Express G & S written by John Savournin with lyrics by David Eaton. Charles Court Opera, Wilton’s Music Hall, 1 Grace Alley, London E1 to 18th August 2023.

5*****: William Russell.

This glorious spoof murder mystery by John Savournin takes Agatha Christie’s Poirot, played with devastating style by Matthew Kellett, on one of those train trips the lady favoured on which he meets a wild assortment of characters played by Matthew Silveter, straight of face, and Catrine Kirkman doing all of Gilbert’s Old Maids - as well she might because her main roles is as Bridget the lady who runs the tea trolley on the train which comes to a sorry end. In other words, she laments what has happened to her d’oily cart. When I last saw this 75 minute delight at the Pleasance in North London a few years back the comedy got swallowed up in the cavernous nightclub setting of the venue but it has found in Wilton’s the ideal setting. It is one of Savournin’s best spoofs to start with but there is also the pleasure of finding out how musical director David Eaton has selected the Sullivan songs – his ingenuity is phenomenal - and then what Savournin has done with Gilbert’s words. Sometime the cast perform them straight just to add to the pleasure – and vocally all three were on top form accompanied by Eaton at the piano. Kirkman manifests as one of those old ladies Christie excelled in and her performance of Lady Jane’s In the Passing By and By when nothing will be left is just one of many pleasures.

Cast

Detective Philippe Pierrot – Matthew Kellett

Bridget and others – Catrine Kirkman

Reggie and others – Matthew Silveter

Creatives

Director – John Savournin

Musical Director – David Eaton

Designer – Jessie Huckin

Lighting Design – Rachel E Cleary