Theatre 29 continues its 2021-22 season with an Agatha Christie murder mystery in January. Arts & Entertainment Reporter Charlie Thomas tells you how you can get on the train…
Theatre 29 will hold open auditions for a new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express on Monday, November 22nd at 6:00 p.m. on the Theatre 29 Main Stage (73637 Sullivan Road, Twentynine Palms). Multi-award-winning Director Kathryn Ferguson is looking for a cast of 5 men and 5 women over the age of 18, preferably.
From the mistress of the murder mystery, Agatha Christie comes a new adaptation by multi-award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig (Noises Off, Lend Me A Tenor). It’s 1934. Snow is falling. And the Orient Express is filled to capacity. What starts as a luxurious journey through Europe becomes the scene of a murder in the blink of an eye. Just after midnight, the famous train is stopped in its tracks by a snowdrift. When the isolated passengers discover a man stabbed to death in his room, they quickly become suspects as the one and only detective Hercule Poirot strives to identify the killer before the murderer strikes again. This clever and quick-witted adaptation will keep you asking, “Whodunit?”
All roles are open. A complete breakdown of the characters can be found on the Theatre 29 website at theatre29.org/auditions. If you are unable to attend the auditions on November 29th but would still like to be considered for the show, contact the director. COVID-19 VACCINATION IS REQUIRED. For more information, contact Director Kathryn Ferguson by e-mail at [email protected].
Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express will run weekends at Theatre 29 from January 14th through 30th with performances Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.
Open roles include
Detective Hercule Poirot
Gender – Male
Age Range – 40-65
Accent – Belgian
Iconic character (Short, balding, rotund with a quality moustache). Agatha Christie’s most famous detective. Poirot is fastidious, thorough, a touch ridiculous, and incredibly observant and intelligent. He is both arrogant and humble to fault. He is an observer of people, astute at analyzing why people behave as they do, and firmly believes that most crimes can be solved primarily by observation, psychology, and thinking them through. He values intelligence and the rule of law above all else.
Monsieur Bouc
Gender – Male
Age Range – 40-64
Accent – Belgian
The owner of Wagon Lit, Orient Express. Bouc is a middle-aged man with a youthful vigor and attitude. Gregarious, honest and forthright, he puts his friends and customers above profit, although he is concerned about his company’s image. He is not a match for Poirot in intelligence, however.
Mary Debenham
Gender – Female
Age Range – mid 20s-30s
Accent – English (standard)
A governess. Anxious, but also cool and determined, Mary has a certain sadness about her, as well as
many secrets. She is carrying on a secret affair with Colonel Arburthnot.
Colonel Arbuthnot (doubles as Samuel Ratchett)
Gender – Male
Age Range – 30s
Accent – Scottish accent
As Arbuthnot:
A military man of the old-fashioned type, possibly old-money, and used to being obeyed without question. He is strong, charismatic, but also problematic in some of his personal views. Has a temper.
As Samuel Rachett:
Accent – American (mobster – possibly Brooklyn or Chicago-style)
A dangerous and unlikable man, full of entitlement, with a hair trigger temper. Must have a forceful personality, and come across as someone not to be trusted or crossed. As the murder victim, this actor may be required to remain on stage and still for an extended period of time.
Hector McQueen
Gender – Male
Age Range – 23-35
Accent – American
Personal assistant and secretary to Samuel Ratchett, McQueen is a nervous character with a stutter that appears when he is especially anxious. Seems rather new to his profession. Talks a bit too much.
Michel (doubles as Head Waiter)
Gender – Male
Age Range – 30-50
Accent – French (Michel) & Turkish (Head Waiter)
Competent and organized, Michel is the conductor for the first-class carriages of the Orient Express. Handles himself well in a crisis, and is very good at his job. Note: This actor will double as the Head Waiter of the Tokatilian Hotel, and will also need to be able to do a Turkish accent.
Princess Dragomiroff
Gender – Female
Age Range – 60s-70s
Accent – Russian
Displaced Russian nobility. The Princess is a battleship: determined, arrogant, and accustomed to getting her way. She travels a great deal, and holds very decided opinions.
Greta Ohlsson
Gender – Female
Age Range – 30s
Accent – Swedish
A Catholic missionary and baby nurse, currently serving as a companion to Princess Dragomiroff. She would like to help small children in Africa. Deeply devout. This character may be funny, but should not be played as a caricature for laughs.
Countess Andrenyi
Gender – Female
Age Range – 25-35
Accent – Hungarian
In addition to being married to a count (and thus, nobility), she also is a doctor. Beautiful, educated, charming, and intelligent enough to match wits with Poirot. Must also be able to do an American accent.
Helen Hubbard
Gender – Female
Age Range – 45-60
Accent – American
Not exactly what she seems, Hubbard comes across as a gregarious, loud, obnoxious American busybody who has been married multiple times. Must be able to sing and do a little dancing. Should also be able to pull off a cooler, more calculated version of this character with a very standard or even cultured American accent.
