In a Downton Abbey meets Sherlock meets Cluedo scenario, the first play “Black Coffee” of legendary writer Agatha Christie has returned with all the classic ingredients of your typical murder mystery. 

The curtain rises on the set of a beautiful 1920’s art deco library which plays host to a gramaphone, men in dinner jackets (swoon) and ladies in pretty dresses (want).  The most glamorous scene of a crime since Kemal Pamuk died in the bed of Lady Mary.

Set in the country home of eccentric inventor Sir Claud Amory the mystery begins when an earth shattering formula goes missing from its safe.  Cue some lethal pills, a blackout, a cup of black coffee and Sir Amory’s untimely murder.Will the arrival of the world famous, moustache twizzling, eyebrow raising and giggle inducing Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot and his hapless sidekick, Hastings shed some light on exactly what occured during that blackout? 

The play throws up all of the usual suspects – a son with a debt problem, his wife who has a sinister secret to hide, an all too eager secretary and a dodgy (but rather attractive) Italian.   Along with his hapless sidekick, Hastings (who catches the eye of Barbara – a modern miss), it’s Poirot’s job to use his “grey matter” to deduce which of Sir Claud’s house guests is his murderer.  

The BAFTA nominated star of The 39 Steps and Franco Zefferelli’s Jesus of Nazareth Robert Powell (swoon) takes the lead as Christie’s infamous Hercule Poirot and delivers a fresh and humorous interpretation of the much loved fictional character.

Who had opportunity?  Who had motive?  Whodunnit? 

I had it worked out by the end of Act 1, but then I’m a bit of a super sleuth if I do say so myself.

*twizzles moustache* *waxes moustache*

Black Coffee will be running until Saturday 22nd February at the Regent Theatre.  Tickets are available online or from the Box Office.