Abridged Death On The Nile is great fun but will Agatha Christie purists approve?
While the Queen of Crime herself might not recognise this adaptation of Death On The Nile and purists of her canon may be upset by the lack of murders and merged characters, Ken Ludwig’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s 1937 novel proves a pleasing, comfortably paced whodunnit that ticks off many of the tale’s more salient points.
For those unfamiliar with the detail of Hercule Poirit’s 17th outing, however, it must be said that this abridged version works in its own right, anchored by the charismatic performance of Mark Hadfield as the legendary Belgian detective. It’s also a knowing, wittily self-reverential production and is all the better for it.
At the Festival Theatre, until 28 March.
