Agatha Christie’s iconic Belgian detective Hercule Poirot has returned to the stage for the first time in more than 40 years and will be coming to Kingston next week, writes Jessica Vincent. 

Black Coffee, Christie’s first stage play, opens at the High Street venue for a week long run on Monday October, 13.

The story follows Detective Poirot on his quest to find out how, why and who murdered eccentric inventor Sir Claud Amory, and stole his earth shattering formula from his quintessential English country estate.

The famous detective will be played by Heartbeat actor Jason Durr, who said he was delighted to have the opportunity to play such a multi-faceted character.

He says: “When you get the opportunity to play a character like Poirot, you take it.”

For most people, Detective Poirot is synonymous with David Suchet’s near-definitive performance in the hit ITV show.

But Durr wants to bring his own interpretation of the detective to the stage.

He says: ”I find the fact that the character of Poirot is well known liberating because it gives me the opportunity to break down pre-conceptions and offer my own interpretation of Christie’s iconic character”.

Durr also comments that, because Black Coffee is different to all other Poirot stories and theatre hasn’t seen this detective character for nearly half a century, this show will be new and interesting for everyone.

Not only this, he promises that Black Coffee will be an evening all about entertainment and an opportunity to follow Poirot in his search for the truth.

Durr says: “If you are both a Poirot and Agatha Christie lover then you will be thoroughly entertained. However, this is Poirot as you’ve never seen him before, and Christie at her very best. ”

Black Coffee, Rose Theatre, Monday, October 13 to Saturday, October 18, various times, £6-£29, call 0208 174 0090 or visit rosetheatrekingston.org