By Agatha Christie, adapted by Leslie Darbon
Directed by Sam Barrett

Synopsis

In the quiet, little village of Chipping Cleghorn, an announcement in the local newspaper causes a stir among the residents. There is to be a murder in the home of Miss Blacklock that evening!

As Miss Blacklock, her lodgers, and curious visitors begin to arrive, tensions mount and everyone wonders if it’s all a silly joke. However, the victim proves to be an unexpected visitor and not Miss Blacklock or one of the villagers at all.

With the arrival of Inspector Craddock, a murder investigation begins. Somewhat to his frustration, he is joined by amateur sleuth Miss Marple, who is always one step ahead. They reveal that Miss Blacklock is due to inherit a huge sum of money, but who would stand to gain from her murder?

In a classic Agatha Christie tale of concealed identities, desperation, mixed motives, and another death, it takes a risky strategy to uncover the true identity of the murderer.

Character List

• Miss Marple: Miss Marple is an overly inquisitive, grandmotherly, but shrewd amateur detective. (Age: 60–70)

• Miss Letitia Blacklock: Owner of Little Paddocks, Letitia is attractive and she has clearly looked after her figure and features. She has taken in Bunny as well as Julia, Patrick and Phillipa. She is reserved and opinionated. (Age: 50–60)

• Inspector Craddock: Craddock is the local police inspector. He is serious and business oriented. (Age: 40-50)

• Julia Simmons: Julia is staying with her Aunt Lettie. She is studying pharmacy. Beautiful but difficult. (Age: 35 ish)

• Patrick Simmons: Julia’s brother, Patrick is a very handsome young man. A jokester, fights with Julia. (Age: 35 ish)

• Dora Bunner: Dora is Lettie’s school chum who has become her companion. Befuddled and laughable. (Age: 50–60)

• Mitzi: Miss Blacklock’s cook, Mitzi is dark and Eastern European (e.g. Hungarian, Romanian, Yugoslavian) She is explosive, if not paranoid but is very funny. (Age: 30–40)

• Phillipa Haymes: Tall, rather elegant looking, blonde, and classy, Phillipa is a war widow with a young son. (Age: 35 ish)

• Edmund Swettenham: A serious young man with pretensions of being a writer, Edmund is dark and foreign looking, though very British. Embarrassed by his mother. He is interested in Phillipa. (Age: 35 ish)

• Mrs. Swettenham: Mrs. Swettenham is new to the village, she is very pushy but easily flustered. (Age: 50–60)

• Sergeant Mellors: Mellors is Craddock’s assistant. Sometimes not too bright but diligent. (Age: 25–30)

• Rudi Scherz: Rudi is a young Swiss national. (Age: 25–30)

Auditions

Audition information will be provided at a later date. 

Helpful note: We will have an audition form for you to fill out. If you have an acting resume, that will help save you from filling out as much information! 

Show dates include nine performances between
March 12 and March 28.

Learn more about Colonial Playhouse.

Ask us questions about the auditions: colonialplayhousetheater@yahoo.com.