MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS to Open Citadel Theatre's 2026/27 Season
Alex Poch-Goldin stars as Hercule Poirot alongside John Ullyatt and Donna Fletcher in the Shoctor Theatre production.
The classic murder mystery, based on the original story by Agatha Christie and adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig, will open the Citadel's 2026/27 Season this September.
Agatha Christie's greatest literary whodunnit comes to the stage. Detective Hercule Poirot has boarded the luxurious Orient Express along with a cabin full of mysterious characters from the beautiful Countess and boastful Mrs. Hubbard to the brash Colonel Arbuthnot and aristocratic Princess Dragomiroff. After a shocking murder in the night, the legendary detective must use his keen eye and attention for detail to gather the evidence and solve the case to catch the murderer in their midst. Along the way he uncovers secrets, clues, motives, and hidden identities in this story of revenge and justice.
The protagonist and famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is “a psychological detective, and indeed Orient Express is a masterful lesson in human behaviour,” says director Kelly Thornton, Artistic Director of the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. Internationally acclaimed playwright Ken Ludwig's adaptation of the famed novel is a co-production with Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, which finished its run in Winnipeg this past February. Citadel audiences may recognize Ludwig from the 2016/17 Season musical, Crazy For You. While some Winnipeg-based cast members are making their Citadel debuts including Donna Fletcher as Helen Hubbard, Citadel audiences may recognize Alex Poch-Goldin (Network) playing Hercule Poirot and John Ullyatt (Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman, Scrooge in A Christmas Carol), playing Constantine Bouc.
The set, designed by Brian Perchaluk, features a breathtaking train car that will transport audiences to the snowy mountains of eastern Europe. Audiences can also look forward to costume designs by Joseph Abetria (Life of Pi) and lighting design by Hugh Conacher, who recently received an award for Outstanding Lighting Design at the 2026 Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Awards.
Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. and plays in the Shoctor Theatre September 19 – October 11, 2026. Tickets are available online at citadeltheatre.com or by calling Box Office at 780.425.1820.
The Pay What You Choose in person night will take place on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Pay What You Choose is presented by Alberta Blue Cross and more information can be found at citadeltheatre.com.
There is one Accessible Performance happening on Saturday, October 10, 2026 (Sensory Informed and Captioned). More information can be found at citadetheatre.com/accessibility.
CAST
- Jill Agopsowicz - Mary Debenham
- Rodrigo Beilfuss - Michel the Conductor, Headwaiter
- Daniel Briere - Colonel Arbuthnot
- Donna Fletcher - Helen Hubbard
- Cynthia Jimenez-Hicks - Countess Andrenyi
- Kristin Johnston - The Nanny
- Tom Keenan - Hector MacQueen
- Ian Leung - Samuel Rachett
- Alex Poch-Goldin - Hercule Poirot
- RobYn Slade - Greta Ohlsson
- Davina Stewart - Princess Dragomiroff
- John Ullyatt - Constantine Bouc
UNDERSTUDIES
- Daniel Briere - Constantine Bouc , Hector MacQueen, Samuel Rachett
- Donna Fletcher - Princess Dragomiroff
- Kristin Johnston - Greta Ohlsson, Countess Andrenyi, Helen Hubbard
- Ian Leung - Hercule Poirot, Michel the Conductor/Headwaiter, Colonel Arbuthnot
- RobYn Slade - Mary Debenham, The Nanny
CREATIVE TEAM
- Kelly Thornton - Director
- Brian Perchaluk - Set Designer*
- Joseph Abetria - Costume Designer
- Hugh Conacher - Lighting Designer*
- Dave Clarke - Sound Designer
- April Viczko - Associate Lighting Designer*
- Jacquie Loewen - Fight Director
- Sharon Bajer - Intimacy Director
- Jane Gooderham - Dialect Coach
- Tom Keenan - Fight Captain
- Donna Fletcher - Intimacy Captain
- Chase Winnicky - Assistant Director (Edmonton)
- Ava Darrach-Gagnon - Assistant Director (Winnipeg)
- Katherine Hochman - Assistant Costume Designer
- Victor Snaith Hernandez - Assistant Lighting Designer
- Katie Hoppa - Stage Manager
- Christine Leroux - Assistant Stage Manager
- Sarah Austin - Apprentice Stage Manager
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Annie The Citadel Theatre (1/30-3/07) |
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Chula Citadel Theatre (4/17-5/09) |
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Kaleido Family Arts Festival Multiple Venues from 90–95 Street on 118 Avenue (9/18-9/20) |
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Broadway Across Canada Presents Mrs. Doubtfire Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (1/12-1/17) |
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Murder On The Orient Express The Citadel Theatre (9/19-10/11) |
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Broadway Across Canada Presents Hamilton Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (6/29-7/04) |
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Broadway Across Canada Presents: & Juliet Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (9/22-9/27) |
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Sense and Sensibility The Citadel Theatre (2/20-3/14) |
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Broadway Across Canada Presents SIX Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (5/04-5/09) |
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Come From Away The Citadel Theatre (5/08-6/13) |