Murder on the Orient Express, one of Agatha Christie's top ten novels comes to the Old Globe Stage with an Adaptation by Ken Ludwig
A Blog View by Alejandra Enciso-Dardashti
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| The cast of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. Photo by Jim Cox. |
During a train trip from Istambul to London, in the first class cars, Samuel Ratchett (Matthew Patrick Quinn) an American man, is murdered in his compartment. A famous detective and one of two of Agatha Christie's main characters, Hercule Poirot (Andrew Sellon), also travels on the train and starts investigating before another killing occurs. The group of travelers on this trip is made up of several personalities like the owner of the train, Monsieur Bou (David Breitbarth), Princess Dragomiroff (Karole Foreman) who is accompanied by Greta Ohlsson (Sophia Oberg), Colonel Arbuthnot (Sam Ashdown) and Mary Debenham (Helen Joo Lee), a former commoner and doctor, now turned countess by marriage, Countess Andrenyi (Ariella Kvashny), the serial divorcee Helen Hubbard (Mylinda Hull) who is obnoxiously loud and has an attraction for the train conductor Michel (Rajesh Bose), and Ratchett's assistant, Hector MacQueen (Marquis D. Gibson).
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| Andrew Sellon as Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. Photo by Jim Cox. |
The design for this production is stunningly beautiful. Greg Emetaz's projections serve as the introduction to the visuals with a black and white film that takes the upper part of the stage followed by JAX Messenger's lighting signaling a narration that fades into the play splendidly. The enchantment does not stop there as the Orient Express appears on stage to unfold and show the inside, which rotates to reveal different parts of the train. Paul Tate dePoo III's scenic design is a true work of art. Not only does it complement the stage, but it is also realistic. Up to the point where the audience feels like another passenger. Peter Amster's direction meshes the projections and the set with the actor's blocking so there is also movement, looking and feeling like a running train. All nicely accentuated by Matthew Parker's sound design with Gregg Coffin's composition. Tracy Dorman's costume design is flawless showing all the detail of that period with gloves, stockings, feathers, and coats, uplifting the frame.
The cast is wonderful in interpreting each of the character's bold personalities. The performance is clean with a sophisticated air that becomes a thrill while trying to solve the murder. Sam Ashdown is intense as the Colonel, while Helen Joo Lee is sweet, yet mysterious as Mary. Ariella Kvashny shows different histrionic sides well and a cute interaction between the countess and the detective. It is great to see Karole Foreman on the Globe stage after her rendition of Billie Holiday in Cygnet's production of Lady Day At Emerson's Bar & Grill. Foreman, as the impatient Princess Dragomiroff is fun and definitely brings out the laughs along with Greta and her wholesome personality. Rajesh Bose as the conductor also has his comedic moments and is sweet like Hector MacQueen in his role as the Marquis. David Breitbarth is stoic as the train mogul Monsieur Bou, and Andrew Sellon is incredibly charming as Hercule Poirot. Even though every actor has their moment and they use it well, Mylinda Hull as the noisy, nosy, loud Helen Hubbard, steals the show with a non-stop hilarious performance.
Murder on the Orient Express is a beautiful production with stunning visuals and solid performances. The camaraderie off stage with the audience also gets going as everyone is trying to figure out the clues along with the detective making it a full evening (or afternoon) out at the theatre.
Currently playing until October 20. For more information, please click HERE.
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