auditions for "a murder is announced"

---

Miss Marple - Female Lead, 60s-70s

A quiet, older lady who adopts an unassuming and deferential air around those in authority. However, she is not afraid to hang around and gently direct an investigation. A lovable busybody! She is fiercely intelligent, quick-witted, and highly observant. She will not be deterred from the truth, but reveal exactly what she knows in her own time. 

Letitia Blacklock - Female Lead  50s-70s

An attractive elegant lady who has looked after herself throughout the years. She makes her opinions known with a quiet, dignified air. She values her position in society and her privacy, so she initially conceals the fact that she is heir to the large fortune of her former employer. She appears to be mystified by the possibility that someone could really want to kill her, but she shows moments of fear for her own safety. However, she is also concealing her own secrets that she is terrified of becoming public.

Julia Simmons – Female Supporting 20s-early 30s

An attractive young woman, she works in the pharmacy of the local hospital and lives in the house of her aunt, Miss Blacklock, with her ‘brother’ Patrick. They argue like cat and dog in front of others, and constantly try to annoy each other as much as possible. However, they share private moments that go unobserved by others. Julia is somewhat spoiled and puts her own concerns before others. Like everyone else, she is concerned but also excited by the announcement of the murder in her aunt’s house. However, she is genuinely terrified by the arrival of a gun-wielding Rudi Sherz in the house. Julia grows increasingly unnerved by questioning as she is not who she appears to be.

Dora "Bunny" Bunner - Female Supporting, 50s-70s

A childhood friend of Miss Blacklock.They went to school together and Bunny now lives in Miss Blacklock’s large house. The years have not been as kind to Bunny, and she is frequently forgetful, dotty, and rather confused. She often says things or makes comments about the past that annoy Miss Blacklock. She is prone to becoming unduly flustered and befuddled, especially when she is gently reprimanded by her friend. However, her idle comments and chitchat give Miss Marple some ideas about the identity of the murderer. Bunny is poisoned and killed in Act Two. 

Patrick Simmons - Male Supporting, 20s-early 30s

Second cousin of Miss Blacklock and  ‘brother’ of Julia. They live in their aunt’s house, but argue like cat and dog in front of others. Patrick constantly tries to rile Julia as much as possible, taking on the role of the jokester and annoying big brother. However, they share private moments that go unobserved by others. Patrick is goodlooking, rich, and charming. He is a perpetual, professional student with no further career ambitions. He is excited by the announcement of a murder in Miss Blacklock’s house and enjoys speculating about what is going to happen. However, the subsequent murder of Rudi Scherz and the arrival of Inspector Craddock ruffles his feathers and makes Patrick nervous.

Mitzi - Female Supporting, 20s-30s

The cook and maid in Miss Blacklock’s house. She comes from mid-Europe, with an appropriate accent (e.g. Hungarian, Romanian etc). She has been displaced from her homeland due to warfare, but the exact fate or whereabouts of her family are uncertain as her story changes each time she tells it. Mitzi is a fiery and explosive character who is prone to comical outbursts. She hates anyone interfering in the kitchen or giving her advice, and plays the victim card regularly. Mitzi proves to be an excellent actress and a somewhat unpredictable assistant to Inspector Craddock and Miss Marple.

Phillipa Haymes - Female Supporting - 20s-40s

Miss Blacklock’s lodger. She comes across as elegant, classy, and sophisticated. She is a horticulturist and has taken a job restoring the gardens at a local hall. Phillipa has only been in the village for a few months, She has a son and presents herself as a young war widow. However, Miss Blacklock correctly deduces that Phillipa had a baby out of wedlock and is unmarried. Phillipa’s primary concern is for her son’s future. She will protect herself and her son at all costs, and there is a tension between her and Miss Blackwell’s other lodgers, Patrick and Julia, as they each know secrets about one another.

Mrs Swettenham – Female Supporting - 50s-70s

A neighbor of Mrs Blacklock, she lives with her adult son, Edmund. She is sophisticated and elegant, with a haughty air. She comes to Miss Blacklock’s house on the pretense of passing by, but she is clearly being nosy and wants to see if a murder really will take place. She is protective of her son and supports his attempts to become a writer.  is deeply concerned when she believes that Edmund has gotten himself in debt and in trouble with the law.

Edmund Swettenham - Male Supporting, 20s-30s

Mrs Sweetenham's son. He is a serious young man, who has pretensions of being a writer. However, he comes from a privileged, wealthy background so the drive is not as forceful as it might be for others. He is a burgeoning communist with opinionated and outspoken views. Edmund is frequently embarrassed by his mother and embraces the chance to defy her. He has a growing friendship/potential romance with Phillipa, one of Miss Blacklock’s lodgers.

Inspector Craddock - Male Supporting - 40s-60s

The chief inspector assigned to the muder case of Rudi Scherz. He is dedicated to his job and does not suffer fools gladly. The appearance and subsequent interference of Miss Marple initially irritates him. However, he is clever enough to accept his own limitations and becomes a reluctant partner of the amateur sleuth. Craddock accepts that only Miss Marple - with his assistance - can expose the murderer.

Rudi Scherz - Featured Male, Teens-30s

Swiss waiter who has been working in a hotel in England. However, Miss Blacklock recognizes him from her stay in Switzerland with her late sister. He is a strongly built man with a commanding voice. Rudi bursts into Miss Blacklock’s home with a gun, but it is him who ends up dead.

Sergeant Mellors - Featured Male, Any adult age

The sergeant assigned to the murder case, alongside his superior, Inspector Craddock. He is quiet, professional, and diligent.