deedlebug103
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Kate McGowanHi! I have an upcoming audition for "Titanic" and I'd like to go for the part of Kate McGowan--
Could someone give me information about her character? Could a soprano play the part?
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Salome
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She is an Irish Girl who is coming to America. she is pregnant and w/o a man.
She strikes up a freindship with Jim Farrell during the crossing which leads to a romance.
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Robinflamingo
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| Salome wrote: | She is an Irish Girl who is coming to America. she is pregnant and w/o a man.
She strikes up a freindship with Jim Farrell during the crossing which leads to a romance. |
She's pregnant? I've seen the show on Broadway, read the script, listened to the OBC a zillion times, and read about the REAL Kate McGowan (age 36 when she sailed - I'm a Titanic junkie, not just the musical) and I don't ever remember that she was pregnant. Just single, and wanting to marry Jim, once she met him.
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Salome
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in the musical McGowan is pregnant. she reveals it ot JIm on deck during the "Sailing/No Moon" sequence.
and you arel ike me..I'm also obsessed with thew historical Titanic . I actually printed out the inquest trnascripts from on line HAHA!
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Robinflamingo
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I just went thru that sequence, and couldn't find it. I did find one spot in Lady's Maid where Kate M says "better for the baby" but I always assumed that meant the baby she WANTED, not that she was pregnant.
Here's the piece from No Moon, I think:
Jim Farrell:
Are you cold then Katie?
Kate McGowan:
Not now that you've got your arm around
me...
Jim Farrell:
But I don't ...
(realizing he puts his arm around her)
Oh you're a funny one, Kate McGowan.
Kate McGowan:
Funny? T'anks very much
Jim Farrell:
Because you come right out with what you want.
Kate McGowan:
And you find that funny do you think?
What kind of girl do you think I am?
You think I need to be told what I want?
Life's too short for that, me boy-o
So anyway, I found a mention of "baby", so now at least I know where that came from. In reality, Kate McGowan was leading a party of young people to find their new lives - out of 15, only 3 made it.
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Salome
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Do you have the full script or just the libretto from the c.d.? there is more dialouge in that scene.
plust he full line is lady's maid is
"Better land for the baby...
That I
Hold"
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Robinflamingo
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Just the CD. I believe you, I just didn't ever hear it before.
The thing I don't get is why they made her pregnant. There was no need for it - she has enough motivation without it - and now it's going to bug me. LOL!!
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Salome
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It gives the character more depth..and it sperates her from the other 2 generic Kate's in the show. although not historically accurate it works wonderfully in context of the show.
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Robinflamingo
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Okay, I figured out why this is bothering me so much, and it's because of the time period. In 1912, a single, pregnant immigrant girl would NEVER have found work as a ladies' maid. Furthermore, even if it adds dimension to her character, she's the one Kate that I never confuse because of Jim!
Grrr. Anachronisms.
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Salome
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ah ha..but you see..she hasnt told anyone she is pregnant..and if she marries Jim its not an issue. see?
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Robinflamingo
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Of course I see...but married ladies' maids were not nearly as popular as single ones, because they had families and obligations and couldn't be devoted to their mistresses... It's just messy. Sigh.
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gurlofgod
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| Robinflamingo wrote: | | Of course I see...but married ladies' maids were not nearly as popular as single ones, because they had families and obligations and couldn't be devoted to their mistresses... It's just messy. Sigh. |
haha! I love this show and I love this role! I played this role a couple years ago, and I loved it! And I'm a soprano, so it's not out of range at all! Lol and who knows if she actually ever BECOMES a ladies maid...she just wanted to be one! But what I would say about this characters is that she's brassy, bold, and outgoing. I mean, she tells people she's going to marry Jim before they even meet! And she asks HIM to marry her! And you're right, there are more lines in the No Moon scene...basically that scene revolves around 4 or 5 different groups of people, and it goes back and forth with bits of dialogue from each group. But Kate and Jim are basically discussing their "future"...she's trying to tell him she's going to have a baby, and seeing if he's ok with it, as well as trying to get him to marry her....Gah. But it's so much fun and I love this show!!
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deedlebug103
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Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely try to bring out her bold, brassy qualities--but--
1. Does anyone have any tips on the irish accent?
2. Does anyone know which scene they will probably make the cold reading scene at the audition for Kate?
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gurlofgod
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Hmm. For the Irish accent, the only thing I can really say is perhaps to purchase a coaching tape...unless you know someone Irish and can just try to imitate the way they speak...lol it's a tad difficult to describe over the Internet... Basically you almost roll your R's, drop the G's off of ING words...other than that, I don't know what to tell you... 
When I cold read for the scene , I read the scene with Jim Farrell (during No Moon). It's actually a bunch of little "scene-lets" but I think it could all be read together. There's also a scene at the beginning introducing the three Kates that someone might use...if you can get a hold of the script, I'd suggest those two places....
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