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The Royal Players announce auditions for: Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express adapted for the Stage by Ken Ludwig
Audition dates and times: January 4th, 2026 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm January 5th, 2026 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Directed by: Tom Crone. Presented through special arrangement with: Concord Theatricals
Audition Location: First United Methodist Church - Benton (enter through door on Conway Street across from Benton Public Schools administration building)
Performances: February 12th, 2026 - February 15th, 2026 and February 19th, 2026 - February 22nd, 2026. Thursday - Saturday performances at 7:00pm. Sunday performances at 2:00pm.
Audition Requirements: No Prep - Cold reads. No appointment required.
Special Audition Requirements: Please bring your headshot and resume.
No conflicts allowed after February 6th, 2026. No performance conflicts will be accepted.
Show Synopsis: Eastern Europe, the winter of 1934. 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.
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.
In addition to principal roles we are casting extras for train station and restaurant patrons and dancing couples for the restaurant, etc. that will be used in different scenes throughout the show.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
First United Methodist Church - Benton, AR, 253 W Sevier St, Benton, AR 72015, United States
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