Murder, Mystery and Mayhem on The Murder Express
All aboard! It’s time to board the ‘Murder Express’ and be transported back to the grandeur of the 19th century and immerse yourself in a little murder, mystery and thrills.
Brought to you from Funicular Productions the ‘Murder Express’ is a theatre and dining experience, reminiscent of an Agatha Christie who dunnit type mystery, the only difference is you’re involved!
Once you’ve made your way past the mock up ticket office and onto the platform at Pedley Street Station, you’re transported back in time, to an era where trains were the main form of transport and where you can indulge in a steam train themed cocktail or two from the station’s ‘Seven-Sins Bar’. Cocktails for us were a Loco Motive (an intense raspberry blend with gin and a hint of lemon) and The Conductor (vodka, elderflower, prosecco and a touch of lemon) – they were lush and easily drinkable, but we’d better keep our wits about us if there was going to be a MURDER!
Mingling with us on the platform were not only the other passengers but also the characters from the production including Frank, an East End Costermonger, trying to tempt us with his wares, Tilley, a music hall star, Vera, a widow in search of adventure and Cliff, a local antique dealer.
A few cocktails later, choice words between Frank and Cliff and a little flirting from Tilley and the conductor blows his whistle for us to board the train and begin our fictional journey to the town of Murder in France.
Once on the train we seat ourselves in the elegant dining carriage with its plush seating, period table lamps and atmospheric lighting that set the scene perfectly, add to that a delicious menu designed by BBC One’s MasterChef 2016 finalists, Billy and Jack and we’re ready to begin our journey.
The story unfolds before our eyes as we enjoy three courses of delicious cuisine that consists of spicy mulligatawny soup accompanied by mini Indian spiced open cucumber sandwiches. Butler’s steak, with stuffed and pressed scallop potatoes and savoy cabbage. Followed by apple tart and clotted cream – a foodie’s dream, divine tastes along with perfect presentation – interrupted quite often by a little shouting, canoodling and Murder!
Alas my lips are sealed, apart from to say that it really is a fabulous evening, the food and production are amazing, something slightly different from the norm that’ll have you talking about for days to come. There’s lots of opportunities for the audience to participate, an evening full of fun and laughter, plus maybe a few detective skills – The rest you’ll just have to get yourself along to Pedley Station and find out for yourself, who knows you may meet Hercule Poirot himself!
The Murder Express runs until 23rd September. Tickets start from £53 and are available from www.funicularproductions.com
