Review: ‘Peril in the Alps’ delivers mystery and humour at Chemainus Theatre
Published 11:24 am Tuesday, September 29, 2026
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If you’re looking for a light, fun evening this fall look no further than the Chemainus Theatre and their new production Peril in the Alps.
Based on murder mystery maven Agatha Christie’s Poirot Investigates, the script by Steven Dietz provides a tale with twists and turns, an iconic detective and enough laughter to make one wonder how the time went by so fast when the house lights come up for intermission, then again at the end of the show.
The lighthearted touch of director Mark DuMez is on display as Christie’s famous Hercule Poirot takes on the case of kidnapping, murder and revenge, keeping the pace moving and the mood fun throughout. With a spare, but clever set by designer Brian Ball and minimal but effective props DuMez takes the action from a millener’s shop in London to the Swiss Alps with great success and repeated winks to the audience that invite them in and encourage them to chuckle.
There’s an infectious exuberance to the production that’s just a lot of fun.
Ian Farthing is wonderful as oddball Poirot, and paired perfectly with Ming Hudson as sidekick and narrator Captain Hastings.
Farthing hits just the right notes of being smarter than everyone else and always a few steps ahead, while not veering into too much condescension for the audience to like him.
Hudson as everyman Hastings brings viewers right in, talking directly to the audience with just the right amount of earnestness and wry humour.
The rest of the cast, made up of Kaitlyn Olfert, Connor Riopel, Andy Marie and Dustin Freeland, take on multiple roles to great comedic effect.
Olfert, in particular, as twins, among other things, is a standout. Her physicality and brimming energy jump out, and every bit character gets a new face under her expert touch.
Connor Riopel’s clueless policeman is also a hilarious addition.
In truth the entire cast is excellent and all have moments to shine.
With so many serious and depressing things going on in the world right now, Peril in the Alps provides a wonderful escape into a different world for a few hours, an antidote to our unsettling times.
This one is only on stage until Oct. 25, so get your tickets fast. Opening night had a packed audience.