King Lear Redux

The callback for King Lear turned out to be something of a tragedy. To begin with, Jeremy, the director was considerably late, so there was a back log of auditioners when I arrived. To be fair, Jeremy was delayed because he had to rush his daughter to the hospital, so I by no means fault him for being late. However, he had asked me specifically to read for the part of Gloucester, and had sent me scenes for that, but then somehow failed to have me actually read for Gloucester during the audition. Instead, I read for the Fool (even though he said he'd already decided to double the part with Cordeilia), Oswald, Cornwall, and Kent. He had mentioned Kent previously as well as Oswald, so I was prepared for that too. However, while waiting in the lobby I heard an actor tell another actor that he had been informed that it was "90 per cent certain that he would be playing Kent." He then talked about how he was renting a bus to drive everyone to the coast for a performance there, and would also be renting lodging that could accommodate 5 additional actors. Later, I read with him and he was appallingly bad, but I guess you have to cast the guy who is providing the bus. I gathered from other conversations in the hall that there are several "regulars" who always participate in the productions, as well as 10 members of the board of directors who are given preference when it comes to casting. Cronyism rears it's ugly head! I don't know if I read well or badly, but I gave it my best, and went away hoping that I wouldn't get another call. So far I haven't...