A first class theatre production welcomes you aboard this evening in Milton Keynes, when the Agatha Christie classic Murder on the Oreint Express begins a five-day stay in the new city.
The man taking on the iconic detectice Hercule Poirot is a prolific star of stage, tv and film.
Michael Maloney talked Total MK through his work in theatre...
Tell us about your first memory of the theatre
This would be pantomime, starring Arthur Askey, Cliff Richard, and so many beautiful people. I cried when we had to go home!
And the moment when you realised theatre (and the arts in general) was your calling
I was in a production of A Midsummer Nights Dream, and got loads of laughs (I was playing Bottom). It was my ticket out of the joint!
Any dreadful calamities, or funny happenings on stage that you would care to share with us?
I had a terrible press night for Romeo and Juliet in Stratford – there was nothing really that I could do about it. My voice went too, so I had three beers in the interval. The reviews noted me as being ‘flamboyant’ – quite polite of them!
Which stage actor, living or dead, would you most like to meet, and what question would you ask them?
I’d like to meet an actor from Shakespeare’s company. We lost the connection with how they did it when the puritans closed the theatres down. Sad that nothing was passed down.
Do you have any superstitions, or pre-performance routines?
I always have tea, both before the show and also in the interval. I definitely don’t have any beer now!
The best piece of advice given to you when you started in the business
Just keep going. Also, never miss a show. Crack on.
What do you think has been your steepest learning curve over the years?
Nothing beats failure and humiliation, you just have to learn how to recover quickly.
How do you fill your spare time while on tour?
Cooking! Also listening to music – we tend to do something all together once a week, before we’re off again.
Nerves or excitement? Which takes over just before the curtain rises?
Neither to be honest. I see the whole experience as a sport, you just have to get out there and play your game!
How can the future of theatre be safeguarded? What would you do to entice new blood to audiences?
New audiences are already here – I put this down to the many different trends we currently have in the industry. In particular, touring theatre is absolutely massive, we see people of all ages at shows, so long may that continue.
We can let you go without you giving us a few words about Murder on the Orient Express.
Murder on the Orient Express is superb quality escapism. It is brilliantly acted, the design is wonderful and expertly directed, but above all, the story by the greatest of all time herself, Agatha Christie, is one of the most popular due to its excellent plot. She is the greatest storyteller. It’s reassuring, but not predictable, and yet I predict a success!
What's it like playing such an iconic character? And why should people come to see it in Milton Keynes?
It’s a privilege to play Hercule Poirot and an honour to join the ranks of actors who have gone before. Come and see this play in Milton Keynes! It’s a great venue to be entertained in on a winter's night.
Book your tickets here: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/murder-on-the-orient-express/milton-keynes-theatre/
