The Trainee

CHAPTER 4 : "My room" (Benedict)

I sit on the edge of the stage with Jason until the pretenders to the role of Billy arrive. Today they will play two scenes with me, the beginning of "Expressing Yourself" and the prelude of "Dream Ballet". Jason sent them the script two weeks ago so they could repeated at home.

This is the fiale audition for the boys and a great part of the creative team of Billy Elliot are here and will be judging the performances. Some chaperones and house parents are there also as all the other kids are doing their schoolwork with their personal tutor at the boarding house.

It really remains me of my last audition, the fifth if I well remember, 6 months ago now. It have been one of the most scary day of my life. I had to play the boxing scene and instead of hitting for false, I've punch Andy Twain, the senior Billy now, right in the face. It was one of the worst moment in my life !

At 9 and a half all the boys, five in total, are sitting in the seats in front of the stage. Jason takes care to explain the conduct of the audition and then he asks me to introduce myself.

"Bonjour! I'm Benedict Hepburn and I play Michael. I'm from Wolverhampton and it's four months that I am in the company. I made my stage debut there five weeks ago."

I received a few nods from the boys and four of them leaves the room while the fifth join me on stage.

I stand in "my room" for the start of "Expressing Yourself". I hear Jason advising Phillip and then I sense that one pulls the scenery under my feet. It's the first time I help Jason for his audition process and it's really weird not seng one of the regular Billy in face of me .

I run four auditions then takes a break while Jason fetch the last candidate. I take an orange juice glass and then sit on the edge of the stage for drink it. Jason then returned with a boy and present me Duncan.He was a small blond-haired boy with grey eyes. He smiled at me and shake my hand. I return to the set and the audition begins. He quickly feel comfortable and I take great pleasure to act with him. At the end of our second scene, Jason brought back the other boys and tells them they will be aware of the result of their auditon in a week.

Once they are gone, Jake Baker, the company manager come to see me and ask who I think would be the best Billy int he boys I've played with this morning.

"Duncan" I answer, without any hesitation. "He is really reactive, he adapt fastly to any kind of situation and have great facial expression I think."

"Hum ... Okay ... Thanks Benedict. Join Abby in front of the VPT, she is waiting to take you back home.