Death On The Nile ~ Theatre Royal, Nottingham

 

Reviewed by Helen McWilliams 

Star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A simply glorious evening at the theatre watching one of my all-time favourite Agatha Christie stories unfold aboard a decadent set and starring a cast de force. My 12 year old companion AKA Connor, our team vlogger at Our Entertainment Vlog, couldn't have enjoyed a more perfect experience for his first introduction to Christie's extensive work. This production is a must-see and there's no better setting than the stunningly elegant Theatre Royal Nottingham. 

Bitter rivals. Buried secrets. A love to die for.

On board a luxurious cruise under the heat of the Egyptian sun, a couple’s idyllic honeymoon is cut short by a brutal murder. As secrets that have been buried in the sands of time finally resurface, can the world-famous detective, Hercule Poirot, untangle the web of lies and solve another crime?

As Poirot embarks on an Egyptian cruise, supposedly a relaxing holiday for him, its obvious that a murder or two will take place. Lets face it, if Poirot or indeed Miss Marple appeared on your holiday, you'd run a mile wouldn't you? Unfortunate victims drop like flies when they're around and this plot is no exception. The scene is set for a tumultuous and murderous adventure when Poirot is privy to a passionate relationship between Simon Doyle (Nye Occomore) and Jacqueline De Bellefort (Esme Hough). This fiery pairing are soon subjected to a third wheel, invited into the web by the seemingly innocent lovers, Jacqueline's 'best friend' Linnet Ridgeway (Libby Alexandra-Cooper). 

By the time the cruise has set sail, we have been introduced to every potential victim and suspect. With drama, outrage and scandal lapping at the heels of most of the passengers, it becomes clear that the full complement of travellers will not remain at full capacity for long. In the mix, together with the aforementioned Simon, Jacqueline and Linnet are quite a motley crew of faces. There's mother and daughter; Salome and Rosalie Otterbourne, Colonel Race, father and son duo; Atticus and Ramses Praed, Annabelle Pennington and Septimus Troy. Salome is a wannabe star, while her obedient daughter has her sights set on romance with Ramses, a newly qualified doctor whose career choice is not approved of by his Egyptologist father, Atticus. Septimus is a prolific actor desperately hanging on to the roles he once played in his youth and appears to be Salome's meal ticket. Annabelle is under secret investigation by the exuberant Colonel Race as she is in charge of Linnet's financial affairs and by all accounts, not to be trusted. 

As for the man in charge, if you're unfamiliar with Christie's Belgian (not to be confused with French!) detective, he's a meticulous, logical and quirky character and Mark Hadfield's performance easily rivalled the portrayals given by David Suchet and the late, great Peter Ustinov. Comedic at times, which I often feel Poirot can be, he's certainly not known to be an uptight individual and the moments where Hadfield broke the fourth wall were embraced by the packed house. 

 As the glamorous and wealthy Linnet, Libby Alexandra-Cooper was making her theatrical debut, however I'd not have known if I hadn't read it in the programme. She gave a slick, engaging performance and I'll be watching out for her future roles - a star in the making. Howard Gossington was wonderfully geeky as Atticus, while Nicholas Prasad endearingly shy and retiring as his son, Ramses. Camilla Anvar brought palpable excitable energy as the love-struck Rosalie and Glynis Barber simply shone as Salome, she's a class act and has exceptional stage presence. Connor's personal favourite and the character who provided the laughs has to be Colonel Race played by the ridiculously talented Bob Barrett. I've seen Bob on stage a few times before and he's a gift to any production. Look out for the shimmies!

From a 12 year old's point of view, in case you are wondering whether you should take a child to see the play, he found the gun shots perturbing, they were loud and there were a few. However, despite some confusion as to the plot when we put our heads together in the interval, Connor felt that by the time Poirot gathered everyone to the lounge to point the finger, that everything instantly made sense.  

The production has been adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig and directed by Lucy Bailey, who will be directing Agatha Christie's 'The Hollow' later this year - can't wait! Oliver Fenwick should be commended on his atmospheric lighting design. Mike Britton's design is spectacular and the costumes, supervised by Sarah Holland, are a treat. 

Death On The Nile remains docked at Theatre Royal Nottingham until Saturday 18 April: Book Tickets - Theatre Royal Nottingham.

The show sets sail and continues its voyage on UK and Ireland tour until 23 May: Tour Dates

Make sure you check out Connor's vlog too: Our Entertainment Vlog

📸 Manuel Harlan 

(gifted opportunity)