This isn’t a sponsored post.
BrumHour was invited to see Murder on the Orient Express at the invite of The Alexandra.
For Brum Radio’s Interval Theatre, Michael Maloney spoke about playing Poirot in this UK tour of Murder on the Orient Express. Listen below:
By Dave Massey x.com/BrumHour
Murder on the Orient Express at The Alexandra: Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐”A fun stage production of the classic mystery”
Directed by Lucy Bailey, adapted by Ken Ludwig
It is the 1930s, and the Orient Express is heading towards France, on board its upper-class service is one Hercule Poirot (Michael Maloney), who finds himself wearing his detective persona when one of the passengers is stabbed multiple times overnight.
A huge rotating stage becomes the setting for the train, and at first, and during the ending the stage is completely clear. It seems impossible that a train could ever be shown within this space. But it is very impressively done. I adored the layout even if the the scene changes took a moment or to more than on a regular set.
The soundscape evokes mystery as well as international railway travel for the elite as well as the costumes and actual design of the coaches on the set.
My money was on the wrong culprit as it has been a very long time since I watched any version of this production. Michael Maloney rightly takes centre stage and his little gasp connecting Poirot to Beligum sends delight through the audience as he puts his own stamp on this character, without straying too far away from other actors versions. A trick to pull off indeed. Bob Barrett’s humour covered his crazy accent most of the time and each of the other actors gel amazingly well as the other passengers on board.
I’m not sure how people who know the story will enjoy this, but the show is very well sold this week in Birmingham, so clearly there must be something in seeing it when you know the story.
A fun stage production of the classic mystery, Murder on the Orient Express is at The Alexandra until 1st February 2025 before heading on tour until 3rd May 2025. Book tickets here: murderontheorientexpressplay.com and see what is coming up at The Alexandra here: atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham.
