Having been a fan of immersive experiences since my early days of living in London, along the likes of Secret Cinema and Punchdrunk, I was excited to attend The Murdér Express by Funicular Productions that recently re-opened at Pedley Street on 2nd October 2020 – my first theatre and dining experience, and judging from the sneak previews, I was certain that it was going to be a fun evening.
Since re-opening, they have implemented some additional safety regulations to ensure that social distancing and Covid safety measures are adhered to – we received a quick video link to brief us on this prior to our visit.
As we walked through the doors of Pedley Street Station, facemasks in place, we were transported back to the early 20th century, a time when travelling by train for pleasure was still in its infancy. Our First Class tickets with allocated table numbers were issued to us at the entrance by a jolly gentleman who also took our temperatures with a non-contact infrared thermometer. After being given the green light to enter, we proceeded on to the Seven Sins platform bar, where we had the opportunity to wet our whistles before we embarked on our expedition. All drinks orders are now made using the Ordering and Payment Platform Yoello which we were able to access on our phones by scanning a QR code, and only table service is now provided, in line with Government guidelines. Some members of the cast, Tilly and Frank, made a brief appearance during this time and casually mingled with the crowd.
When it was time to board, we were swiftly ushered to our allocated tables, each table now separated by transparent protective screens. The windows of the carriage were lined with virtual screens with moving animations that gave the impression of a moving train. I was secretly hoping that we would eventually hop off the train and land in France, but alas, one can only dream.
Throughout the rest of the evening, we were entertained by an enthusiastic cast whilst our taste buds were tantalised with a specially curated 4-course menu by MasterChef 2017 finalist Louisa Ellis. We started with a warming amuse bouche of celeriac & truffle soup, followed by a vibrant starter of beetroot tartare with apple and walnuts, topped with cultured cream and sorrel. Our main was a hearty portion of braised blade of beef with a rich red wine gravy, accompanied by a potato rosti and braised lettuce. A vegan option is also available which can be requested in advance. Finally, dessert was a luscious buttermilk panna cotta with raspberry, puffed wild rice, and sherbet.
Service was smooth and the actors and actresses gave a brilliant performance – I won’t give out any spoilers on the acts and final outcome of the story, but you can rest assured that you will be entertained!
But before we end, here’s a question for you to ponder over:
“How does one go 99 days without sleep?”
Well, you’ll have to drop into Pedley Street Station to find out for yourself…
Their current show will be running until 31st January 2021 so there’s still plenty of time to get involved – check out the Funicular Productions website for more information.
- My experience was complimentary – views and photos are my own.