Dr. Knox delivers a rousing lecture on the rapid advancement of the 19th century while a montage reveals the grim reality of Burke and Hare's body-snatching business. As Knox praises the 'enlightened times,' the duo struggles to keep up with his demand for fresh corpses, unaware that the militia is beginning to investigate the rising number of missing persons. The scene juxtaposes high-minded scientific ambition with the gritty, criminal labor that fuels it.
KNOX: Gentlemen. We live, thank God, in enlightened times. The watchword of our age is PROGRESS. Progress in the arts... Progress in the sciences... Progress in technology... Progress in transportation...
PATTERSON: A little worse for wear, don’t you think?
HARE: Bloody hit and run driver.
BURKE: Probably drunk.
KNOX: Never before have ordinary people had so…
Format: Scene · Genre: Comedy-Drama · Source: Burke & Hare · Author: Piers Ashworth · Characters: Knox, Burke, Hare, Patterson, McLintoch
This montage scene, "The Price of Progress," offers a compelling blend of academic rhetoric and grim reality from the film Burke & Hare. It cleverly juxtaposes the lofty pronouncements of Doctor Knox with the increasingly desperate and dangerous actions of Burke and Hare, who are providing the bodies essential for Knox's "progress." The scene's dark comedic tone arises from this stark contrast, highlighting the unsavory underbelly of scientific advancement during what Knox praises as "enlightened times."
This scene features five distinct male characters: Knox, Burke, Hare, Patterson, and McLintoch. Knox is the authoritative, charismatic academic, outwardly confident and articulate, yet implicitly driven by an insatiable demand for discovery. Burke and Hare are the working-class criminals, initially opportunistic but growing increasingly harried and reckless under pressure, embodying the "Criminal" and "Everyman" archetypes. Patterson serves as a discerning assistant, perhaps questioning the ethics or quality of their grim deliveries. McLintoch, embodying the "Authority Figure," represents the looming threat of law and order, initiating the investigation into the mounting disappearances.
"The Price of Progress" is an excellent audition piece due to its multi-character format, offering actors the chance to showcase versatility within a short timeframe. The clear character archetypes allow for distinct choices, and the dynamic between characters, even in a montage, provides opportunities for reactionary acting and comedic timing. The scene's blend of dark comedy with underlying tension demonstrates an actor's ability to navigate complex tones, which is highly valued in casting.
This scene is ideally suited for male actors aged 35-45 looking to portray authority figures, character actors, criminals, doctors, or everyday men caught in extraordinary circumstances. It's particularly strong for auditions where an actor needs to demonstrate a range of comedic and dramatic abilities within a period setting. Its montage structure also makes it flexible for self-tapes, as an actor can easily focus on one or two specific character moments.
When approaching this scene, actors should pay close attention to the distinct motivations and stakes for each character, even in brief appearances. For Knox, focus on projecting absolute conviction and a slightly detached, academic zeal. Burke and Hare require a balance of their criminal enterprise with growing desperation and gallows humor. Patterson’s reactions should convey a quiet skepticism, while McLintoch needs to project a sense of gathering suspicion and authority. Emphasize the comedic timing that arises from the incongruity between Knox's rhetoric and the reality of the body snatchers' work.