Death On The Nile - Milton Keynes Theatre

Like a classic mystery? This week Agatha Christie’s Death On The Nile comes to Milton Keynes Theatre. This famous whodunnit reunites writer Ken Ludwig, director Lucy Bailey and producers Fiery Angel for the European premiere of a new adaptation of the globally celebrated Agatha Christie story.

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?

The first thing to know is that the acting is sublime.  Every character is defined and well written with a lot of dialogue to follow but it draws you in and soon you feel you are looking at all the cast with suspicion.  I adored this production and it felt fresh and with clever use of the stage and sets, it really felt we were onboard a ship heading down the Nile.

Mark Hadfield is the impeccable famous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot.  He is funny, he is stylish and he is rather good at solving crimes.  Mark nails everything we love about our favourite Belgium detective, right down to the humour, the moustache and the mannerisms.  He is accompanied by his trusted friend, Colonel Race played by Bob Barrett.  Bob is most well-known for playing Sasha Levy in Holby City (I am a huge Holby fan), but Bob is completely believable as the Colonel.  Poirot and the Colonel make a great pair when it comes to solving the crime.  To be honest they have many suspects to choose from.  There is Atticus Praed (Howard Gossington) who is upset that Linet’s father had talked him into investing his life savings in a sham company.  Or could it be Jacqui (Esme Hough) who was Simon’s love before he married Linet?  Septimus (Terence Wilton) has a gun as does Jacqui.  It’s all rather troubling when shots go off.  Then we have Annabelle Pennington (Helen Katamba) who is desperate to get Linet to sign some new documents now she is married.  What is the urgency?

Glynis Barber plays Salome Otterbourne and she is so watchable she steals scenes.  I also love Salome’s outfits and with her interest in drama, she is a character I could completely connect with.  I adored Linet (Libby Alexandra Cooper) who has sparkled on stage in her stunning outfits.  When Jacqui describes her as the sun – it feels it.  The costume and wardrobe department on this production should be really proud of themselves – its absolutely stunning.

I cannot give you any more information as I do not want to give the game away.  If you love Agatha Christie you will love this. If you love Poirot you will love this. If you love a good mystery you will love this and most of all, if you love a well-acted play (as I do), you will love this as much as I did. Now the only thing to solve is grabbing a ticket.

Death On The Nile is at Milton Keynes Theatre until 18 October 2025.