The Mysterious Affair at Styles

by Kate Danley

FULL LENGTH - murder mystery adaptation

-Nominated for Sixteen Broadway World Regional Awards
-Highlight of 2022 - Play Off the Page
-Critics' Pick - Star Tribune

This faithful, new adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES introduces audiences to the first mystery of Hercule Poirot.

The year is 1916 and, injured in WWI, Hastings finds himself convalescing at the manor of his old...

FULL LENGTH - murder mystery adaptation

-Nominated for Sixteen Broadway World Regional Awards
-Highlight of 2022 - Play Off the Page
-Critics' Pick - Star Tribune

This faithful, new adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES introduces audiences to the first mystery of Hercule Poirot.

The year is 1916 and, injured in WWI, Hastings finds himself convalescing at the manor of his old friend, John Cavendish. But when John's mother is poisoned in the middle of the night, everyone becomes a suspect. The only person who can solve the crime is none other than the famed Belgium detective, Hercule Poirot.

Agatha Christie's gifts of misdirection are on full display as red herrings, twists, and turns lead the audience on a dizzying journey to find out whodunnit.

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The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Kate Danley
    “

    A murder mystery that is an utter treat and makes for a thrilling night of theatre! Marvelous!

    A murder mystery that is an utter treat and makes for a thrilling night of theatre! Marvelous!

    ”

Character Information

  • HERCULE POIROT
    A funny little man, but wonderfully clever. His neatness is almost incredible. A man of great heart and intelligence.
    40s+
    Any,
    Belgium
    Male,
    Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • LIEUTENANT HASTINGS
    A romantic soldier who aspires to be a detective, his leg was wounded in WWI
    20s+
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • DETECTIVE JAMES JAPP
    Working class detective, works for Scotland yard.
    30s+
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • JOHN CAVENDISH
    Practiced for some time as a barrister, but settled down to the more congenial life of a country squire
    20s - 30s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • MISS EVIE HOWARD
    Gruff but kind. Alfred Inglethorp's cousin and bears a resemblance. (Can be double cast with Emily Inglethorpe)
    40s+
    Any
    Female,
    Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • MARY CAVENDISH
    Wife of John Cavendish. Intelligent. Longing for love.
    20s+
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • DORCAS
    Loyal parlor maid
    30s+
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • MRS. EMILY INGLETHORP
    Formerly Mrs. Cavendish, John and Lawrence's stepmother. A handsome woman, energetic, autocratic personality. Should look much older than Alfred Inglethorpe. (Can be double cast with Evie Howard)
    50s - 70s+
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • ALFRED INGLETHORP
    Black beard, gold-rimmed pince-nez, and a curious impassivity of feature. He might look natural on a stage, but out of place in real life. His voice is deep and unctuous. Should appear 20-years younger than actress cast as Mrs. Inglethorp.
    30s - 50s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • LAWRENCE CAVENDISH
    John's younger brother, a delicate youth. He trained as a doctor but lives at Styles to be a poet. Melancholic. Unusually shy and reserved.
    20s - 40s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • CYNTHIA MURDOCH
    Works in the Red Cross Hospital. Fresh-looking young creature, full of life and vigor.
    20s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • DR. BAUERSTEIN
    A tall bearded man similar in look to Alfred Inglethorp, specialist in poisons
    30s - 50s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Production History

  • Community Theater, Theatre in the Round, 2022