Murder on the Orient Express

AUDITION DATES: December 5 and 6 @ 2:00 pm

AUDITION LOCATION: Biloxi Little Theatre

PRODUCTION DATES: March 5 - 7 and 12 - 14, 2027

DIRECTOR: Judy Madden

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. If those auditioning would like to attempt the characters’ accents, please do. They don’t have to be perfect at auditions. Rehearsals will begin in January.

THE SHOW:

SETTING: Aboard the Orient Express as it travels from Istanbul to Western Europe. 1934.

SYNOPSIS: Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again.

ROLES TO BE FILLED:

Hercule Poirot – Male – Belgian/French accent– Age 40-60
Famous Belgian detective; a “Big” personality; authoritative, witty, charismatic and slightly pompous; driven to find the answers, good or bad, with a strong moral sense; very aware of his ability and his well- deserved reputation.

Monsieur Bouc – Male – French accent – Age 30-60
A Belgian gentleman of good humor; playful, generous; a predilection for grandeur; a whirlwind of energy; must be an excellent comedian.

Colonel Arbuthnot / Samuel Ratchett – Male – Scottish/American accents – Age 30-40
One actor will play two roles. Colonel Arbuthnot: Scotsman, also middle aged, handsome, very matter-of-fact, occasionally tender; must have great comedic timing. Samuel Ratchett: middle-aged American businessman, evil at heart and frightening, brusque, unforgiving, stern demeanor; pushy, and domineering.

Helen Hubbard – Female – Minnesota accent – Age 40-70
An outspoken and flamboyant American from the Midwest; jovial, obnoxious, domineering, delightful, nosy and brash; unapologetic; must be an excellent comedienne. Also sings. Please familiarize yourself with the song “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.”

Countess Andrenyi – Female – Hungarian accent – Age 30-50
Brilliantly beautiful, like something out of a fairytale; impeccably put together, with a warmth that wins over everyone she meets; her delicacy belies a steel reserve—she is no wilting flower.

Princess Dragomiroff – Female – Russian accent – Age 40-70
A Russian dowager; very formal, a sweeping, impressive presence; imperial, impatient. Everyone knows when she enters the room. More battle-axe than princess.

Mary Debenham – Female – English accent – Age 20-30
An English beauty; a governess, capable yet quiet; a sadness around her eyes and a hardness about her person.

Hector MacQueen – Male – American – Age 20-50
Tightly wound, edgy and nervous; he seems to always be on the verge of falling apart or coming unwound. Assistant to Samuel Ratchett.

Michel the Conductor / Head Waiter – Male – French accent / Turkish accent – Age 20-50
One actor will play two roles. Michel: a good-natured Frenchman, with a quiet, almost grave sense of humor; unfailingly polite. Marcel: a Turkish waiter, snooty, smooth; must have great comic timing. (Accent is a plus but not a deal breaker.)

Greta Ohlsson – Female – Swedish accent – Age 20-60
Inherently odd, and very devout Swedish woman; frightened, sleeplike quality; must be an excellent comedienne with an impeccable Swedish accent.