Lady Macbeth casting decided by penalty shootout after auditions end in draw

THE Fabricated Players have selected their Lady Macbeth through a penalty shootout after two actors received identical scores during an increasingly competitive audition process.

The society introduced penalties after both Helen and Caroline finished auditions with 87 points each across acting ability, vocal technique, characterisation, movement and “general Lady Macbethness”.

Director Simon said: “We considered asking them to perform the speeches again.

“But at some point you need a result.”

A goal was assembled in the rehearsal room using two chairs and a broom handle, with each candidate given five penalties.

The production’s musical director went in goal despite Macbeth not being a musical.

Simon said: “We needed somebody neutral.

“Martin dislikes both of them equally.”

Helen scored her opening penalty confidently into the bottom-left corner.

Caroline responded by sending Martin the wrong way.

Both then scored their next three.

Simon said: “The standard was exceptional.

“You could see why we’d struggled to separate them dramatically.”

Helen had the opportunity to win the role with the fifth penalty but struck the upright.

Caroline then stepped forward knowing that a successful kick would secure one of Shakespeare’s greatest female roles.

She blasted it over the piano.

The audition therefore went to sudden death.

By this point, approximately 40 society members had gathered to watch, with several chanting “CAR-O-LINE! CAR-O-LINE!” while Helen’s husband stood behind the goal attempting to put her off.

The committee briefly considered stopping proceedings after somebody threw a programme onto the pitch.

Simon insisted the casting process had to remain fair.

After nine further penalties, both actors were still level.

They were therefore required to take penalties with their weaker foot.

Helen scored.

Caroline’s effort was saved.

Helen immediately collapsed to her knees before being mobbed by members of the ensemble.

She said: “I’ve wanted to play Lady Macbeth since I was 16.

“To finally get the opportunity after all these years is incredibly emotional.

“I just tried to pick a corner and not change my mind.”

Caroline was described as “devastated but gracious” after refusing to shake Helen’s hand and kicking a stack of rehearsal chairs on her way out.

She has formally appealed the result, claiming Martin moved off his line before the ball was struck.

The committee is reviewing mobile-phone footage.

Simon insists the new casting method has been a success and may be used again.

He said: “Auditions can be incredibly subjective.

“This removes all of that.

“You put the ball in the net, you get the part.”

The society is now urgently seeking somebody to play Macbeth.

Trials are on Thursday.

Applicants should prepare one Shakespearean monologue and bring shin pads.