Cave Cinema returns for Agatha Christie Festival 2025

With less than two months to go, excitement is building in Torbay as preparations ramp up for the 2025 Agatha Christie Festival – a much-loved celebration of one of the world’s most famous writers, born and raised right here on the English Riviera.

Running from 14 to 21 September, this year’s festival promises an immersive line-up of theatrical performances, guided walks, murder mystery dinners and, in one particularly unique twist, a series of classic Christie film screenings deep beneath the ground at Kents Cavern.

Known globally as the Queen of Crime, Christie was also a formidable force in theatre. She holds the record for being the only female playwright to have three plays running simultaneously in London’s West End – and for writing the world’s longest-running show, The Mousetrap, which opened in 1952 and is still going strong today.

“She wasn’t just the Queen of Crime, but also Queen of the Stage,” said Creative Director Matt Newbury. “From gripping whodunnits to spine-tingling courtroom dramas, her work keeps audiences on the edge of their seats and we are delighted that theatre remains such a core part of the Festival.”

Christie wrote more than 20 stage plays, many of which continue to be performed across the world. During the festival, audiences can enjoy a variety of live productions in Torbay’s local theatres, with even more performances planned both before and after the main event.

One of the most talked-about highlights is the return of Cave Cinema at Kents Cavern. Following a sold-out run last year, the underground screenings are back for three nights from 15 to 17 September, featuring some of Christie’s best-loved stories:

Monday 15 September
6pm – And Then There Were None (1945)
8.30pm – Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

Tuesday 16 September
6pm – Murder at the Gallop (1963)
8.30pm – The Mirror Crack’d (1980)

Wednesday 17 September
6pm – Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
8.30pm – Death on the Nile (1978)

Kents Cavern holds a special place in Christie’s legacy. She reimagined the prehistoric cave system in her 1924 novel The Man in the Brown Suit, renaming it “Hampsley Cavern” and drawing on its real-life archaeological past. Her father, Frederick Miller, was also closely involved in funding local excavations through the Torbay Natural History Society – an influence that shaped Christie’s love of history and mystery.

With events selling fast, organisers are encouraging fans to book early and start planning their visit to the festival.

“Whether you’re a lifelong Christie fan or just discovering her work, we can’t wait to welcome you to our beautiful little corner of the world,” said Newbury.