Audition Notice
Murder, Margaret and Me
by Philip Meeks
directed by Bryony Weaver
Auditions: Saturday 31st January and Sunday 1st February 2026 in the South Hall, 12pm-5pm.
Production Dates: Friday 15th to Saturday 23rd May 2026
(Sunday 17th is a matinee)
Performance: We will be in theTheatre Upstairs, and rehearsals will start early February. There will also be some evening rehearsals for the ‘Studio Technicians’.
In December 1926, one of the world’s most prolific crime writers, Agatha Christie, went missing. After a nationwide search, which made international newspaper headlines, she was found in a spa hotel in Harrogate. What she’d been doing in the eleven days she was gone remained a mystery for decades.
In 1960, the rights to a number of her books were sold to MGM, who decided to turn a few of the Miss Marple titles into films. When they offered the lead role to ‘Queen of Comedy’ Margaret Rutherford, Christie was horrified; she didn’t want Rutherford in the role; she was nothing like her fabled spinster detective. For her part, Rutherford was mortified at the prospect of sullying her reputation with something as sordid as murder.
Through poignant, biting and witty dialogue, Meeks’s comedy-thriller offers an explanation as to why Rutherford was reluctant to take on the role that propelled her to global recognition, and has Christie turn detective to unearth Rutherford’s tragic secret.
Cast
I’m not looking for caricatures for the two main roles – the actors need to find an approximation of Rutherford and Christie, while adding their own interpretations to the roles.
Agatha Christie (playing age late 50s–early 70s) – Agatha is sharp-witted, acid-tongued, curious, kind (up to a point) to those she likes, and defensive. She is determined to guard her own secrets, while fascinated to find out what makes others tick.
Margaret Rutherford (playing age late 50s-early 70s) – Margaret is 3 different people: the public, screen face of the world-famous actress (known for her eccentric but honest portrayals of roles), the social face presented to colleagues (courteous, kind, open), and the private self – ‘Peggy’ (vulnerable, and scared that delicate mental health is her family legacy).
‘The Spinster’ (playing age late 50s-early 70s) – She is the lynch pin of the play. She speaks to the audience, filling in parts of the plot. She is also the ‘Miss Marple’ that each woman sees in her mind’s eye. The actress will also play a hairdresser in Elstree Studios and a socialite secretary at a cocktail party, so the actress playing her will need versatility.
Studio technicians/ crew: These are 2 non-speaking roles (although they may be asked to add dialogue at times): Preferably male (one mid-50s, one 30s), but I’m happy for anyone to apply. Auditions for them will be a discussion of the roles and some improvisation to try out ideas.
We will also be looking for a Production Manager and ASMs.
For more details, a copy of the script and audition pieces and to book a slot, please email Bryony Weaver on MMandM@newventure.org.uk
All of our auditions are open to anyone. You don't have to be a member to audition, but you will need to join if you are cast in the production.