Murder on the Orient Express, UK Tour Review
Written by Beth for Theatre and Tonic.
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own.
Originally published in 1934, Christie's Murder on the Orient Express is one of the best known murder mysteries out there, and yet this stage adaptation by Ken Ludwig and directed by Lucy Bailey preserves all the suspense and intrigue for the audience.
We meet Hercule Poirot (Michael Maloney) who begins to tell us of a most distressing case of his, as he and the passengers on board the famous Orient Express are trapped for three days in a snowdrift when a murder occurs. We are introduced to a cast of varied characters from across the globe, each with their own stories and secrets to be discovered. What follows is a play filled with red herrings, accusations and drama, before we hear impassioned speeches delving into exactly what justice means and the future implications of a guilty conscience.
Maloney plays a formidable Poirot, calling on the little grey cells to help solve the mystery, but with comedic skill and flickers of emotional turmoil rarely visible in many depictions of Poirot. Comedic moments are surprisingly common in this thriller, bringing some much desired light relief.
The use of physical train carriages as the set is cleverly done, with different compartments being switched out as the scenes change. Unfortunately, this does mean the scene changes feel a little elongated, with much of the video design therefore appearing as filler material rather than vital to the performance.
Despite a slow start, the play is gripping and you can't help but become fascinated by backstories and listen tentatively to hear the case laid plain before you in the reveal. The staging of the reveal and explanation is brilliant, with everything laid bare and the suspects lined up as if in a police identity parade waiting to hear who would be accused. Use of flashbacks to lines in the play where clues had been revealed here was fantastic, enabling the audience to piece the trail together just as Poirot explains.
Murder On the Orient Express is intriguing and intense, a fabulous night out for all Christie or theatre lovers, those who know the story and who are going in blind alike.
On a UK tour until 3 May 2025.
★ ★ ★ ★
