Play Name
Murder on the Nile
By Agatha Christie
Directors
Steve: steve@hendrixtraining.com 07816329970
Marion: marionandjohnbarker@btinternet.com 07507722803
Playing Dates
Thursday 8th April to Saturday 17th April (first Thursday is a private Charity show; not Sunday 11th April; matinee Saturday 10th April)
Get-in and Strike
21st March; 18th April
Venue
Main House
Time
1930s
Location
Riverboat on the Nile
genre/Style
Murder mystery thriller
Audition
2:30pm Sunday November 8th 2026
About the play
A cruise along the Nile should be the trip of a lifetime. But when a shocking murder rocks the boat, every passenger is a suspect! Trapped with their own secrets and lies, dare they uncover the truth? Agatha Christie’s classic mystery delivers unforgettable characters, ingenious twists and enough red herrings to keep you guessing until the final curtain!
Rehearsals
From first week of February
Contact Steve or Marion for scripts or if you have any questions.
CHARACTERS
KAY MOSTYN: Female, 20s/30s. Newly married and very wealthy. Glamorous, confident, and used to getting her own way. A central role with emotional intensity. Kay is a wealthy heiress and former friend of Jacqueline de Severac. Standard British RP. (Central character)
SIMON MOSTYN: Male, 20s/30s. Kay’s charming new husband. Attractive, boyish, and personable, but not as strong-willed as he first appears. Standard British RP. (Central character)
JACQUELINE DE SEVERAC: Female, 20s/30s. Fiery, passionate, and volatile. Deeply in love with Simon and consumed by jealousy. A dramatic, high-energy role. Jacqueline was at school with Kay and formerly her friend before she became Simon’s ex-fiancée (so they must be similar in age). Standard British RP. (Central character)
CANON AMBROSE PENNEFATHER: Male, 50s–70s. Kay’s uncle, a clergyman with a sharp wit. Outspoken, eccentric, and often humorous, yet with a strong sense of morality. Kay’s guardian and uncle, her father’s financial advisor. Must have great stage presence as the primary (Poirot-style) detective. British RP. (Central character)
CHRISTINA GRANT: Female, 20s/30s. A spirited young woman travelling abroad for the first time. Sweet and sensible, and very patient with her demanding aunt. Remains even-tempered throughout — although almost too good to be true. Curious, bright, and eager to experience life. Standard British RP.
WILLIAM SMITH: Male, 30s–40s. A blunt, working-class socialist with outspoken views. Honest and direct, with a gruff warmth and comic touches. Has a disdain for the upper classes. His working-class accent is put on because he is covering up his own background. This is not revealed until much later in the play. Accent: Working-class English.
LOUISE BOURGET: Female, 20s/30s. Kay’s French maid. Attractive, flirtatious, and somewhat resentful of her position. She is key to the unfolding mystery. She is fond of Kay. Very observant and does not miss anything; she is more cunning than first appears. Accent: French.
MISS HELEN FFOLIOT-FFOULKES: Female, 50s–70s. A domineering Englishwoman. Snobbish, opinionated, and prone to speaking her mind, often with unintentional comedy. Entitled and treats her niece Christina as an unpaid servant. Accent: Upper-class British RP.
DR. LUDWIG BESSNER: Male, 40s–60s. A mysterious European doctor and psychologist, with a noticeable German accent. Intelligent but insecure, often blustering to assert his authority. As the play unfolds, we learn that he has a deep-seated grudge against Kay’s father. Nervous energy balanced with moments of humour. Accent: German/Central European.
STEWARD: Male, 20s–40s. The ship’s attendant. Professional, polite, and efficient, with a friendly manner and moments of dry humour. Neutral accent with slight Egyptian inflection.
The BEADSELLERS will be very persistent in trying to sell their trinkets and souvenirs. They will double with the Steward and McNaught (ship’s manager). The Steward will exude charm and amiability, although he only understands about a quarter of what is said to him. The POLICE OFFICER, who makes a brief appearance at the end of the play, can double with one of the Beadsellers.
AUDITION PIECES
Kay
Page 21 from “Yes – yes! I’m going to enjoy this” to page 23 “…Anyhow, it’s lovely that you’re here.”
Page 34 from “What do you mean?” to page 38 “…I simply didn’t dare suggest that I should.”
Simon
Page 24 from Canon’s line “I could not help hearing your conversation” to page 37 “…but I don’t really see that there are any steps one can take.”
And
Page 86 from “I’m sorry, but I can’t stand being treated…” to bottom of page 88 “..I tell you nothing but money will unloosen that girl’s tongue.”
Jacqueline
Page 39 after Canon says “…Egyptians called the hidden horizon” to page 42 “…and it’s poisoning everything — everything for them.”
And
Top of page 56 “You’re a happy sort of person…” to page 59 “… Oh, Simon, Simon I’ll kill myself.”
Canon Ambrose
Page 39 from “We shall be starting in a minute or two” to page 43 “…before it is too late, this is your moment.”
And
Page 96 from “When I went to bed…” to bottom of page 99 “..would to God you had.”
Christina
From bottom of page 11 when Smith says, “Too bad they spelt your aunt’s name with a large F” to bottom of page 13 “…there’s no call to be rude.”
And
Page 53 “What have you been saying to upset poor Dr Bessner?” to page 56 “…I’m thinking we all need some sleep.”
William
From bottom of page 11 “Too bad they spelt your aunt’s name with a large F” to bottom of page 13 when Christina says, “There’s no call to be rude.”
And
Page 73 “Quite the examining magistrate, aren’t you?” to page 74 and Canon says, “No, I was reading.”
Louise
From page 75 “O monsieur, how can you doubt” to page 77 “Yes, they are dangerous.”
And
Page 90 from “Monsieur, you wished to see me?” to bottom of page 91 “I do not understand you, monsieur.”
Miss Ffoliot-Ffoulkes
From top of page 10 “It’s absurd to say those are the best cabins…” to bottom of page 11 “..is all the drinking water on this boat very fresh? Is it boiled?”
And
Page 81 “So there you are, Christina…” to page 85 “…I think I’d better have a word with Christina.”
Dr. Ludwig
From page 14 “No, I do not want them…” to page 15 “Present me please.”
And
Page 51 “You will excuse me, please…” to page 52 “They too should suffer — yes, suffer. Forgive me, I am upset.”
Steward/Beadseller
Page 8 from “Good afternoon, ladies…” to page 9 “Très gentille, très chic.”
McNaught
From page 72 after Canon says, “It is a matter for the police” to page 72 “See you later, gentlemen.”