Auditions: Agatha Christie's A Murder Is Announced

A Murder Is Announced
at Howick Little Theatre, Sir Lloyd Drive,
Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga

by Leslie Darbon, adapted from Agatha Christie's story
Directed by Matthew Cousins

One morning at the home of Letitia Blacklock, the family are surprised to find a murder has been announced in the local paper, to take place at their house that evening. But who is to be murdered, and why? The family and their nosy neighbours get caught up in the ensuing drama, where no one is who they seem and suspicion abounds. Fortunately the enigmatic sleuth Miss Jane Marple just happens to be in the area… Christie’s popular play is fast moving and funny, with twists you won’t see coming.

General Info:
For a script, email HLT info@hlt.org.nz or call 534-1401.

Auditions:
To make an appointment, please email the director, cuzbuz@icloud.com.

Rehearsals will be on Tues and Thurs at 7pm & Sundays at 6pm. Rehearsals start 30 April.
Season: 8-29 July 2023 (15 performances, including two matinees)

Gaining and accepting a role in this production will require total commitment to the process, line learning and availability. Please ensure you can fulfil these requirements before taking a role. Please note these are unpaid roles.

Character Info:
A great opportunity for seven women, two in their twenties and the others… not in their twenties. Two young men and the Inspector and his Sergeant round out the cast. Ages are indicative: if you feel you may be suitable, please audition. Accents are English (unless otherwise stated), and dialect support can be provided.

The Ladies:
Miss Jane Marple - 60s+. Don’t get too caught up in previous versions of her; bring your ideas and try out. The role is obviously super important but doesn’t have a massive number of lines to learn.

Letitia Blacklock - Mature lady of the house in question. Large main role. Needs experienced actor with good timing and range.

Julia Simmons - Sweet, unmarried in her 20s. Julia is a good role and has plenty to do. Good dry comic timing will help.

Dora Bunner (Bunny) - Older lady and long-time friend of Letitia. A bit dotty and confused. A fun role that needs energy and timing.

Mitzi - Mitzi is the explosive and melodramatic scene stealer of the play. Strong Eastern European accent with high energy and timing. A really funny key character, she plays an important role in unmasking the killer. She speaks some lines in Hungarian which I recommend you practice in advance of the audition. She strongly changes the pace and energy of any scene she walks into so you’d be hard pressed to over-do her character.

Phillipa Haymes - Elegant classy young lady, 20s-30s. A sophisticated widow with a small son. Smaller role with plenty to do.

Mrs Swettenham - A grande Dame of the village. 60s plus. Smaller role but fun and with plenty to do. Mother of Edmund.

The Men:
Patrick Simmons - Julia’s brother and a little older than her. 20s-30s. Good looking and smooth.

Edmund Swettenham - Privileged and earnest. Wants to be a writer. 20s-30s.

Inspector Craddock - Middle aged chief inspector. Cool and rational. Experienced.

Sergeant Mellors - A small role of any age. May double as Rudi in Act 1.

Rudi Scherz - Commanding voice, Swiss/German or Swiss/Italian accent. This is a cameo role. May double as Sgt Mellors.

Director: Matthew Cousins
Matthew has been involved in community theatre for over 40 years both in the UK and in NZ. He has acted in a huge variety of productions over the years, at Howick Little Theatre, Dolphin Theatre, The Rose Centre and Harlequin Theatre, among others. He turned his hand to directing in the past decade, most recently directing another Agatha Christie play, Spider’s Web, at Dolphin in 2021.
Matthew always sets out to create a fun, collaborative environment for his actors so feel free to bring your ideas! He loves the classics and is looking forward to working with a great cast on this wonderful Agatha Christie thriller.
Email him if you have any questions.