Your Resources - A Midsummer's Night Dream
FFA Nathan for Nick Bottom
Nick Bottom... to put it simply, is an ass. He's a conceited and arrogant moron who demands attention constantly. He's full of himself and doesn't even realize when Puck pranks him in the woods. He often missuses words (in the audition scripts, these words have been marked with *), so if he says something that doesn't make sense, that's the point-
He's a peasant weaver and is very casual and crass
Accents aren't necessary, but feel free to have fun with the peasants!
He's loud, confident, and tactless
1-3 takes per line, however many you're comfortable with
He's written as a man, but we'll take any gender!
Oh, I'll have to cry in order to make it believable. And as soon as I start crying- the audience had better watch out, because if they're not careful, they'll all cry too! I'll make their tears pour out of them like rainstorms. Or waterfalls! I'll cry so believably!
Well? Go on already, name the other actors-Nah. Let's just announce his name, let his face show through the costume, and have him say something for himself. Something to the same deflect* of 'ladies,' or 'lovely ladies, I would like to ask you,' or 'I would like to request you,' or 'I beg of you, do not worry,' or 'do not be afraid and do not tremble with fear.' ya know? 'I value your lives as highly as my own. If you thought that I was a real lion, I would be risking my life. But no, I am not a lion at all, I am human, just like you." And then he can say his name and tell them plainly that he's Smug, the carpenter
[Bottom is playing the role of Pyramus, quite poorly might I add]
Oh beautiful yet cruel Mother Nature-! Why didst thou create the lion? A most vile lion has deflowered* mine dearly beloved darling who was the most beautiful woman that ever lived, or loved, or liked, or looked. Come now tears! Pour out! Pour out like the sword I now draw from its sheath to wound my own chest! Right here on the left side, where mine heart doth beat-eth. Thus I die! Thus, thus- Thus now I am dead! And so I am dying. Here I go, here I go! Okay. Now, I am dead. Mine soul has fled-eth to the sky. My tongue shall see no more. The moon shallst leave me alone- Take thy flight moon! Now die, die, die-
This is so entertaining!! I adore the direction you took with him and I really think it works~! I'll have you know I was laughing the entire time. This is really well done~