"Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express" Seeking Teens
Casting call for boys and girls ages 16+ for "Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express." Please review the details below. ONLY LOCAL TALENT WILL BE ACCEPTED. About the project: Famous detective Hercule Poirot is called back from Istanbul to London on urgent business. He intends to book a first-class compartment on the Orient Express, run by his former friend and colleague, Monsieur Bouc. The train is surprisingly full, but Bouc manages to secure Poirot a spot in the first-class cabin. While aboard the Orient Express, Poirot meets a host of peculiar characters: an aging Russian princess, her Swedish companion, a Hungarian countess, a Minnesota housewife, a Scottish colonel, an English governess, a French conductor, a disagreeable American businessman, and his anxious secretary. While aboard the train, the angry businessman, Samuel Ratchett, corners Poirot and demands Poirot to investigate a series of ominous letters that have been sent to Ratchett, threatening his life. As a snowdrift halts the Orient Express in its tracks, Ratchett is found stabbed multiple times in his locked train compartment. Poirot is tasked by Monsieur Bouc to solve the murder, as the killer could still be in their midst. As Poirot investigates, conflicting clues and convoluted alibis lead him to dead ends. Over the course of 48 hours, will Poirot be able to solve the case of the Murder on the Orient Express? Additional info: No conflicts will be accepted during show dates or the week before opening. In-person callbacks (by invitation only): Sunday, August 18 at 6:00 pm Please bring your headshot and resume to the in-person audition. Rehearsals begin on Tuesday, August 27 at 6:30 pm. Along with submission, please indicate any conflicts you may have throughout the rehearsal schedule, which is Monday – Thursday from 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm and possible Saturday rehearsals from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Show Dates: October 4 – 20, 2024 NO CONFLICTS ALLOWED: September 28 – October 3 (tech week) and show dates. SHOW DATES: Friday, October 4, 7:30 pm Saturday, October 5, 7:30 pm Sunday, October 6, 3:00 pm Friday, October 11, 7:30 pm Saturday, October 12, 7:30 pm Sunday, October 13, 3:00 pm Friday, October 18, 7:30 pm Saturday, October 19, 7:30 pm Sunday, October 20, 3:00 pm If you are interested please apply.
10 roles
Belgian accent – 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 a 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.
Belgian accent – 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.
Standard English accent – 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. May need to kiss onstage.
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.
French accent (Michel) & Turkish accent (Head Waiter) – Competent and organized. Michel is the conductor for the first-class carriages of the Orient Express. Handles himself well in crisis, and is very good at his job.
Russian accent – Displace 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.
Swedish accent – A Catholic missionay and baby nurse, currently seving 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.
Hungarian accent – 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.
American accent – 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.
Scottish accent – 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. May need to kiss onstage.
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