Auditions

Auditions to be Held for TCP’S Production of “Murder on the Orient Express”

THE STORY: Eastern Europe, the winter of 1934.
Eight Passengers aboard the luxurious Orient Express awake one morning to discover that one of them has been brutally stabbed to death!!! As chance would have it, the world famous (vacationing) Belgian Detective Hercule Poirot is also on the train! Will he be able to solve this ghastly crime before the train reaches its final destination? Or will this case prove to be too challenging for this master detective to solve?

Ken Ludwig’s clever adaptation of the Agatha Christie classic boasts all the glamour, intrigue and suspense of Dame Agatha’s celebrated novel, with a healthy dose of humor to quicken the pace.

Directed by Criss Pearson

Auditions will be held on Monday and Tuesday, February 16 & 17 at 6:30 p.m., St. Basil Episcopal Church, 814 North Vinita Ave. in Tahlequah. The cast consists of 5 women and 5 men. Auditions will consist of group readings from the script. Tech, backstage helpers, set builders, costumers, make-up persons, etc. are all needed.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:

Detective Hercule Poirot: (Male, 50-65) (Belgian / French Accent)
Any Ethnicity.
Agatha Christie’s most famous detective.
Poirot is fastidious, thorough, incredibly perceptive and vigilant. Seemingly arrogant at times, he is truthfully humble and gentile.
A great observer of people, he firmly believes that most crimes can be solved primarily by observation and psychology. He values the letter of law above all else.

Monsieur Bouc: (Male, 40-70) (Belgian / French Accent) Any Ethnicity.
The owner of the Wagon Lit train station and the Orient Express. Bouc is a middle-aged man with youthful vigor and attitude. Gregarious, honest and forthright, he always puts friendship and servitude above profit. He and Poirot are old friends.

Mary Debenham: (Female, 25-40) (British – RP) Any Ethnicity.
A governess. Anxious, but also cool and determined. Mary has a certain sadness about her, seems overrun by many secrets. One of them is a secret affair she’s having with Colonel Arburthnot. Must be comfortable kissing on stage.

Colonel Arbuthnot: (Male, 30-50) (Scottish Accent) Any Ethnicity.
A military man of the old regime. Strong, charismatic, but also seemingly uncomfortable. He has a bit of a temper when confronted.
Also, secretly carrying on an affair with Mary Debenham. Must be comfortable kissing on stage.

Hector MacQueen: (Male, 25-35) Any Ethnicity.
An American personal assistant and secretary to Samuel Ratchett. MacQueen is a nervous character that rambles and stutters especially when he grows anxious. He is rather new to his profession.

Michel: (Male, 45-60) (French Accent) Any Ethnicity.
Competent and organized, Michel is the senior 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.

Princess Dragomiroff: (Female, 60-80) (Russian Accent) Any Ethnicity.
A Princess of displaced Russian nobility. Even though seemingly frail, she is determined, strong of character, and accustomed
to getting her way.

Greta Olsen: (Female, 30-50) (Swedish accent) Any Ethnicity.
A deeply devout Catholic missionary and baby nurse, she is currently serving as a companion to Princess Dragomiroff. Her ambition is to someday help small children inAfrica. This character may be funny at times, but should not be played for laughs.

Countess Andrenyi: (Female, 25-40) (Hungarian and American accents.) Any Ethnicity.
An exquisite woman of Nobility. Highly educated and charming, she matches wits and blithely flirts with Poirot throughout the play.

Helen Hubbard: (Female, 45-60) ( Midwest USA) Any Ethnicity.
A gregarious American busybody. Rich and widowed several times over, she is not entirely who she seems to be. Must be able to sing and dance well.

Samuel Ratchett: (Male, 45-65) Any Ethnicity.
Make no mistake, he is an American mobster…but not a caricature. Dangerous and unlikable. Full of entitlement. This is a savage who knows how to properly wear a three piece suit. After the murder is committed, this actor will be required to remain on stage and be still for an extended period of time.

Rehearsals will be on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Performance dates are April 10-12 and 17-19, 2026. The performance venue is to be at the First Presbyterian Church. For more information contact the director at .   TCP meets the last Tuesday of the month, 6 p.m. at St. Basil Episcopal church, 814 North Vinita Ave.  TCP is a member of OCTA and AACT.