Review: Murder on the Orient Express at The Lowry Theatre*

[Ad-gifted] Quelle merveilleuse soirée (said in the voice of Hercule Poirot)!

In case you haven’t guessed, we have been to see an Agatha Christie Mystery at The Lowry Theatre in Salford Quays.

It’s one you will know well, if you are fond of Monsieur Poirot. Yes, that’s it – Murder on the Orient Express.   I have watched Poirot in so many forms over the years on TV and Film! Until last night, I was yet to see it at the theatre. Well, it did not disappoint and was a delight… that is if you find murder mysteries delightful, that is!  The all star cast were fabulous.

Keep reading to find out more about how it went.

What I thought of Murder on the Orient Express?

The cast are all well-established performers with Poirot being played by Micael Maloney, who has been in numerous films and TV shows over the years as well as his roles in theatre. Plus you also have Debbie Chazen, playing Princess Dragomiroff and Bob Barrett as Monsieur Bouc who again have been on the stage on and on our teles for many years. Already you can see the type of show this is to be when you know the actor will be performing with such professionalism and passion – you know it’s going to be good.

I listed only a few actors but each one performed flawlessly last night, each with a list of credits to their name as long as your arm! Only one was a shorter list than the rest, that of Mila Carter, playing Countess Elena Adreyni who was sensational and played her part perfectly.

The show was great, I enjoyed every moment. The sets were equally well produced. With train segments that moved – from closed compartments with wooden doors, to the outside view of the carriages that would move and morphed into the inside of each compartment.

The dramatic light sent eerie shadows across the stage, with trickles of music that added enough background noise without being overpowering. There were gun shots and screams that made the audience jump from their seats, all creating the perfect amount of drama and mystery!

What a night. This type of story by Agatha Christie works so well on the stage and you just won’t be disappointed when you come to see it this week at The Lowry Theatre in Salford Quays.

Cast

How much are the tickets?

Tickets are priced from £32.50 to £108.50. Age Recommendation 12+ parental guidance

To book tickets please call The Lowry at 08432086000 or via their website here.  To book accessible performances, please email access@thelowry.com or call 0161 876 2183.

How long is the show for and what are the timings?

The show will be heading running until Sat, 14 September 2024 with performances  at 7.30pm and matinee at 2pm on Thu and Sat.  There is an Audio Described Show on Thu, 12 September at 7.30pm and a Signed (BSL) show on Fri, 13 September. The show will have an approximate running time of 2 hours with a 20 minute break included.

Where will the performance be held?

The Lowry
Pier 8
The Quays
Salford
M50 3AZ
Manchester
Tel: 0843208 6000

Notes:

• The Lowry welcomes all visitors regardless of their disability and strives to meet all individuals needs where possible.
• They welcome assistance dogs.
• The Lowry website is fully accessible and features BrowseAloud.  Browsealoud adds speech, reading and translation support, facilitating access and participation for those people who need support reading print, dyslexia, low literacy, mild visual impairments and those with English as a second language. To use this feature, simply click on the grey ear logo located in the footer.
• If you are driving to the show, we would recommend for you to park at The Lowry Outlet which is opposite the theatre, but be aware as there is lack of signage from the car park area to the theatre, so best to ask someone or use google maps to find your way.
• Pre-paid car parking tickets can be purchased up to 24 hours prior to your performance. Please note they are unable to sell pre paid tickets on your performance date, and you will need to pay at the ticket machines in the car park. The tickets can be booked at the same time as your seats via their website, or over the phone on freephone 0343 208 6000.

About The Lowry Theatre

The Lowry is a registered charity committed to using visual and performing arts to enrich people’s lives. They present audiences with a diverse programme of theatre, opera, musicals, dance, music, comedy and visual art as well as events and activities to expand the horizons of audiences and artists alike.  At the heart of their work is a commitment to the local communities and young people.

Tapping into the work on their stages and in their galleries, they offer thousands of free creative participation opportunities each year. They are passionate about nurturing talent, developing creative professionals of the future and raising aspirations.

Review by: Lex Ward

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Photo Credit: The Lowry Theatre