Black Coffee
Agatha Christie, born in Devon, England in 1890 (died in 1976), wrote more than 30 novels which featured the Detective Hurcule Poirot among her vast prolific work. The first play she wrote (among her many) was Black Coffee which featured the incomparable Detective Poirot.
From Bruce Gray, the Director of Black Coffee playing at Theatre 40, "Although I had no recollection whatsoever of the plot, I knew instinctively that Black Coffee could be a great thriller success for our 2010/2011 season. And it is just that.
With a most formidable cast who perform with impeccable British accents. a spectacular set by Jeff Rack, stunning costumes by Joyce B. Ferrer, the story unwinds with humor and mystery taking place in the library of Sir Claud Amory (David Hunt Stafford) outside of London.
Sir Claud is a famous physicist who has developed a formula which is worth a great deal of money. He has summoned Piorot (Tom Dugan, likewise with a flawless French accent) to his home. But before the Detective arrives along with his sidekick Hastings (Nicholas Hoskins), Sir Claud is dead by someone putting poison in his "black coffee." Who could have sneaked the poison into Sir Claud's cup and why? Fortune would have it that that Poirot was called by Sir Claud for now it is his job to find out who murdered Sir Claud. Knowing about the formula, he surmises the most likely reason for the murder is to steal the formula in order to become wealthy. Who wanted money badly enough to murder the man and steal his formula? When Poirot arrives at the home, he finds a number of people involved in Sir Claud's life who are suspect. There are Richard (Corey Rieger), Sir Claud's son and his beautiful wife Lucia (Shelby Kocee) in need of money, Sir Claud's sister (LizAnne Keigley) and daughter Barbara (Katharine McEwan) who also could use some funds in their lives. And then there is Dr. Carelli who came to see Lucia, but why?! What does he know about the formula and its value? As far as suspects go, it doesn't seem likely that "the butler (Don Moss) did it!" Then there is Raynor, Sir Claud's Secretary (Larry Ohlson), and other cast members, Treadwell (John McGuire) and Constable (Tim Astor).
If you enjoy a good mystery and actors who play their roles to perfection, you won't want to miss Black Coffee which I highly recommend. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 PM, Sunday at 2 PM, through August 1, 2010.
Theatre 40
Reuben Cordova Theatre
Beverly Hills High School Campus
241 Moreno Drive
Beverly Hills, CA