Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express (UK Tour)
Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig
Directed by Lucy Bailey
The King's Theatre, Glasgow | 8 October 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sumptuous
Ken Ludwig’s gorgeous new adaptation of the Agatha Christie classic 'Murder on the Orient Express' brings beloved Belgian detective Hercule Poirot to regional stages across the UK this year. First published in 1934, 'Murder on the Orient Express' continues to be one of Christie's most popular novels 90 years later. And it's easy to see why. Colourful characters stuck aboard an elegant train in a snow drift with a violently murdered corpse and no means of escape, is just as thrilling a premise now as it was then.
"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?"
This new stage production of Poirot's most difficult case brings Christie's work to life in glorious fashion with a stunning 3D train carriage, revolving stage and hypnotic projections providing visual focus, as the authentic huffs and clangs from massive steel trains reverberate around the auditorium. The wigs and costumes are exquisite, and every inch of the stage is lit with pinpoint precision. So much thought has been put into drawing the audience into the heart of this play; I didn't look away for a second. The design is sumptuous.
Christie's murder mystery is based on a number of real-life events including the kidnap of Charles Lindbergh's son in 1932 and the stranding of the real Orient Express in snow for 5 days in 1929. The book for this version of the tale does follow Christie's narrative for the most part, but it has been altered just enough that it will keep long-term fans of the story on their toes. No spoilers here, but I loved the new twist on the classic. It makes perfect sense.
When M. Poirot boards the train in Istanbul he meets a considerable number of guests who will be travelling alongside him in the first class carriage. (That's the first noticeable change: Poirot has been upgraded to first class!) If I was reading the novel I would have taken notes at this point. There are so many intriguing, glamorous and suspicious characters introduced in Act I that It becomes a little tricky to remember exactly who is who, what their background is and what reasons they have for being on a luxury sleeper train across Europe.
M Poirot though knows something is amiss almost immediately, and when a grizzly murder takes place behind a locked door, the clues all seem a tad suspicious to him. Michael Maloney's Poirot is wonderful. He breaks the fourth wall to confide in the audience - he admits how challenging this case it and it feels as though we are solving the case with him.
The plot is surprisingly humourous in parts, though the physical comedy gives way to tension in Act II. And with a superb, highly experienced ensemble cast masterfully directed by the brilliant Lucy Bailey, each character is delightfully realised, and the case truly is gripping and cryptic.
This 'Murder on the Orient Express' is a stylish, seductive, quality production of a much-loved work that has been beautifully adapted for a new generation of fans. It's a wonderful example of how to successfully transfer an established book to the stage whilst adding richness and flair by means of modern and innovative stage design.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Murder on the Orient Express' is at The King's Theatre, Glasgow from Tues 8 to Sat 12 October 2024 then plays Edinburgh later this month and Aberdeen in 2025. | Jump to tour listings & tickets
📸 production photos: Manuel Harlan
Murder on the Orient Express Cast
Hercule Poirot Michael Maloney
Monsieur Bouc Bob Barrett
Countess Elena Andrenyi Mila Carter
Princess Dragomiroff Debbie Chazen
Greta Ohlsson Rebecca Charles
Samuel Ratchett Simon Cotton
Michel jean-Baptiste Fillon
Helen Hubbard Christine Kavanagh
Hector MacQueen Paul Keating
Mary Debenham Iniki Mariano
The Colonel Rishi Ran
Head Waiter / ensemble Alex Stedman
Ensemble Antony Gabriel
Ensemble Jasmine Raymond
Ensemble Beth Tuckey
Murder on the Orient Express tickets
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⚠️ Age recommendation 12+ | Running time: approx 2 hours 15 mins including interval
King's Theatre, Glasgow
Tickets from £15 atg.com/Glasgow
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Murder on the Orient Express review, UK Tour 2024 2025, Glasgow, Glasgow King's Theatre, Agatha Christie, Hercule Poirot, Michael Maloney
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🎟️ Disclosure: I was invited to review this show and received a complimentary ticket in exchange. Neither the venue nor show has a say in what I write. I'm completely independent and invites have no impact on my analysis or star ratings.
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