Overview
Synopsis
Black Coffee may not mark the first stage appearance of the famous fictional detective Hercule Poirot, but it does mark the first original play from the pen of Agatha Christie. In this classic murder mystery, Poirot and Captain Hastings are summoned to the grand house of Sir Claud Armory. The renowned scientist has laid a plan: the break-through atomic formula he has been working on has been stolen and he is determined that the thief will be unveiled. However, before he can discover the truth, he is murdered. In true Agatha Christie style, Poirot is left to solve the case with the ever-faithful Hastings by his side! Could it be the mysterious Italian visitor? Or perhaps the guilt lies with Armory’s new daughter-in-law, who clearly has a secret to hide. Leaving nothing to chance, and with the assistance of Hastings and Inspector Japp, Poirot stages one of his famous dramatic reveal scenes to expose the thief and murderer.
Show Information
- Book
- Agatha Christie
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1930
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Period, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- The library of Sir Claud Armory's house, England, 1930
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher