I kick off by saying Ken Ludwig’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder On The Orient Express just couldn’t be bettered – it is stunning in both its staging and its acting.
Lucy Bailey directs a version that teeters between white knuckle thriller and camp and comic farce – and it works, oh how it works!
An eerie opening sequence on a bare stage brings all the principals together in a menacing huddle – it’s a gripping prelude.
On his way home from Istanbul ace detective Hercule Poirot, (Michael Maloney) is accompanied by the train company’s boss, Monsieur Bouc (Bob Barrett), a blustering amiable soul.
A motley crowd of first-class passengers quickly present themselves – a fugitive kidnapper and murderer, among them. Simon Cottton plays Samuel Ratchett, a short-tempered oafish businessman, who is soon found stabbed to death multiple times in his locked compartment.
It’s revealed that Ratchett is on the run after kidnapping and then murdering a small girl, Daisy Armstrong. So of course Poirot springs into action into what becomes a tangled web of deceit, lies and revenge.
All the principals present strong and largely unlikeable characters – Mila Carter is an enigmatic countess who happens to be a nurse; Debbie Chazen is a bejewelled Russian Princess – sharp, sarcastic and great fun; Rebecca Charles is Greta, the Princess’s companion, a slight hysterical religious zealot; Jean-Baptiste Fillon is a likeable, apparently honest train conductor; Christine Kavanagh is a rich American heiress with more than a touch of Lauren Bacall in her performance.
Of the rest Rishi Rian is a tall, handsome and short-tempered Indian Colonel in an illicit affair. Maloney, in his smart suit, gold brocade waistcoat, silver cane and carefully groomed moustache commands the stage. He is humorous, thoughtful, sometimes distraught, sometimes flirty but always demanding our attention.
His closing monologue and revelation of the murderer is perfectly pitched and timed.
But the real star of the show – gaining its five-star rating – is the set design of Mike Britton. His train carriages revolve, turn sideways and even break up. Their art deco feel is luxurious and heavyweight and they couldn’t be more realistic – they’re truly brilliant.
And who murdered Ratchett? Not saying. Go see for yourself.
Murder On The Orient Express is at Theatre Royal Brighton until 26 April. Tickets HERE
Pics by Manuel Harlan
You must be logged in to post a comment.