AUDITION NOTICE: The Unexpected Guest - New Farm Nash Theatre

Title: The Unexpected Guest

Presented By: New Farm Nash Theatre

Genre: Mystery / Thriller

Synopsis: On a foggy night in South Wales, a stranger stumbles into a house to find a man dead and his wife standing over him with a smoking gun. What follows is a web of secrets, lies and shocking revelations as the truth slowly unfolds. Directed by Susan O'Toole Cridland, this production remains true to Agatha Christie’s style while exploring darker, more sinister and gothic undertones.

Audition Date: Sunday 19 July 2026

Audition Time: 2:00pm

Audition Location and Address: Nash Playshed, 4 Amity Street, New Farm

Audition Requirements:

• No prepared piece required.

• Performers will be asked to cold read from script excerpts.

• English accent required (a general English accent is suitable).

• Richard Warwick will be doubled with Inspector Thomas, Julian Farrar and Sergeant Cadwallader.

Performance Dates: 13 November – 5 December 2026

Performance Location: The Brunswick Room, Merthyr Road Uniting Church, 52 Merthyr Road, New Farm

Creative Team: Director: Susan O'Toole Cridland

Production Website: https://www.nashtheatre.com

Other information:

• Ages are approximate and flexible depending on casting.

• Actors of all backgrounds are encouraged to audition.

Available Roles/Character Breakdown:

• Laura Warwick (Female, 20s–40s) Elegant, composed and emotionally complex. The wife of the murdered man who appears fragile but possesses quiet strength and depth.

• Michael Starkwedder (Male, 30s–50s) A confident, quick-thinking stranger who becomes entangled in the situation. Charismatic, observant and morally ambiguous.

• Richard Warwick / Inspector Thomas / Julian Farrar / Sergeant Cadwallader (Male, 30s–60s)

  A versatile performer to play multiple roles:

  • Richard Warwick: The deceased husband whose brief appearance is pivotal to the story.

  • Inspector Thomas: Methodical, perceptive and authoritative police inspector.

  • Julian Farrar: A reserved and somewhat enigmatic neighbour.

  • Sergeant Cadwallader: Practical, grounded police officer.

• Miss Bennett (Female, 40s–60s) Laura's efficient and observant secretary. Intelligent, composed and quietly perceptive.

• Henry Angell (Male, 50s–70s) A devoted and loyal servant. Warm, sincere and protective of the household.

• Jan Warwick (Male presenting, late teens–20s) Richard's younger half-brother. May be played by a female-presenting, non-binary or gender-diverse performer. Sensitive, troubled and emotionally vulnerable.

• Mrs Warwick (Female, 50s–70s) Richard's mother. Strong-willed, sharp and formidable, with a commanding presence.