AUDITION NOTICE:
BLACK COFFEE
Written by Agatha Christie
Directed by Laura Byrne-Cristiano
WHEN: Sun. Oct. 13, at 6:00 PM; Mon. Oct. 14, at 7:30 PM
WHERE: STUDIO PLAYERS, 14 Alvin Place, Upper Montclair, NJ ~ 973.744.9752
www.studioplayhouse.org ~ www.facebook.com/studioplayhouse
This little-known mystery will surprise and delight Christie fans when a physicist named Sir Claude Amory, who has come up with a formula for an atom bomb is poisoned (in his coffee, naturally), and Hercule Poirot is called in to solve the case. Not before many wonderful twists and turns in true Christie tradition.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
All characters (except those noted below) Speak with an educated British accent. Think Downton Abbey, Upstairs Downstairs, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith and Emma Thompson for examples. Dr. Carelli-speaks with an Italian accent that does not have to be that authentic. Inspector Japp is decidedly working class. His accent is more rough, less polished. Think the servants of Downton Abbey or the Northerners of Game of Thrones. Think more Michael Caine, Bob Hoskins, Catherine Tate and Sean Bean for examples.
- Miss Treadwell (female, late 20’s-60’s) She is the faithful servant, but at the same time knows all “the dirty laundry” of her employers.
- Sir Claude Amory: (male, 50’s+) He is the irascible Lord of the manor, who has no affection for his relatives and is devoted solely to his scientific discoveries.
- Caroline Amory: (female, 50’s+) Claude’s dotty younger, maiden sister who never stops talking. She is very conservative, innocent, and prone to not quite getting the full picture of what goes on around her. She has no idea that half of what she says is funny and often inappropriate.
- Richard Amory: (male, early 30’s-mid 40’s) He is the only son of Claude Amory. He’d rather pursue a military career then be under his father’s thumb. He’s not stupid, but he’s not the scientific genius that his father is. Newly married, he is very much in love with his wife Lucia who he married after a brief whirlwind courtship.
- Lucia Amory: (female, mid 20’s-mid 30’s) She is Richard’s half-English and half-Italian wife who was largely raised throughout the European continent. She speaks perfect English with an English accent. She is devoted to her husband, but has a mysterious past and is obviously hiding something.
- Barbara Amory: (female, mid 20’s to mid 30’s) She is Claude’s niece and relies upon him for support as she is orphaned. She is a very modern young woman who speaks her mind, and who likes to live a bit on the wild side. She wants a husband to take her away from her dreary life.
- Edwina Raynor: (female, 30’s -40’s) Sir Claude’s faithful secretary. Who is observant and intelligent, and somewhat reserved. One of the few people who actually understands his scientific discoveries and is capable of organizing his notes.
- Dr. Carelli: (male, 30’s-60’s) A mysterious visitor who claims to be an old friend of Lucia’s family. Equally charming and suspicious. Speaks with an Italian accent (not necessarily a good one). The character can be played as a real Italian or someone pretending to be a real Italian).
- Dr. Graham: (male, 30’s+) Sir Claude’s doctor, and intelligent man who is not fooled by flattery or easily influenced. Very logical and capable of presenting the facts as he sees them.
- Hercule Poirot: (male, 40’s+) A famous detective from Belgium (slight accent) hired by Sir Claude to investigate a theft and death threats. He later ends up investigating Sir Claude’s murder. He has a great sense of dry humor and a sense of the ironic. Oftentimes only Hastings gets his jokes.
- Captain Hastings: (male, 30’s+) He is Poirot’s right-hand-man. Not quite as astute as Poirot, but by no means stupid. He often acts as Poirot’s sounding board, and evaluates theories and offers conjecture. He has a great sense of humor and is generally good-natured.
- Inspector Japp: (male, 30’s+) In charge of the local police. He and Poirot have worked a previous case. He respects Poirot and Hastings very much. He’s not what you would call a polished man, a bit rough around the edges prone to saying what he thinks too loudly rather than being diplomatic. Nonetheless, he is respected as an officer of the law by both Poirot and Hastings.
Sides will be provided.
Performance dates: January 10 – 25, 2014
