Drury Lane Theatre - Oakbrook, IL
August - October, 2022
Jess Fisch Director
Andrew Boyce Scenic Designer
Jessica Pabst Costume Designer
Paul Toben Lighting Designer
Mikhail Fiksel & Jeffrey Levin
Co- Composer/Sound Designers
Anthony Churchill Projection Designer
Cassy Schillo Props Designer
Larry Baker Production Stage Manager
David Sajewich Motion Graphics and Animation Lead
Grant Palmer Assistant Projections Designer
Just after midnight, a snowdrift stopped the Orient Express in its tracks. The next morning, an American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed, his door locked from the inside. Isolated with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on famed detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer before they strike again. The play adaptation of Agatha Christie’s famous murder mystery first premiered in 2017.
Murder had two very important tasks for media. The first was to help with storytelling elements, mostly the weather and various clues that were apparent to Poirot, and wanted to be highlighted for the audience. The second was to help stylize the show for modern audiences, connecting them to a long line of adventure thrill-ride books, movies, and television shows. Our version of Murder wanted to be a rollercoaster mix of action, humor, suspense, and heart. To this end, the production team conceived a intro sequence - similar to a James Bond movie - with a short bit of exposition followed by a fun opening sequence that setup the style and gave the audience a few clues to start off with. This sequence can be viewed below.
In order to support both goals, we setup four high definition LED panels in the train that worked as windows. This gave us the ability to create the sense of movement, and help the narrative by indicating weather outside the train. We also used these panels to show clues in detail when Poirot found them. Sort of movie close-up for live theatre. The other element was a stage-wide irising portal that we projected on. The portal had a high-contrast texture that created some challenges, but we managed to work with - and in some cases manipulate the texture a bit to create a really appealing look.
“Anthony Churchill, the projections designer, has created a show all of his own; don’t miss the opening sequence.”
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
“…film noir figures prominently in Drury Lane's production, which unfolds against Anthony Churchill's slick, stylish projections”
Barbara Vitelli, Daily Herald
“Also of note and not to be missed is the opening created by Anthony Churchill the projections designer. It's a show within a show”
Tina St Angelo Wetzel, Broadway World
