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Post by justfran on Feb 20, 2024 11:58:11 GMT
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19,773 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 21, 2024 11:34:57 GMT
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Post by willjam39 on Feb 21, 2024 11:53:22 GMT
So glad this has another life as we were going to see it in Bath during its run there but they had to cancel the final performances due to cast illness.
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Post by theatremiss on Feb 21, 2024 18:24:29 GMT
Is this the one that was at Chichester?
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Post by alicechallice on Feb 21, 2024 19:06:41 GMT
Is this the one that was at Chichester? Adaptation, yes. Production, no. |
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Post by Rory on Feb 21, 2024 19:15:15 GMT
I think Jonathan Church did the Chichester one, this is directed by Lucy Bailey.
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Post by willjam39 on Feb 22, 2024 8:22:24 GMT
Ah, my mistake on the production but still very glad the script is on the road again.
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Poppy or Drood
Auditioning
What is your all time favourite musical they ask...?
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Post by Poppy or Drood on Jul 16, 2024 17:06:37 GMT
Just recently announced that the always excellent Michael Maloney with be playing Poirot in this tour.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 16, 2024 17:25:03 GMT
Conflicted about this. Having read the book and seen the films there can be no surprises in the plot. Is the production likely to be enough to entice me?
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Post by crabtree on Sept 9, 2024 21:48:32 GMT
sadly, I've not the time or money to see this production of Murder on the Orient express, currently at the Lowry, but I'm intrigued to see how it's been adapted and staged - probably not the easiest novel to adapt.
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Post by david on Sept 14, 2024 18:08:31 GMT
Having enjoyed the recent touring production of Lucy Bailey's adaption of "And then there were none" as well as "Witness for the Prosecution" in London, I had no hesitation in booking for her latest adaption of this classic Christie story during its stop this week at the Lowry for todays matinee viewing. With a run time of 2hrs and 20 minutes, I really enjoyed this latest offering from Lucy and her team just as much her previous offerings and would have no hesitation in recommending this 4 star production to others to watch if it tours near you.
It was well paced and filled with the usual Christie red herrings and twists and turns to the final reveal. Having seen the film and tv adaptations over the years, I thought it held up well thanks to a wonderful cast and set design. Knowing the ending really didn't ruin my enjoyment and by the comments made by other folk on their way out there was much praise for this production and this seems to have been replicated in the critic reviews of the Lowry run from the few I have read all gave this production a thumbs up in their reviews.
With such an iconic character as Poirot being played over the years by some wonderful actors, Michael Moloney makes for an engaging and fun watch as the Belgian detective ably supported by his fellow cast members. There was a nice balance between drama and comedy with Christine Kavanagh and Debbie Chazen have some really fun moments to lighten the mood after the more tense moments. I certainly felt it was all round a strong cast in delivering this performance.
For the set design, I was really intrigued in how the designers would pull off this story and so a big shout out here to designer Mike Britton for the fantastic Orient Express carriage set that is on display. Consisting of 3 breakaway carriages in full Edwardian decor along with an overheard video screen to display the necessary snowdrift and train movements. Backed up with a few tables and chairs for a few scenes at the front of the stage, the Lyric stage for me was well utilised with this production. The only criticism I would make is that you did get a few of the stage crew moving the carriages during the show which just looked odd. Along with a terrific set design, you get a nice lighting and sound design from Oliver Fenwick and Mic Pool respectively to add to the atmosphere of the piece.
Overall, a nice afternoon in Salford and I hope Lucy Bailey is planning more Christie adaptations as I would certainly be very keen to see them.
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Post by greenandbrownandblue on Oct 5, 2024 13:15:10 GMT
Saw this last night. Considerably better than the dull Branagh film a few years ago. Michael Moloney makes an excellent Poirot. It moves along at a decent pace, although I felt it lacked tension. There are some good bits of staging (the carriage is wonderfully detailed) and when used the revolve is effective. But it feels like they ran out of money and couldn't fully realise the design - the manual moving of set pieces is clunky.
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Post by ruggerlad on Oct 17, 2024 21:35:33 GMT
Saw a matinee in leicester today
Adored it
Maloney was excellent
As were the rest of the cast
Great lighting, the sparing score.
Loved the design of the carriages
The flesh back at the end was incredibly atmospheric
Agree about the slightly odd choices of stage hands in stage at times
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Post by capybara on Nov 7, 2024 1:30:16 GMT
Although director Lucy Bailey has pulled together a functional yet faithful staging of the classic murder mystery, the pacing of the piece seems to hold this back somehow.
The set design is initially pleasing, with the carriage making use of the stage revolve, it soon hems the company in and has a negative effect on the suspense of the piece.
Michael Maloney gives an assured performance as everybody’s favourite Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, while Bob Barrett assumes the role of his confidante and sidekick Monsieur Bouc. But Ken Ludwig’s script feels overly blunt at times, with Poirot’s famous deductive powers on full display but rarely in a way that feels fresh.
Perhaps Murder on the Orient Express just naturally lends itself more to the page or the screen because, for large parts, this production just never really catches light. The opening, as we meet the production’s large ensemble cast, feels tediously drawn out and even the build-up to the aforementioned murder seems to lack the required amount of suspense.
Although the set itself is both impressive and ambitious for a touring production, perhaps more could have been done by way of sound and lighting design. But video projections on a dropped curtain just do not cut it, especially when the same director presided over a much more dynamic staging of Christie’s And Then There Were None recently.
However, the second act, when Poirot assembles the cast to make his big reveal, is much more engaging but, while serviceable, the piece left me wanting a little bit more.
Three stars.
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Post by Jan on Nov 7, 2024 8:57:03 GMT
Michael Maloney gives an assured performance as everybody’s favourite Belgian detective Hercule Poirot Third after Thomson and Thompson. |
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Post by Dave B on Nov 7, 2024 8:59:47 GMT
I really liked how the medium lets them do the flashbacks to the murder and the moments Poirot picks up on the clues but otherwise this wasn't brilliant. Set looked great but so much moving of it and so much stage crew and all the clunking and clanking as they had to open and close the bolts holding it together. Rounded up to just about 3 stars in Richmond the other night.
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Post by theatreian on Nov 14, 2024 9:57:15 GMT
I saw this yesterday in Malvern and really enjoyed it. It was almost a full house and several customers told me how much they had enjoyed it afterwards when I was on my cloakroom desk. A nice touch at the end was when Michael Maloney did a tribute to Timothy West who has appeared in Malvern several times. Some of the audience hadn't heard about his death as there were gasps when he announced it.We all gave one final applause to Timothy.
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