Murder on the Orient Express was brought to an enthusiastic audience on Saturday November 29 at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. The evening kicked off with cocktails and the audience were led to their tables at which point our attention was directed to a clue pack placed on the dinner table.

Using the clues given while also following the performance we were meant to figure out who committed the murder on the Orient Express. Most of the audience dressed in the spirit of the evening which gave a lot of glamour to the evening while also allowing those gathered to really get into the spirit of things.

The drama started off with an introduction to the cast that of Henry Wallace (Paul Falzon) and his sister Caroline (Ateeqah Mazlan) as well as Wallace’s secretary, Veronica Layton (Cordelia Fernandez Lee). The others on the train were Lola Montez (Maureen McConnell), the cheeky Frederick Finlay (Tim Garner) and the husband and wife duo of Ronald and Sarah Fleming (Barry Woolhead and Stefanie Forrest).

We were served a delectable sit down dinner while the drama unveiled. In all honesty if not for the rest at my table, I wouldn’t have been able to follow the dialogue between the actors as the acoustics were not great. The wooden floors and the high ceiling of the Empire Ballroom didn’t allow the sound to carry well through the audience. This was a shame as the setting was beautiful and perfect for play which was set in the 1920’s.

But the clue pack and the occasional conversation with the characters who visited the tables gave us clues as to who may have committed the murder of Ronald Fleming. Fleming was in fact murdered by his wife Sarah using strychnine. Sarah apart from being unhappy in her marriage to Ronald, was ill and therefore in and out of hospital, thus having access to varying drugs. Her motive to killing Ronald was simple, she was ill, she had nothing to lose while his indiscretions made it far easier for her to commit the murder.

A number of prizes were distributed at the end of the play of which prizes were awarded to the table who was able to solve the murder mystery.

Comments from the audience:

The event was well organised, everyone got into the 1920's theme with enthusiasm. The service, food and decor was excellent. I think the acoustics were not up to the mark and maybe there could have been better participation if what the actors were saying was clear. - Krys Sosa

It was a unique and enjoyable experience. It is always nice to experience something like this which was a mix of performance art and socialising. - Raji 

By Natasha Fernandopulle