One of Agatha Christie’s very best thrillers with a fabulous final twist is a sure fire hit with audiences as it embarks on a UK tour under the direction of Lucy Bailey.
Some of the cast of Murder on the Orient Express | Photo © Manuel Harlan
It’s winter 1934, and an avalanche stops the Orient Express dead in its tracks. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times, his door locked from the inside.
Trapped in the snow with a killer still on board, can the world’s most famous detective, Hercule Poirot, crack the case before the train reaches its final destination?
The stage design by Mike Britton allows the fast-moving episodic piece to move with ease between carriages against an atmospheric lighting design by Oliver Fenwick and effective projection from Ian William Galloway.
Costumes are picture perfect and visually, the production works well on all levels.
Michael Maloney leads the company as the iconic Poirot. He brings his own characterisation which grows with the story, and the final revelation resonates with the audience.
The company work well together and the various styles used in direction by Lucy Bailey lends a contemporary feel to the production.
There is much to enjoy in this show. Agatha Christie aficionados will follow with glee as the plot unravels whereas for those unaware of the excellent plot twist; then once known it is hard to forget.
The almost full house clearly enjoyed being snowed in with a murderer at large and as the curtain fell the applause was well deserved.
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Reviewer: Petra Schofield
