Princess Ida Characters and Audition Material
Who are these characters? That’s always a difficult question to answer. Mister Gilbert has given
us some clues in his words and plot and Sir Arthur has set most of them to music which does
give us a vocal type or range for most characters as well as the rudimentary elements of their
relationships to the rest of the cast and their roles in the unfolding drama. However, I am always
keen to see what a performer might bring to a role and if you wish to show me a take on a
character in the audition room that is contrary to what I write below then I would be delighted
to see it. These sketches are intended as a guide, a help or an indication of my current thinking
but never as a bar to creativity. There are a number of ways to play each of the characters in Ida
so if you disagree with any of these interpretations or if you feel that this take on a role does not
suit you but you would be perfect if it were played another way… bring it on and delight us!
One other detail: everyone performing in Princess Ida will be playing contemporary College
students (attending the Adamant College of Higher Education) who are playing the roles in a
production of Princess Ida that acts as a Founder’s Day celebration of the earliest days of their
institution. Confused yet? What this means at this stage, is that elements of casting can be
flexible – just because a character is 21 years old does not mean that our actor must be, because
the College must cast from within its own membership and may not have someone of exactly the
correct age, for example.
Princess Ida
The daughter of King Gama, sister to Arac, Guron and Scynthius and betrothed to Prince
Hilarion whom she has not clapped eyes on for the last twenty of her twenty-one years. Ida is the
founder and leader of the Ladies College in Castle Adamant and is… shall we say committed to
her cause. A fervent orator and militant campaigner she has no time for men and even less for
dalliances with them. She sees herself in the charismatic mould of Joan of Arc or Ms. Pankhurst
but tends to lecture rather than persuade. A high Soprano role with some demanding singing but
a wonderful character to play.
Audition song - O Goddess Wise
Audition scene – Speech immediately following the Audition song
Lady Blanche (Professor of Abstract Science)
To all outward appearances, the perfect example of the absent minded professor and the second
in command to Princess Ida. Lost in her ivory tower of abstract thought and philosophy, she
baffles most who hear her speak but is there more to her utterances than first appears? Her boss
is much younger than she is. Might the castle not be better served under the rule of wisdom and
experience? Alto in vocal range.
Audition song - Come mighty must!
Audition scene – Dialogue with Ida before And thus to empyrean height
Lady Psyche (Professor of Humanities)
A difficult character to pin down. She enjoys a senior position at the college but must be young
enough that Hilarion and his crowd knew her as a child. She is well versed in her field, possessed
of sharp wits and a lively sense of humour, however, she is also Florian’s sister and is remarkably
easily persuaded to try to help them hide in the castle. She could be played as anything from Miss
Jean Brodie to Dorothy Parker – a rangy Soprano part to sink your teeth into!
Audition song - A lady fair
Audition scene – Dialog into A lady fair
Melissa
As the daughter of Lady Blanche, Melissa is young in action and attitude even if not in years. She
is not, by nature, adventurous, militant or keen to put herself forward although she can be
manipulative on occasion. She blossoms as events unfurl and by the end is determined to fly the
nest and leave her Mother and academia behind.
Audition song - Death to the Invader!
Audition scene – Dialog between A lady fair and The woman of the wisest wit
Sacharissa
Although this student is expelled in her first scene, I wouldn’t worry about that – Gilbert
certainly forgets it quickly enough! We hope she is studying medicine as she is in charge of
tending to any wounded created by the invading army. An inquisitive if naïve mind and not
afraid to speak her mind
Audition scene - Dialogue with Princess after ‘Death to the Invader’
Chloe
Three short but varied scenes for this student at the castle but no solo singing required. Punished
for doodling a perambulator and yet trusted enough to lead the Rifles during the castle’s siege.
Audition scene - Dialogue with Princess after ‘Death to the Invader’
Ada
An undergraduate at Castle Adamant and the perfect part for anyone who doesn’t like to learn
lines as she has but one and no solo singing! She becomes the bandmistress in the defence of the
castle.
Audition scene - Dialogue with Princess after ‘Death to the Invader’
King Hildebrand
A leader of great authority and fortitude, Hildebrand knows what he wants and is used to getting
it. He is the father of Hilarion and will brook no hitch in his plans for the boy. A powerful Bass
voice and stage presence would be ideal and the ability to be a straight man or comic foil to some
of the more ridiculous characters would be an advantage.
Audition song - Some years ago (Act 2 Finale)
Audition scene - Dialog before Now hearken to my strict command
Hilarion
Hilarion is the son of King Hildebrand and, twenty years ago, at the age of two was betrothed to
Ida. As a Prince he is not possessed of any great intellect or personal qualities but does have a
beautiful lyric Tenor voice. He has drifted amiably through life thus far and would like to enter
marriage in a similar manner. Almost a Bertie Wooster figure of privileged inconsequence, he is
unperturbed by donning drag and his appearance and behaviour seem unchanged and
appropriate in either garb.
Audition song - Ida was a twelve-month old
Audition scene – Dialog after Ida was a twelve-month old
Cyril
Much larger than most of the Second Tenor Lead roles in G&S, Cyril is Hilarion’s good friend
and fountain of terrible ideas. A cheerful and bluff young man, he is blessed with a sunny
optimism, boundless appetites and absolutely no ability to think of the consequences of his
actions. A creature of impulse and charm – or a Labrador puppy in human form – Cyril is, by
far, the least convincing of the three as a female impersonator.
Audition song - Would you know the kind of maid?
Audition scene – Dialog into Would you know the kind of maid
Florian
Hilarion’s other friend. As a Baritone, Florian is obviously more responsible and level-headed
than Cyril but he possesses a whimsical sense of humour and is just as willing as his friends to
hare off on an adventure. Takes to dressing as a woman like he was born to it and may not be
changing back after the finale.
Audition song - I am a maiden (verse 3 and chorus)
Audition scene - Dialog before Now hearken to my strict command
King Gama
The Patter role. A man described by all as twisted of body and mind. He freely admits to being a
misanthrope of almost unparalled degree. Often described as Gilbert’s self-portrait, Gama takes
gleeful delight in pointing out the foibles, hypocrisy, weaknesses, idiocy or mendacity of the
world around him – ideally to their faces. He could be the one sane man in this world of fools or
could it just be that when you’re a king no-one dares to tell you that you are acting like a
toddler…
Audition song - If you give me your attention
Audition scene – Dialog after If you give me your attention
Arac
The leader of the three sons of Gama and brother to Ida. All three are simple men of action –
very, very simple. To call them dumber than a bag of rocks might insult the rocks but they mean
well and are devoted to their sister. A Bass of the bassiest order, Arac leads their trio and sings
the top line.
Audition song - We are warriors three
Audition scene – His line! Before This helmet I suppose
Guron
One of the three sons of Gama and brother to Ida with exactly the same character as the others.
A Bass of granite proportions, Guron sings the middle line of the trio but does not speak.
Audition song - We are warriors three
Audition scene – n/a
Scynthius
The third son of Gama, hewn from the same mould as his brothers. A Bass of profound lack of
profundity, Scynthius drops to the bottom of the trios and speaks not a word.
Audition song - We are warriors three
Audition scene – n/a