Different Stages Theatre

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
By Agatha Christie
Adapted by Mark Shanahan

 

Date/Time:

Monday July 28, 7-9:50 PM

Tuesday July 29, 7-9:50 PM

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Location:

Violet Crown City Church

1300 Morrow St

Austin, TX 78757

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Plot Description:

When Mrs. Ferrars is discovered dead from an apparent suicide, the tiny village of King’s Abbott is rocked by scandal. Her fiancé, Roger Ackroyd, the wealthiest man in town, suspects foul play.  But within hours, Ackroyd, too, is found dead - a victim of murder.

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CASTING THE FOLLOWING ROLES:

5 Women Ages 18-65

7 Men Ages 18-65

Director: Norman Blumensaadt

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Production Dates:
November 14 – December 6, 2025

NO PERFORMANCE ON THANKSGIVING DAY

The Vortex, on Manor Rd

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Rehearsal Times and Dates:

Mon-Thu 7-10 PM

Either Sat OR Sun 1-4 PM

October 8 - November 16, 2025

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PICTURE AND RESUME SUBMISSIONS EMAIL:

differentstagescompany@yahoo.com

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FOR INFORMATION:

differentstagescompany@yahoo.com

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POC and all ethniticies encouraged to audition. We are actively seeking a diverse cast!

 

ACTORS ARE STRONGLY URGED TO READ THE SCRIPT BEFORE THE AUDITIONS.

 

PLEASE EMAIL TO REQUEST A DIGITAL COPY OF THE SCRIPT.

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ACTOR STIPEND

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CHARACTERS:

• Dr. James Sheppard – Our Narrator.The local doctor for King’s Abbott. Affable, smart, and a good storyteller. A self-described “old fogey”.

• Caroline Sheppard - The nosy older sister of James. She prizes gossip above all else and uses it to her advantage whether it is correct or not.

• Hercule Poirot – The Belgian detective in retirement.

• Ralph Paton – Young and handsome. Ralph is Ackroyd’s foster son. Wild, with a restless past. Ralph is a bit of a loner and hates his status as the ne’er-do-well foster child of a wealthy man.

• Helen Russell – Roger Ackroyd’s personal secretary. A stern and tight-lipped woman. She controls Ackroyd’s personal and business affairs with a steady hand, while keeping secrets of her own.

• Roger Ackroyd – The wealthy businessman and lord of Fernly Hall. Ackroyd is an emotional man and the center of much attention in the town of King’s Abbot.

• Flora Ackroyd – Roger Ackroyd’s niece. Young, beautiful and willful. Though she has lived a life of privilege, she and her mother have fallen on hard times. She appears to have a warm and generous nature, although can turn suddenly cold when confronted.

• Major Hector Blunt – A big game hunter and friend of Roger Ackroyd who has come to stay at Fernly. A man who has lived all over the world, he believes he understands human nature better than anyone at Fernly.

• Ursula Bourne – A young maid at Fernly. She possesses a strong backbone. Though often outspoken, she keeps to herself and knows more about the comings and goings at Fernly.

• Parker – The butler at Fernly Hall. He is proper and seemingly meek at first glance. The job is everything to him, or so it seems. He often appears underfoot when you least expect him.​

• Gertrude Ackroyd – Roger Ackroyd’s eccentric sister-in-law and mother to Flora. Flamboyant and overbearing, she resents her dependence on Roger Ackroyd.

• Inspector Raglan – An Inspector from Cranchester. Not the best of the lot, though seemingly well-intentioned. But why can’t he see the obvious?