Death on the Nile at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh****

Fans of a good whodunit stylishly presented may well agree with a particular little Belgian detective when he says, ‘Shakespeare is not at all bad but he’s no Agatha Christie’!

Hercule Poirot speaks this line in Ken Ludwig’s adaption of Death on the Nile, and while diehard Christie fans may not altogether agree with his changes there is no doubting that this production wins hands down when entertaining the masses.

Hot on the heels of Fiery Angels’ Murder on the Orient Express and its impressive set depicting train carriages, this latest production transports us on a boat up the Nile where all sorts of goings on can be half seen through slatted shutters. Mike Britton’s set is very effective, as is Oliver Fenwick’s lighting, from the opening scene where Poirot is silhouetted against a departing steam train, the only colour coming from his cigar, to the shimmering reflections of the river against the side of the boat. But the sound of lapping water is so faint that at first I didn’t acquaint it with the production but thought there was water dripping somewhere close to me!

Death on the Nile begins in the British Museum where invited guests are admiring a highly valuable sarcophagus which is to be returned to Egypt. Fast forward and said guests, plus the tomb, are together on a boat on the Nile where plots are hatched, emotions run wild, and guns are fired.

And now the stage is set for the performances! Following in the measured footsteps of, for instance, David Suchet, is no mean feat but the accomplished Mark Hadfield’s portrayal is exemplary and took me back to Peter Ustinov’s playing of the role, while the ever-popular Bob Barrett, having survived Murder on the Orient Express, returns to provide charm and cheer as Poirot’s larger than life friend Colonel Race.

Glynis Barber shines as an actress with aspirations, while Terence Wilton adds gravitas as an old school actor still longing to play Hamlet.

Locked in a love triangle and central to the story are Esme Hough, Libby Alexandra-Cooper and Nye Occomore, who each run the gamut of emotions and put in very compelling performances..

Beautifully staged, elegantly dressed, and with some memorable performances, I’m sure Death on the Nile would get Agatha Christie’s approval!

Death on the Nile is at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh until March 28.

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It then continues touring:

Mar 31-Apr 4: Theatre Royal Brighton

Apr 7-11: The Alexandra Birmingham

Apr 14-18: Theatre Royal Nottingham

Apr 21-25: Gaiety Theatre Dublin

Apr 28-May 2: Grand Opera House Belfast

May 5-9: Theatre Royal Norwich

May 12-16: Cambridge Arts Theatre

May 19-23: Theatre Royal Plymouth