The 39 Steps - September 2019
Your Theatre, Inc. is holding auditions Sunday, June 11 at 1:00 P.M. and Monday, June 12 at 7:00 P.M. for all roles in the upcoming 2023-2024 Season production of Agatha Christie's "Murder On The Orient Express" adapted by Ken Ludwig. The performances will be held at the Steeple Playhouse when the building opens in September or October.
Director Lawrence R. Houbre Jr. is casting all roles. Auditions consist of cold readings from the script, and are held in the playhouse located in St. Martin's Church/Hall complex, 136 Rivet Street at Country Street, in New Bedford. Auditions are open to all actors over the age of 18.
Hercule Poirot: Male, 55-65; A famous Belgian detective; a "Big" personality; intelligent, 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; Belgian/French accent.
Monsieur Bouc: Male, 30-59; A Belgian man of good humor; playful, proud, generous; a predilection for grandeur; a whirlwind of energy; Formerly worked for the Belgian police force with Poirot; Belgian/French accent.
Mary Debenham: Female, 30-40; An English beauty; a governess, capable yet romantic, calm, cool and unruffled; a sadness around her eyes and a hardness about her person; English accent.
Hector MacQueen: Male, 30-40; Tightly wound, edgy and nervous; he seems to always be on the verge of falling apart or coming unwound; Ratchett's personal secretary.
Head Waiter: Male, 35-59; A Turkish waiter, snooty, smooth; must have great comic timing; Turkish accent; Could double as Michel.
Michel the Conductor: Male, 35-59; A good-looking Frenchman, a quiet, almost grave sense of humor; unfailingly polite; French accent; Could double as Head Waiter.
Princess Dragomiroff: Female, 60-79; A Russian dowager; very formal, a sweeping, impressive presence; imperial, impatient, generally despicable; Russian accent.
Greta Ohlsson: Female, 25-60; Plain, modest, inherently odd, and very devout Swedish woman; a frightened, sheep-like quality; impeccable Swedish accent.
Countess Andrenyi: Female, 25-39; Brilliantly beautiful, like something out of a fairy tale; impeccably put together, with a warmth that wins over everyone she meets; her delicacy belies a steely edge; she is no wilting flower; Hungarian accent.
Helen Hubbard: Female, 40-65; An outspoken and flamboyant American from the Midwest; jovial, obnoxious, domineering, deliciously nosy and brash; unapologetic.
Colonel Arbuthnot: Male, 35-59; Scotsman, middle-aged, handsome, very matter of fact, occasionally tender; hard-willed, polite and very "English"; Scottish/English accent; could double as Ratchett.
Ratchett: Male, 35-59; Middle-aged American businessman, evil at heart and frightening, brusque, unforgiving, stern demeanor; pushy, domineering; could double as Arbuthnot.
Crew/Extras: Non-speaking on-stage roles as scene extras, and crew for scene changes and prop management.
The story of the play: 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, 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.
Experience is not necessary, just the desire to participate and share the experience of live theatre and the enjoyment of collaborating with other talented individuals.
Your Theatre acknowledges, welcomes, and respects people of all races, ages, ethnicities, abilities, religions, gender identities, sexual orientations, and the invaluable gifts they bring to the theatre experience. All are welcome!
