The Lyceum, Sheffield – until 8 February 2025
Review by Sharon Farley
5*****
With the adaptation of this Agatha Christie classic penned by the multi award-winning Ken Ludwig (Lend me A Tenor, Crazy For You), there was little doubt that this production was going to be well written, but the idea of setting a murder mystery on a train leaves one quite curious about how such a compact environment might be portrayed on stage. The standout element of this production is its ravishingly stylish beauty, from the promotional graphics to the on stage design the audience is effortlessly engaged from start to finish.
Mike Britton’s (Anthony and Cleopatra, Abigail’s Party) design perfectly captivates 1930’s elegance in every way; wood panelling and delicate lighting are further complimented by hair and costume design, which seemed quite reminiscent of the character palette from the classic game of Cluedo. These glamorous visual markers did much to build the atmosphere, but the addition of digital technology in the form of a huge screen worked wonders to add further depth and cinematic elements to the stage, enabling us all to “remember little Daisy Armstrong”. Don’t imagine, however, that this screen creates an easy option backdrop to provide the train layout, it is very much a support and not a centrepiece. The inclusion of digital tech in theatre is an inevitable evolution which will hopefully encourage an increasingly screen-addicted public to continue to embrace live productions too.
Design of the train itself is entirely in 3D and seamlessly manipulated by the ensemble to support various scenes, from corridor to cabin to restaurant and back again. With movement direction by Leah Hausman (Into The Woods, Benvenuto Cellini), the cast employs deft footwork to glide around the space brilliantly, despite there being many high steps and small spaces to traverse. The revolving centre stage is marvellously exploited to pan through scenes with multiple characters performing simultaneous conversations, and builds intrigue by allowing quiet details of the plot to emerge and fade. Add plumes of dry ice to all of this and the audience is whisked back to the time of steam powered transportation.
Playing to a packed house in Sheffield under Lucy Bailey’s (The Other Boleyn Girl, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) brilliant direction, the peculiar case unfolds in the hands of a stellar cast. A locked cabin, a dead body, and reports of a mysterious uniformed conductor nobody can trace. Blood curdling screams and shots ring out that will have you leaping out of your seat, as you try to figure out who the killer could be among the sophisticated blend of international characters, brought together on this fateful three-day journey aboard the world’s most luxurious train service.
Central to the action is, of course, the meticulous Hercule Poirot, excellently played here by Michael Malony (Belfast, All Creatures Great and Small), which is no mean feat given the familiarity of the character in performances by other actors; but Malony dons the famous moustache and leads us into and out of the production with monologues that seal his place in the role. Bob Barrett (And Then There Were None, Sister Boniface Mysteries) shines as Monsieur Bouc – Poirot’s Dr Watson in this case – who adds many of the comic quips that pepper the dialogue. The multi-talented Simon Cotton (Rise of the Krays, Outlander) appears as the boorish villain, Samuel Ratchett, a character who elicits little sympathy from the onlooker. Christine Kavanagh (An Inspector Calls, A Very British Coup) energetically plays a fabulously vivacious and flirtatious Helen Hubbard to perfection, and Paul Keating (The Who’s Tommy, Silent Witness) takes the part of Hector, Ratchett’s henpecked assistant, with all the studious attention required. The entire cast add layer upon layer of talent that draws you into the depths of the plot; if you don’t know the solution to this enduring whodunnit, I’m not going to spoil it for you. If any tickets are still available, grab one and go and see this outstanding production for yourself on its current UK tour.