Gin and Tonic 2004 Auditions

In 2004 Hippofilms, a Los Angeles-based film production company, announced a worldwide casting call for the roles of the young members of Monty Python. Hippofilms said it was looking for six young actors with a talent for silliness to play the members of Monty Python's Flying Circus in a feature movie about their early days. The production company held open auditions for the roles in London, Los Angeles and New York. "Our goal isn't just to find six look-alikes," producer David Eric Brenner told Britain's Empire magazine, "but to discover six incredibly talented performers who embody that Pythonic brilliance and lunacy."

This was the official site for Gin and Tonic, a comic-drama based on the memoirs of the late Python Graham Chapman (Brian), as well as offering information about the open auditions for the theatrical film. FYI: The film never did get made.
Content is from the site's 2004 archived pages as well as other sources.

2004 Press Release

WORLDWIDE OPEN AUDITIONS BEING HELD TO PLAY YOUNG MONTY PYTHONS IN GRAHAM CHAPMAN BIOGRAPHY FILM

press release from Hippofilms
Friday, 6 February 2004

Los Angeles, CA (February 2, 2004) -- Hippofilms, a Los Angeles-based film production company, has announced a worldwide casting call for the roles of the young members of Monty Python, for the upcoming theatrical film, Gin and Tonic, a comic-drama based on the life and times of late Python Graham Chapman.

The first open audition is scheduled in Hollywood, California, on March 20th, 2004. It will be supervised by Hippofilms president, David Eric Brenner. Subsequent auditions, in New York, London and Tokyo will be announced in the near future.

Hippofilms will work closely with The Literary Executor of Graham Chapman estate, Jim Yoakum, to select six young actors to portray the world-famous comedians (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin).

Brenner stated, "We wanted to cast as wide a net as possible for the Pythons. Our goal isn't just to find six look-alikes, but to discover six incredibly talented performers who embody that Pythonic brilliance and lunacy."

The auditions will also be an opportunity for Python fans to display their unusual brand of fanaticism. Outside the audition hall, local actors and die-hard fans will perform original comic sketches for their peers on a community stage.

"We want these auditions to be fun, somewhat silly affairs that Graham would be proud of. That's why we're giving away prizes for the most absurd costumes," says Brenner.

Toy Vault, a U.S.-based toy company, will unveil their latest prototypes of Monty Python-related toys -- including a stuffed bunny with huge, pointy teeth -- at the Hollywood audition.

Those seeking further information about the auditions can visit the GIN AND TONIC movie website: www.ginandtonicmovie.com

An aside: Honestly, I think the whole audition thing was just to stir up PR and interest (many to get some backers) for the film, which you may already surmise never did get made. My best friend prepped like crazy for the auditions and like so many struggling actors felt that he had a chance of getting one of the leads. I tried to be supportive, that's what besties do, and thought he did get impersonations of all the Monty Python characters. But it was a good thing he kept his day job working for an e commerce site called CleanItSupplies that sold janitorial supplies. He was an expert on the paper products and their dispensers, commercial hand dryers, cleaning materials, mops and buckets and all the other janitorial products available to those hard working men and women who keep businesses and restaurants clean and tidy. One of the best perks was he could great discounted deals on a number of products that the company sold. I was first introduced to Kimberly Clark paper towels because of him. Jump ahead fifteen years: we are still good friends and although we now have families of our own, I still buy online from CleanItSupplies. And BTW he obviously didn't get a part in the film which was never made.

The address for the Hollywood audition is 5540 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California 90028. Reservations: 310-445-9157, ext. 4.

Hippofilm's last movie was the 2002 romantic comedy, Rent Control, written and directed by Brenner, and starring Melissa Joan Hart, Ryan Browning and Carmen Electra. Also in development at Hippofilms is the Olympic-themed motion picture, Pepper in the Blood, which Brenner is co-producing with Brian Dyson, former Vice-Chairman of The Coca-Cola Company.

Prior to founding Hippofilms in 2001, Brenner spent four years in the international distribution department of Alliance Atlantis Entertainment. He was also a playwright in New York City.

For more information or interview requests, please contact: Tex Wall, Director of Creative Affairs, Hippofilms, (310) 445-9157 or pubdept@ginandtonicmovie.com

Those seeking further information about the auditions can visit the GIN AND TONIC movie website:www.ginandtonicmovie.com.

According to the site, they're looking to cast the parts of : GRAHAM CHAPMAN JOHN CLEESE TERRY GILLIAM ERIC IDLE TERRY JONES MICHAEL PALIN

And shortly : KEITH MOON PETER COOK HARRY NILSSON RINGO STARR MARTY FELDMAN DOUGLAS ADAMS DAVID FROST

Fawlty Towers a gin and orange... clip

THE MONTY PYTHON AUDITIONS ARE COMING TO NEW YORK!

