The See-Through Train: A Semiotic Analysis of Scenography in the Stage Play Murder on the Orient Express

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the semiotics of scenography in the stage play Murder on the Orient Express. Employing a qualitative research approach and textual analysis, the study focuses on the see- through train structure as a central element of storytelling. The findings indicate that the set was designed to replicate a 1930s train carriage, featuring wooden frames, gold-accented Art Deco patterns, and warm- toned lamps. The stage space is open on both sides, allowing audiences to view the performance from multiple perspectives. Semiotic analysis reveals that the see-through train has a denotative meaning, representing the physical setting of the narrative, while its connotative meanings include transparency, truth revelation, the paradox between beauty and violence, and a structural framework that confines the characters. The dual-sided stage space symbolizes multiple perspectives of truth, enabling the audience to act as observers or judges of the characters’ actions. This study underscores the significance of scenographic design in conveying semiotic meanings and enhancing the audience's multi-dimensional viewing experience.