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.
Audition Details
30 by Ninety Theatre presents Murder On The Orient Express
Adapted for the Stage by Ken Ludwig
Rehearsals will run from August 26 to October 12. Audition will be a cold reading from pre-selected sides.
Register for the audition here.
Questions can be directed to info@30byNinety.com with the subject line: Orient.
Role Details
Hercule Poirot (Male, 40 to 65) || Poirot is a world renown private detective from Belgium (French-ish accent will suffice). A “quaint dandified little man” with a prominent mustache, who reluctantly finds himself called upon to solve a murder. He is simultaneously arrogant and humble. 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 (Male, 40-65) || Also from Belgium, Bouc is a long time friend of Poirot, though he is no match for Poirot in intelligence. He is gregarious, honest, and forthright. Bouc is the director of the company that operates the Orient Express. Although he is concerned about his company’s image, he puts his friends and customers above profit.
Mary Debenham (Female, mid 20s-mid 30s)|| Standard English accent. 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 Arbuthnot.
Colonel Arbuthnot (Male, 30s) || A military man. Stern, matter of fact. Has a temper. He is in love with Mary Debenham.
Samuel Ratchet (Male, 35-50) || American mobster, posing as a business man, Ratchet has a brusque, unforgiving, and threatening demeanor. As the murder victim, this actor may be required to remain on stage and still for an extended period of time.
Helen Hubbard (Female, 50s) || American. She presents herself as a loud, crass, flamboyant busybody from Minnesota, but in reality she is a Broadway-style actor/singer/dancer (who does some singing in the play).
Hector McQueen (Male, 20s- 30s) || American. Personal assistant and secretary to Samuel Ratchett, McQueen is a nervous character with a stutter that appears when he is especially anxious. He seems rather new to his profession.
Princess Dragomiroff (Female, 60s-70s) || Russian accent. The Princess is a rich, elegant, woman of displaced Russian nobility. Determined, arrogant, and accustomed to getting her way. She travels a great deal and holds very decided opinions.
Greta Ohlsson (Female, 30s) || Swedish. Sheepish and frightened, she is a devout Catholic missionary and baby nurse, currently serving as a companion to Princess Dragomiroff.
Michel (Male, 40s) || French. The conductor of the first class carriages of the Orient Express. Michel is competent, organized, and is very good at his job. NOTE: This actor will double as the Head Waiter of the Tokatilian Hotel at the beginning of the play and will also need to be able to do a Turkish-ish accent.
Countess Eléna Ardrenyi (Female, 25-35) || Hungarian accent (but faking it because she is actually American). Described as “brilliantly beautiful, like from a fairytale.” She is married to a count, and is also a doctor. She is intelligent enough to match wits with Poirot.
