AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (2025)

A murder aboard the luxurious Orient Express leads detective Hercule Poirot to investigate a group of eight suspects, all trapped on the train by a snowdrift, in this classic Agatha Christie whodunnit. Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig.

In Auckland Theatre Company’s Murder on the Orient Express, the audience is swept aboard a moving train and into a world of opulence, suspicion, and sharply timed comedy. Adapted for the stage by Tony-nominated playwright Ken Ludwig and directed by Shane Bosher, this production delivers a theatrical experience as rich and layered as a Christie mystery ought to be—complete with lavish sets, an evocative score, and a brilliant ensemble cast.

Photo credit: Andi Crown Photography

Set in the winter of 1934, the story follows world-famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot as he returns from a case abroad. His journey home is interrupted when the Orient Express becomes stranded in the snow somewhere between Istanbul and London. Come morning, an American tycoon is discovered murdered in his cabin, and with the train cut off from the outside world, Poirot must deduce which of the fellow passengers is responsible.

At the centre of this ensemble mystery stands Cameron Rhodes as Poirot, a performance as fastidious as the detective himself. His portrayal walks the tightrope between dry wit and moral gravity, never allowing the moustache—or the melodrama—to overwhelm the intellect of the character. Rhodes anchors the play, drawing the audience in with a detective whose calm is increasingly tested as the pieces refuse to fall neatly into place.

Photo credit: Andi Crown Photography

Yet it is not only Poirot who impresses. Rima Te Wiata’s Helen Hubbard is a whirlwind of brassy charm and comic timing, effortlessly commanding attention whenever she bursts onto the scene. Jennifer Ludlam brings regal dignity to Princess Dragomiroff, and Mirabai Pease plays Mary Debenham with quiet intelligence and an undercurrent of tension. Sophie Henderson gives Countess Andrenyi both elegance and edge, while Bronwyn Ensor is heartbreaking and sincere as the timid Greta Ohlsson. The cast brings Christie’s characters to vivid life, each with secrets lurking beneath their carefully constructed facades.

What sets this production apart, however, is its sheer visual ambition. John Verryt’s set design is nothing short of exceptional. The modular construction of the train carriage, with its ornate detail and clever mobility, allows scenes to glide from compartment to compartment with ease. Sliding panels and practical doors simulate both the intimacy and the isolation of train travel, while never sacrificing visibility or pace. It’s a rare feat in stage design—to create something both beautiful and believable—but this production accomplishes just that.

Photo credit: Andi Crown Photography

Equally striking is the use of lighting and projection. Sean Lynch’s lighting design sculpts the scenes with precision, shifting tone from comedy to suspense with changes as subtle as a shaft of light falling on a dagger or the glint in Poirot’s eye. When combined with Paul McLaney’s atmospheric soundscape and Harley Campbell’s motion projections, the stage becomes a living, breathing train—complete with steam, snow, and the low rumble of wheels on track.

This sensory richness creates an immersive environment where the audience needs no effort to imagine themselves aboard the Orient Express. The visual storytelling is so complete that the focus remains firmly on the unfolding mystery. There is no need to ‘fill in the blanks’ as is often the case in stage productions; the world is built with such integrity and detail that nothing distracts from the narrative.

Photo credit: Andi Crown Photography

Ludwig’s adaptation is both faithful and fresh. By trimming excess characters and simplifying the plot’s many moving parts, the script becomes accessible without losing the intricacy fans expect. His addition of a framing prologue is a clever touch, helping guide those less familiar with Christie’s work into the story’s world.

That said, the play does take a few liberties with tone. Rather than leaning heavily into the dark tension of murder, Bosher’s direction embraces the absurdity of the situation with moments of physical comedy and heightened farce. At times, this results in sudden tonal shifts, where audience laughter from a previous scene slightly undercuts the gravity of a discovery. But overall, this levity keeps the production moving and avoids becoming bogged down in melodrama.

Photo credit: Andi Crown Photography

There are moments of minor confusion, particularly when Ryan O’Kane re-enters as Colonel Arbuthnot after playing the recently murdered Ratchett. With costumes that are a little too similar, and accent being the only initial clue, one could forgive the audience for doing a double take. However, this is a small wrinkle in an otherwise well-executed ensemble performance.

Special recognition must go to Elizabeth Whiting’s costume design, which masterfully captures both the elegance of 1930s fashion and the personality of each character. From furs and frocks to military uniforms, the wardrobe is not only period-accurate but also character-revealing—adding another layer of storytelling through visual detail.

Photo credit: Andi Crown Photography

In the end, Murder on the Orient Express is a production that confidently balances craft and character. The Auckland Theatre Company has delivered a sleek, stylish, and spirited rendition of a beloved whodunit. It doesn’t just retell a classic story—it elevates it. With a set that dazzles, a cast that delights, and direction that keeps things snappy, this is a show that needs no imagination from its audience. It provides everything, right there on the stage.

And in true Christie fashion, by the time the final twist is revealed, you’ll be left marvelling at how all the clues were there—hidden in plain sight, aboard a train that never truly stood still.

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express runs from 22 April – 10 May 2025 at the ASB Waterfront Theatre

Tickets can be purchased here