Theater Review: AGATHA CHRISTIE’S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (The Old Globe)

ALL ABOARD FOR MURDEROUS FUN

Agatha Christie fans rejoice! There is a new Christie adventure in a terrific production at The Old Globe, a novel/play hybrid of one of the Dame’s most popular novels, the 1934 best seller Murder on the Orient Express. Opening last night, this imaginative production blends the original novel with comic playwright Ken Ludwig‘s 2017 adaptation, and it is a worthy addition to the Christie theatrical canon.

Andrew Sellon as Hercule Poirot, Matthew Patrick Quinn as Samuel Ratchett,
Mylinda Hull as Helen Hubbard, and Rajesh Bose as Michel the Conductor

Murder on the Orient Express is set on a luxury train stalled in a blizzard at an eastern European mountain pass. The passengers are a colorful and diverse lot that includes characters from the United States, England, Germany, Sweden, Russia, and France. And, of course, the dominating figure is the inimitable Belgian private detective Hercule Poirot.

Karole Foreman as Princess Dragomiroff, Sophia Oberg as Greta Ohlsson,
Andrew Sellon as Hercule Poirot, and David Breitbarth as Monsieur Bouc

After about 25 minutes of minor chit-chat and low comedy, the show kicks into high gear with the discovery that one of the passengers, a vile American business tycoon, has been murdered in his bed, the man stabbed exactly eight times. The killing took place in a stateroom which allowed the killer to neither enter nor depart without being seen by other passengers, making the killing one of the earliest locked-room crimes in the history of mystery fiction.

The Cast

As one would expect, Poirot immediately takes over the murder probe, attacking the murder mystery in spite of uncooperative passengers and contradictory clues. Of course, Poirot cuts though all the obfuscations and red herrings to reach the proper solution. But more than that I cannot report because, this being an Agatha Christie story, there is a surprise ending that anyone with a shred of decency would not reveal to the uninformed viewer. At that, Poirot’s detailed explanation of what really happened in that locked room is so complex and so improbable that uninformed viewers are entitled to shrug and tell Poirot they will take his word for it.

The Cast

The large cast is led by Andrew Sellon. who gives us a human and humane Poirot, intelligent and occasionally funny, unlike many portraits of the detective that slide into caricature, mocking the great sleuth for his overweening ego and tiresome references to his “little gray cells.” The majority of the supporting actors portray the eight passengers who may be involved in the murder. First among equals is Mylinda Hull as a brash overbearing American matron who is the funniest character in the cast. The other seven, all well up to the mark, are Sam Ashdown, Helen Joo Lee, Marquis D. Gibson, David Breitbarth, Karole Foreman, Sophia Oberg, and Ariella Kvashny. Matthew Patrick Quinn is the evil tycoon who causes all the fuss, Rajesh Bose is Michel the Conductor, and Maya Gimbel, alternating with Addison Smyres, is Daisy Armstrong. Rounding out the ensemble are Giancarlo Lugo, Larissa Ryan, Samuel Young and Maya Sofia.

The Cast

There can be no equivocation about the genius of Peter Amster‘s staging. The production should long be remembered and honored for the brilliant recreation of the train, inside and out, with its period detail, thanks to the wizardry of the production’s large backstage staff. Anyone who appreciates theater arts should catch this production while it is in town. The use of film and scenery and special effects to recreate to the visual variety and richness is wondrous. Deepest bows go to Paul Tate Poo III (scenic design), Tate Dorman (costume design), Jax Messenger (lighting design), Matthew Parker (sound design), and Greg Emetaz (projection design). But if one might insert a small request, could dialect coach Emmelyn Thayer ease up on the European accents?

Andrew Sellon as Hercule Poirot,
Matthew Patrick Quinn as Samuel Ratchett, Mylinda Hull as Helen Hubbard

However, that last comment should not end the review on any blemish of negativity. Murder on the Oriental Express is a masterwork of creativity. Anyone who appreciates how marvelous and thrilling theater can be should board this train posthaste.

The Cast

photos by Jim Cox

Andrew Sellon as Hercule Poirot

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express
The Old Globe
Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park
ends on October 13, 2024
for tickets, call 619.234-5623 or visit  The Old Globe