Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig and directed by Lucy Bailey, Murder on the Orient Express kept us on the edge of our seats as we tried to work out whodunnit.
The audience is introduced to Michael Maloney (Belfast, Young Victoria, The Crown), who is the absolute epitome of Belgian sleuth, Hercule Poirot. He is just perfect in this role, a really strong characterisation that leads the cast from the get-go.
We first see the workings of the set in action and get a glimpse of what is to come when the guests begin to arrive at a restaurant prior to the train making an appearance. The revolving set enables the audience to see the characters as they move in and out of vision.
The set design by Mike Britton, with the Orient Express taking centre stage, is pure genius in this production, moving and evolving as the plot thickens. The audience gets to see the luxurious carriages of the train from every angle throughout this murder mystery suspense, with the actors weaving in and out of the story like clockwork.
The play is set during the winter in 1934. The Orient Express comes to a sudden stop caused by an avalanche. A murder takes place, and it is up to Poirot to use his skills to solve the mystery.
Alongside Maloney, the cast are all excellent in their portrayals of the disparate characters, all unique in their own right. Poirot has the job of working out who is responsible for the killing of Samuel Ratchett, played by Simon Cotton. Ratchett is an American businessman who has plenty of enemies. He portrays his character with just the right level of evil.
Alongside his old acquaintance Monsiour Bouc, played by Bob Barrett, Poirot interviews the guests one by one, including Countess Elena Andrenyi, played by Mila Carter, Princess Dragomiroff, played by Debbie Chazen, Greta Ohlsson, played by Rebecca Charles, Helen Hubbard, played by Christine Kavanagh, Mr Ratchett’s secretary Hector Macqueen, played by Paul Keating Mary Debenham, played by Iniki Mariano and the Colonel, played by Rishi Rian.
Even Michel, the train conductor, played by Jean-Baptiste Fillon, is questioned. The clues are very cleverly teased out, and it is to the credit of the cast as to how these subtly unravel in front of the audience.
Every one of the cast brings something different to their character with well-delivered portrayals. The costumes by Sarah Holland enhance and enrich the characterisation even further.
After questioning everyone on board, Poirot works out what happened that night on the Orient Express, which becomes an uncomfortable truth for him.
This really is a marvel of a show.
★★★★
Limited tickets available. Ticket prices £10-£39.50
ACCESS PERFORMANCES
Captioned: Thu 17 Oct, 7.30pm
Audio Described: Sat 19 Oct, 2.15pm with Touch Tour from 12:45pm
