OPEN CALL AUDITION: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - November 1, 2025
Ottawa Little Theatre presents
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Written by: Agatha Christie adapted for the stage by Mark Shanahan
Directed by: Greg Hancock
Production Dates:
February 25 – March 14 at 7:30 pm (Wednesdays – Saturdays) and matinees on March 1 & 8 at 2:30 pm (Sundays)
Open Call Audition:
Auditions will be held on:
Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 1:00 pm
Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to fill out your audition card – onstage readings will commence at 1:00pm sharp.
Audition Location:
Ottawa Little Theatre
400 King Edward Avenue, Ottawa
(Please use 235 Besserer Street entrance.)
Backstage Orientation:
Simultaneously with the audition, A BACKSTAGE ORIENTATION and tour of the theatre will be offered by a member of the Volunteer Committee for anyone interested in working behind the scenes on any future production. Descriptions of each of the various Volunteer Positions can be found in the Volunteer section of this website.
Synopsis:
When Mrs. Ferrars is discovered dead from an apparent suicide, the tiny village of King’s Abbot 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! Investigating the crime in a mansion filled with suspects – each with their own motive – has left the local police baffled. Fortunately, a mysterious newcomer who claims to be a retired detective has arrived in King’s Abbott and is on the case. But, in a secretive household where nothing is as it seems, can the mystery of whodunit be solved before the murderer strikes again? From the Queen of Crime comes a thrilling tale of greed, blackmail and murder most foul.
Agatha Christie’s ingenious 1926 novel The Murder of Roger Ackroyd cemented her reputation as the greatest mystery novelist of all time and has been called “the best and most cunning solution devised in her storied career.” Filled with colorful characters, outrageous laughter and nail-biting suspense, this Christie classic is sure to leave audiences guessing, gasping and delighting in the case long after the curtain has come down.
Join OLT in this presentation marking the 100th anniversary of the debut of the mystery that the British Crime Writers’ Association voted the best crime novel ever.
Character Descriptions
JAMES SHEPPARD – Our narrator. The local doctor for King’s Abbot. Affable, smart and a good storyteller. Upon Roger’s murder, he becomes Poirot’s associate in the investigation of his friend’s death.
CAROLINE SHEPPARD – The nosy sister of James. She prizes gossip above all, using it to her advantage whether it is correct or not. With an air of innocuousness, she closely observes the actions of the village’s residents, habitually jumping to conclusions and stubbornly insisting that she is always correct.
HERULE POIROT – The Belgian detective, in retirement. A master of the study of human nature, Poirot is known to hold back his vital impressions until he is certain of the facts.
RALPH PATON – Young and handsome, 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.
MISS 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, though can turn suddenly cold when confronted.
MAJOR HECTOR BLUNT – A big game hunter and friend of Roger Ackroyd’s 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. Possesses a strong backbone. She tries desperately to keep her opinions to herself, but she knows more about the comings and goings at Fernly than she is willing to admit.
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. But he often seems to be underfoot when you least expect him.
GERTRUDE ACKROYD – Roger Ackroyd’s eccentric sister-in-law and mother to Flora. Flamboyant and overbearing, she constantly frets over and resents her dependence on Roger Ackroyd.
INSPECTOR RAGLAN – An Inspector from Cranchester. Not the best of the lot, though seemingly well intentioned. At first resentful of Poirot’s presence, he is quickly won over by Poirot’s charm and agrees to allow Poirot to help. But why doesn’t he see the obvious?
Audition Sides
Click the links below to see the scenes that will be used at the audition. Physical copies of each side will also be available at the audition.
Side 4 – Sheppard, Flora, Gertrude
Side 5 – Sheppard, Flora, Blunt, Gertrude
Side 10 – Poirot, Miss Russell, Flora, Gertrude
Side 13 – Sheppard, Poirot, Miss Russell