The search continues in New York City for six talented performers who will portray the young members of Monty Python (age range: 18-35) in GIN AND TONIC - a theatrical film bio of the late Graham Chapman, founding member of Monty Python.

GIN AND TONIC, set to begin shooting in London later this year, will recreate Chapman's early days studying medicine at Cambridge University; his years as a member of the Python team; his struggles with alcohol; his ground-breaking stance on homosexuality; and his outrageous exploits.

Come take part in the OPEN CASTING CALL in NYC! No formal experience is necessary. Just be funny (see the March 20th Hollywood Auditions) and brush up on your British accent. We're currently looking to fill the following roles:

AUDITION INFORMATION

Exclusive New York City auditions will be held on SATURDAY, JUNE 5th, 2004, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the following address:

Theatre Row Studios

410 West 42nd Street

(between 9th & 10th Avenues)

New York City, NY 10036

Information Hotline: 310-445-9157

"GIN AND TONIC" PARTY INFORMATION

Yes, you heard right. There will be a Gin and Tonic/Monty Python mixer directly following the auditions. The party will be held on Saturday, June 5th, from 7:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at The Telephone Bar & Grill, located at 149 Second Avenue (between 9th & 10th Streets), NYC, NY 10003.

Party Details: All Monty Python fans are welcome. Come and enjoy the drink specials (a free gin and tonic) and "Holy Grail Ale". Cool prizes will be given away for the most ridiculous, inspired costumes. The party will be attended by the Director and Producers of GIN AND TONIC, as well as celebrities and other industry professionals. If youwish to attend the Gin and Tonic/Monty Python party, YOU MUST RSVP to rsvp@ginandtonicmovie.com. We recommend that you arrive early (before 7:00 p.m. if possible). Once the party has reached its capacity of costumed loonies, you will have to wait in the "line of shame".

AUDITION RULES/OTHER INFORMATION

The final six 'Pythons' will be chosen by Hippofilms, a Los Angeles-based production company, in conjunction with the Graham Chapman Archives.
CREATIVE COSTUMES ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. Extra points (and an additional chance to be in the film in a secondary role or as an extra) will be given if your costume is extremely clever or absurd.
You are free to prepare your own audition piece. If not, a scene will be provided for you.
Remember, the roles being cast are for the "young" Pythons (age range: 18-35), so please be able to play within that age bracket.
If you have headshots, a resume, or agent contact information, please bring them with you. If not, we'll let you in anyway.
Auditions are first-come, first-serve. Arrive early if you want a good spot on line.
No acting experience is necessary. Just be funny and make us believe you're one of the Pythons.
Screen Actors Guild members: Please be advised that GIN AND TONIC will be a SAG signatory film.

MEDIA/PRESS

For questions pertaining to media/press (i.e. interview requests, media kits, etc.), please contact Sherman Toy - Director of Operations, Hippofilms, at 310-445-9157, ext. #4.

If you have any other questions or comments, feel free to CONTACT US.

Good luck and we'll see you at the audition!

We'll be looking to fill these other roles in the near future:

Some of the e-mails we have received so far.

Kajetan M. of Sopot, Poland, writes:

"I Would love to play one of the monthy pythons character,but i'm from God forgotten country like Poland,you know the one the that is in good contact with your so called president.At most i like john"the greatest"cleese,because he's funny guy:)just like me:)i thnik i would be great as young john cleese because i can play seriouis when it goes about silly things.......hehe.If i wasnt from this subburbs of the world i would say that:i'm the very meaning of our life!!thank for reading my email pleas dont my as i think and dont through away just as you got first read IT and then replay me if you would made casting in Poland or just come and see would i be good enough....i could bought freedom for my family because we're living like prisoners in our country."

Tom F. of Munich, Germany, writes:

"Hello!!
I'm a little insane 'somebody' from insane 'somewere'.. Hmm from Munich... And becouse of it I feel like a 'not able to eat some carrots bunny'.
I know that there is no chance to have a casting in Munich but this is great that I can write something. But still this is 'something' :)
Have a nice time all the time in our times and in the future time...
and.. and..
A lot of hugs from me and my girlfriend Anouk, and from touthfairy and my hamster George and ... my TV send a lot of hugs to.. and 'a hug for a frog from the hog in the fog'. :)
Make a lot of everything, don't forot about Germany that can't sing and the joy we can bring we are the lords of box without the ring.
The little insane 'someone' from 'somewere'
Bye bye"

GinAndTonicMovie.com