Nathan Lane’s worst audition

When I was in tech rehearsals for “Merlin” [in 1983], I was asked to meet the great filmmaker Milos Forman, who was directing the film of “Amadeus.” I went to his apartment to discuss the role of Schikaneder. Milos was exceedingly charming, and at the end of the meeting he asked if I wouldn't mind reading a scene with him. I was happy to oblige.

I did the first line, and when I finished, he said, “No, more like this.” Then he read the line. I did the next line, and then he said the same thing . . . this went on for the entire scene. Line by line. When we finally finished, I looked at him and said, “Well, I don't know about me, but I think you'd be great in the part.” He giggled, gave me a screen test — and Simon Callow was wonderful in the movie.

for other New York Post audition stories visit Stage frights

Gramilano( Editor )

Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano') about dance, opera, music and photography for people “who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like”. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy.

His scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the ‘Danza in Italia' column for Dancing Times magazine.