Casting 11 actors to play characters described in detail below. Actors do not need to be the chronological age of the characters but need to be able to accurately portray the listed age range(s). Doubling of Miche/Marcel and Ratchett/Arbuttnot possible.

Character Breakdown:

Hercule Poirot (40s-60s) A famous Belgian detective; a “Big” personality; 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. Dialect required.

Monsieur Bouc (30s-60s): A Belgian man of good humor; playful, proud, generous; a predilection for grandeur; a whirlwind of energy; must be an excellent comedian. Friend of Poirot. Dialect required.

Mary Debenham (30s-40s): An English woman; a governess, capable yet romantic; a sadness around her eyes and a hardness about her person. Dialect required.

Hector MacQueen (30s-40s): Tightly wound, edgy, and nervous; he seems to always be on the verge of falling apart or coming unwound.

Michel the Conductor/Marcel (30s-60s): One actor will play two roles: Michel: a good lookingFrenchman, with a quiet, almost grave sense of humor; unfailingly polite; Marcel: a Turkish waiter, snooty, smooth; must have great comic timing. Dialects required.

Princess Dragomiroff (50s-70s): A Russian dowager; very formal, a sweeping, impressive presence; imperial, impatient. Dialect required.

Greta Ohlsson (20s-60s): Inherently odd, and very devout Swedish woman; a frightened, sheeplike quality; must be an excellent comedienne with an impeccable Swedish accent—dialect required.

Countess Andrenyi (30s-40s): Hungarian, brilliantly beautiful, like something out of a fairytale; impeccably put together, with a warmth that wins over everyone she meets; her delicacy belies a steely edge; she is no wilting flower; Dialect required.

Helen Hubbard (40s-60s): An outspoken and flamboyant American from the Midwest; jovial, obnoxious, domineering, deliciously nosy, and brash; unapologetic; must be an excellent comedienne.

Colonel Arbuthnot (40s-50s): Scotsman, also middle-aged, handsome, very matter-of-fact, occasionally tender; must have great comic timing. Dialect required.

Samuel Ratchett (40s-60s): A middle-aged American businessman, evil at heart and frightening, brusque, unforgiving, stern demeanor; pushy, domineering.

Audition Sides (audition scenes)  – 12 total

1. Poirot

2. Mary & Arbuthnot

3. Ratchett & Poirot

4. Hubbard & McQueen

5. Poirot, Bouc, & Marcell

6. Poirot, Bouc, & McQueen

7. Poirot, Michel

8. Poirot, Bouc, Countess

9. Bouc, Hubbard

10. Poirot, Princess, & Greta

11. Michel, Hubbard, & Ratchett

12. Poirot, Bouc, Arbuthnot, & Mary