmares for some time.
8:48 pm
May 16, 2011
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LOL, well i'm glad i'm not the only one.
• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
12:00 pm
February 24, 2010
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Neil Kemp said:
Sharon,
the thought of Ray Winstone singing The Rain in Spain just popped into my head now and will probably give me nightmares for some time.
Neil,
LOL…Yes, that would give anyone nightmares. Sorry about that.
9:21 pm
May 16, 2011
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• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
10:23 am
December 5, 2009
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Sharon said:
Mya-Elise. said:
And then I spend hours trying to create a English accent and I can't help but laugh at myself because my attempts are very…very off. I mean, Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johanssen could talk like really English women but I can't. It's frusterating
You should hear my imitation of an Enlish accent. I end up sounding like Audrey Hepburn’s character, Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady.” If you have never seen this movie, then another example would be, Ray Winstone.
It's funny you should say that, Sharon. I'm English but whenever I try to take off a c*ckney accent I end up sounding like Dick Van Dyke, 'Cor blimey, Mary Poppins'. As for a Newcastle accent I either sound Welsh or Pakistani
12:03 am
November 18, 2010
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Louise said:
Sharon said:
Mya-Elise. said:
And then I spend hours trying to create a English accent and I can't help but laugh at myself because my attempts are very…very off. I mean, Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johanssen could talk like really English women but I can't. It's frusterating
You should hear my imitation of an Enlish accent. I end up sounding like Audrey Hepburn's character, Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady.” If you have never seen this movie, then another example would be, Ray Winstone.
It's funny you should say that, Sharon. I'm English but whenever I try to take off a c*ckney accent I end up sounding like Dick Van Dyke, 'Cor blimey, Mary Poppins'. As for a Newcastle accent I either sound Welsh or Pakistani
I at least have a reason for a Newkie accent. And Dahoffern being a Brummie has an excuse…But everytime I try do imitate my father's True c*ckney( firthy fousands feavvers on a frushes froat) accent I sound like an Australian visiting Susan's Bar and Grill with Mr Darlington
It's always bunnies.
9:40 pm
May 16, 2011
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LOL, well I just sound like a little 8 year old boy with a lisp in attempt to be English! -It's way off cause I ain't a boy, I am far from 8 years old, & I don't have a lisp. Waaay Waaay off.
• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
