Torre Abbey is hosting a unique exhibition looking at costume design in Agatha Christie films.

Launched to coincide with the recent International Agatha Christie Festival, the exhibition features costumes worn by Bette Davis and Angela Lansbury in Death on the Nile (1978), Maggie Smith in Evil Under the Sun (1982), Emily Blunt in Death on the Nile (2004) and Judi Dench in Murder on the Orient Express (2017).

As well as featuring the original costumes, the exhibition offers a fascinating insight into the role of costume designers in bringing a story to life.

Detailed interpretation will look at the story behind the costumes and what the designers were trying to convey, as well as lots of behind-the-scenes tips and trivia. It will prove fascinating to Christie fans, film lovers and those with an interest in period styles and fashions.

To complement the exhibition, students from South Devon College were tasked with designing their own costumes, inspired by the life and works of Christie.

As a writer with a career that spans the 1920’s right up until the 1970’s, there was a wealth of choice for fashion students to draw inspiration from.

The Abbey is also home to the internationally-renowned Agatha Christie Potent Plants Garden, which featured plants from her novels, some of which may kill and others that may cure.

The beautiful yet sinister plants include the likes of cyanide, morphine and ricin, as well as a horticultural whodunnit to solve. The Abbey also features on the Agatha Christie Mile and a brand-new trail leaflet has been created by the English Riviera BID Company, which you can pick up from the Torquay Tourist Information Centre or the front desk at Torre Abbey.

Cllr Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture for Torbay Council, said; “I encourage everyone to go and see this wonderful exhibition, featuring original costumes and also some stunning creations from students at South Devon College.

“It’s amazing to see these costumes from such iconic productions first hand and to learn about their background and design.”  

The exhibition is open daily from 10am till 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday until Sunday 20 November. Entrance is included in your admission ticket/1196 Club Membership. Visit Torre Abbey for more information.