Murder On The Orient Express - CFT

I am struggling to see this working. Goodman doesn't strike me as anything close to a Poirot. But most importantly the claustrophobic nature of the train setting is one that just doesn't feel theatrical to me. Sure the design can create small spaces for the compartments but will it truly work or is this a case of seeking a popular rather than theatrical success? I get that they need to sell tickets but there is a reason why Christie didn't do stage versions of her Poirot stories....

The world premiere, in Princeton, was exactly 5 years ago last Thursday.

Except that Murder On The Orient Express also features a lot of snow: the train gets stuck in a snowdrift!

Second act was better, especially during the big reveal scene. If anybody has seen the David Suchet adaptation, this play leans on that version's portrayal of Poirot at the end.

Tone goes from serious to Mrs Hubbard on the other side of the spectrum. Was she meant to be comic relief considering who she is?

Play rather simplifies the story with a reduced cast of characters, missing plot details and added dramatic moments such as the end of the first act

I'd really love to see this and The Unfriend. Hope both transfer.

In terms of available theatres, the only one that's available the earliest that is big enough is the Harold Pinter Theatre otherwise maybe a run at the National in November or December?

Criterion if 2:22 doesn't extend?

It's selling quite well so I imagine it'll extend beyond November.

That's what I'm doing June 4th..

Not going to happen. Orient Express is a commercial show and the Old Vic has a new programme to announce soon

I am enjoying everyone mentioning random theatres without a clue about how small they are.

Harold Pinter!
Criterion!
Arts!
Southwark Playhouse!
My living room!

Knowing how we know you, I’d be very surprised if your living room was smaller than the Southwark Playhouse. Swimming pool, sauna & room for a pony, I’d imagine!

Ya got me

Just been to the matinee, an enjoyable afternoon out, despite some tweaks to the original I wasn’t too happy with. Nonetheless Goodman was a decent Poirot and it would be good if it got a London run after Bath

Really enjoyed this tonight. An excellent entertainment, with Henry Goodman's Poirot the highlight!

Some spoilers follow. . .

This is Poirot. It's not going to change the world. But it's a really good Poirot, and it's great fun!

I've seen numerous Poirots on screen, even numerous versions of this Poirot story, so I wasn't going to bother. Then I realised Henry Goodman was in it, and he has never let me down in anything (his Arturo Ui was one for the ages), so I wanted to see it for him.

And he's great, a combination of my two favourite Poirots: the epicurean experience-hungry sensation of a raconteur, that was Peter Ustinov, and the methodical, precise and eloquent problem solver that is David Suchet. Goodman is buoyant fun, like Ustinov, and confidence-inspiring, like Suchet, and he also has that soft-spoken, thoughtful, heartfelt humanity that he often brings to roles, and does so in spades here, in particular in the opening and closing monologues.

I often find Agatha Christie cold and dry, so Goodman remedies that by being warm and effusive.

The plot has lost one third of its suspects, so some won't like that, though it makes it easier to stage, and the key suspects are still there. And there is an additional plot element, added to give a dramatic flourish to the end of the first act, that Christie purists might not like either.

But for me, Goodman is one of the top three Poirots (eat your heart out, Albert Finney!), the train and train sounds are evocative, the plotting is effective, and all-in-all this is an excellent, if undemanding, night out.

4 stars from me.