Robert Powell transforms into Poirot for classic Christie whodunnit
One of Britain’s best known character actors will be buttoning up his Belgian spats for a classic murder mystery in York next week.
Robert Powell stars as Hercule Poirot in a new production of crime queen Agatha Christie’s first ever play, Black Coffee.
The diminutive Belgian detective will get his “little grey cells” working from Monday, March 31 at the Grand Opera House.
Robert Powell is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Jesus in Franco Zefferelli’s Jesus of Nazareth. He has starred in numerous film hits including The Thirty-Nine Steps, Four Feathers and Shaka Zulu.
Extensive stage credits include Alan Bennett’s Single Spies, Keith Waterhouse’s Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell and Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Bergerac star Liza Goddard is also in the cast, alongside Gary Mavers, known for playing heart-throb doctor Andrew Attwood in Peak Practice and Ben Neal who was Captain Forsythe in ITV drama Soldier Soldier.
Black Coffee is a essential Christie. An English country estate is thrown into chaos following the murder of eccentric inventor Sir Claud Amory, and the theft of his new earth shattering formula.
Arriving at the estate just moments too late, Hercule Poirot sets about uncovering the family’s secrets.
“I am so pleased that Robert Powell has agreed to play Poirot in the Agatha Christie Theatre Co’s production of Black Coffee starting in January,” said Mathew Prichard, Agatha Christie’s grandson.
“His appearance will be the icing on the cake of a real treat that lies in store for audiences.”
- Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee is at the Grand Opera House from Monday, March 31 to Saturday April 5
- Full details on the Grand Opera House website
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