Ken Ludwig’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile does exactly what it sets out to do: it entertains! In fact, it is hugely entertaining – one just sits back, very relaxed, and enjoys the next 160 minutes. This is one of those “feel-good” experiences where everything is perfection, and nothing is challenging. We don’t even need to trouble ourselves to work out “whodunnit” if we do not wish to, as we know that Hercule Poirot will do it for us, even if we don’t quite follow the various intricacies of the plot. (For those who have led a very sheltered life, most of the play takes place pre-WW2 on a River Nile luxury steamer where someone is murdered. Poirot just happens to be there!)
Yet, Death on the Nile had a very slow gestation. Christie’s 1937 novel was actually based on a short play she had already written (Moon on the Nile), but then she decided that she would make more money from a novel. In 1942, she adapted the novel into a full-length play, first staged at Dundee in 1944 under the title Hidden Horizon, but, because she was fed up with the success of Poirot, the role was changed to that of a Church of England vicar!
Fast forward to 2024, when Ken Ludwig was asked to write a completely new adaptation, following his success with Murder on the Orient Express, previously seen at Theatre Royal Brighton. Ludwig has the knack of slightly ‘sending up’ Christie, whilst at the same time making the play light and frothy, but believable! No scene ever outstays its welcome, the plot being clearly explained and the various characters being given motivation – especially for murder!
Mark Hadfield makes a very jovial Poirot! His slightly suspect Belgian accent only aids his characterisation, and he is not as pompous as many portrayals are! For some reason, which neither Christie nor Ludwig really explain, a friend of his, Colonel Race, an MI5 agent, is also on board, as are an Egyptian sarcophagus, which has been on loan to the British Museum. Jacqueline de Bellefort (Esme Hough) is stalking her ex-fiancé Simon Doyle (Nye Occomore), who has married stunning blonde wealthy heiress Linnet Ridgeway (Libby Alexandra-Cooper). All three are played with great intensity so that they are slightly larger than life but very believable. One of the strengths of Lucy Bailey’s direction is that the whole ensemble of fourteen have agreed on the style this play needs and stick to that style like glue! Bailey’s direction is also very slick, ensuring that the steamer with its passengers glides along swiftly and smoothly.
She is aided by Mike Britton’s two-level set, perhaps better appreciated from the Dress Circle than from the Front Stalls where one risks a crick in the neck from looking ever-upward, but this does mean that set changes are almost unnecessary as there is a variety of acting areas, and characters can overhear each other easily. Oliver Fenwick’s lighting and, especially, Mic Pool’s sound – the lapping of the Nile against the boat together with gunshots and bird noises – aid the creation of atmosphere.
As we were walking to Brighton Station after the play, my partner and I were trying to think of a reason not to award this show five stars: we couldn’t! If you need a supremely relaxing evening at the theatre, this will do very well: the ‘full house’ Tuesday night audience at Brighton thought so, giving it enthusiastic applause and cheers at the curtain call. Highly recommended!
Review by John Groves
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?
Mark Hadfield – Hercule Poirot
Glynis Barber – Salome Otterbourne
Bob Barrett – Colonel Race
Camilla Anvar – Rosalie Otterbourne
Libby Alexandra-Cooper – Linnet Ridgeway
Howard Gossington – Atticus Praed
Esme Hough – Jacqueline de Bellefort
Helen Katamba – Annabella Pennington
Nye Occomore – Simon Doyle
Nicholas Prasad – Ramses Praed
Terence Wilton – Septimus Troy
David Boyle, Max Dinnen, Nadia Shah – Ensemble
Written by Agatha Christie
Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig
Director – Lucy Bailey
Designer – Mike Britton
Lighting Designer – Oliver Fenwick
Sound Design – Mic Pool
Movement Director – Liam Steel
Casting Director – Helena Palmer
Associate Director – Lucy Waterhouse
Fight Director – Phillip D’Orleans
Dialect Coach – Edda Sharpe
DEATH ON THE NILE
Theatre Royal Brighton, 31 March to 4 April 2026
Tour continues to 23 May 2026
Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile Touring Show Dates
