Review: Black Coffee at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Whodunnit?

Black Coffee

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Until Saturday 19 July 2014.

Black Coffee was Agatha Christie’s first play, written in 1929 as an opportunity to establish more control over how her Belgian detective Hercule Poirot was being portrayed. Fast forward to 2014 and her play is still a delicious delight full of fun and frolics that keeps the audience guessing until the final scene.

The single set represents the marble floored library of the famous physicist Sir Claud Amory featuring the opulence of the family from its chandelier to latest locks on the doors. Olivia Mace plays an engaging role as Sir Claud’s daughter in law Lucia. At the start of the play she has left the main entertainment in the house and has retired to the library. Liza Goddard has a fabulous time playing Sir Claud’s sister, Miss Caroline, who tries to understand the situation that Lucia finds herself in. The arrival of the naïve niece Barbara, played by Felicity Holbrooke gives Christie a chance to explore the coming of a new age in which the youngsters have a different view on relationships and drinking.

The arrival of Gary Mavers’ Italian stranger Dr Carelli, set up a chance for the post-war Xenophoblia to be exploited as Sir Claud’s secret formula goes missing. As they try to clear that mess out someone is murdered just as Poirot arrives with his trusty side-kick Captain Arthur Hastings OBE. Jason Durr plays the Belgian sleuth with charm and a sense of fun.

The pace of the play reveals enough to keep the interest of the audience alive without any massive jumps of reveal that may be the case in a Sherlock Holmes story. The captivating acting has produced a refreshing take on the murder mystery tale. This was one play that had us guessing until the end.

 Black Coffee appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Mon 14 – Sat 19 July 2014 (Evenings: 7.30pm, Matinees: Thursday 2pm and Saturday 2.30pm). Tickets are from £12.00 (a booking fee of 95p - £1.95 will apply to most tickets) and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Fans of Agatha Christie will be pleased that The Mousetrap returns to the Theatre Royal from Monday 1 - Saturday 6 September 2014.

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo  

UK Tour 

14-19 Jul 2014	Theatre Royal	0844 811 2121
	Newcastle
18-23 Aug 2014	New Victoria Theatre	0844 871 7645
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26-30 Aug 2014	Oxford Playhouse	01865 305 305
	Oxford
1-6 Sep 2014	Wyvern Theatre	01793 524 481
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8-13 Sep 2014	Grand Theatre	01792 475715
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22-27 Sep 2014	Civic Theatre	01325 486555
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6-11 Oct 2014	Churchill Theatre	0844 871 7620
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13-18 Oct 2014	Rose Theatre	08444 821 556
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20-25 Oct 2014	His Majesty's Theatre	01224 641122
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27 Oct-1 Nov 2014	Floral Pavilion	0151 666 0000
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3-8 Nov 2014	Theatre Royal	0844 871 7647
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10-11 Nov 2014	Lyceum Theatre	01270 368 242
	Crewe
17-22 Nov 2014	Opera House	0844 871 3018
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24-29 Nov 2014	Derby Theatre	01332 59 39 39
	Derby