The Murdér Express: Jewel Of The Empire Review
THE MURDÉR EXPRESS: JEWEL OF THE EMPIRE
A review by Tanya Howard
Funicular Productions are taking everyone back to 1937 in their latest immersive theatre and dining experience. Onboard a luxury train carriage at Pedley Street Station in London, the largest cut diamond is being transported from London to the French town of Murdér. During the journey the jewel disappears from its stand, a murder occurs, and an investigation takes place.
A lone train carriage sits inside Pedley Street Station, outside is done up like a platform, and upon arrival you are given your ticket for the train journey and directed through to the Seven Sins platform bar. They have a great range of drinks and themed cocktails, and you can also pre order drinks to have brought to your table once onboard the train.
The train conductor wandered around the crowd, talking to the guests in an excitable, almost childlike manner as he told us it wouldn’t be much longer until we boarded the train before blowing the whistle calling “All aboard”. Handing our tickets in we were directed to our seats on the eight-table carriage and The Murder Express: Jewel of The Empire truly began.
The show plays out on the carriage, incorporating the audience at times and with cast members occasionally sitting at your tables. The plot is tacky in a great, hilarious and enjoyable way, with an investigator with a fake French accent and a socialite with a secret and a snooty rich lady whose family owned the jewel.
Alongside an entertaining and immersive theatre show you get a four-course meal, the menu designed by MasterChef The Professionals 2018 winner Laurence Henry. The show takes well placed breaks for each dish, and we started with an Amuse Bouche of Cherry Tomato Gazpacho Jelly with an entrée of Asparagus Veloute.
The main dish was Corn Fed Chicken Ballotine, or you could have the vegetarian option of a Terrine of Grilled Summer Vegetables. The full menu is listed on the website, but the highlight of the night was the dessert, a Strawberry and White Chocolate Jewel which was unreal and so delicious.
I would really recommend getting tickets for The Murdér Express as it was a really enjoyable evening. We had a delicious dinner, the acting was great, the storyline was engaging and intriguing as we tried to work out who was the jewel thief and the murderer. We spent a great deal of the evening laughing, everyone was in high spirits and it would definitely be a great night out regardless of being in a large group or just with one friend or partner.
