After more than a year without rehearsals, performances and camaraderie, members of the Aiken Community Theatre are looking forward to Sept. 10.
“We’re all very excited,” said James Raby, who is directing “Murder On the Orient Express,” which opens the season Friday.
For those who are only familiar with the Agatha Christie classic through the 2017 Kenneth Branagh star-studded film, Raby said they are in for a surprise.
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“There’s a lot of comedy,” he said.
Christie’s original text was in a novel form, not a play. It was first adapted into a film in 1974 starring Albert Finney and Lauren Bacall. The mystery writer was said to have enjoyed it except that she didn’t like Hercule Poirot’s mustache.
According to the website agathachristie.com, “Christie didn’t think that Finney’s moustache was ‘the finest moustache in England,’ as she described it in her work.”
Raby said he’s working to ensure his Poirot has a mustache that Christie would approve of.
The version of “Murder on the Orient Express” that ACT will present is written by playwright Ken Ludwig, known for plays such as “Moon Over Buffalo,” “Be My Baby” and “The Fox on the Fairway.” He’s also written several adaptations of Sherlock Holmes’ mysteries such as “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” and “The Games Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays.”
Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre will present “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” in October.
Raby said Ludwig has streamlined a few of the characters into one. Despite the lighthearted moments, it builds up to a dramatic finish.
The heart of the plot remains true to the original which Christie based on the story of the 1932 kidnapping of 20-month-old son of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh and his wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh.
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“Mystery fans will be satisfied,” he said.
“Murder On the Orient Express” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10-11 and 16-18 and at 2 p.m. Sept. 12 at the theater at 126 Newberry St. S.W. Tickets are $12-$20. For tickets, call (803) 648-1438 or visit aikencommunitytheatre.org.
With the exception of the performers, all people in the theater must wear a mask upon entering the theater through the duration of the play. A commemorative mask is available for $4.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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