Book Club

Christie's Plays

Agatha Christie wrote over a dozen plays, the most famous of which is The Mousetrap - the longest running play in the world. Here you can discuss each play in detail.

Warning: These discussions may contain spoilers!

Poirot plays

Tommy_A_Jones 20 Mar 09 at 4:22 p.m. GMT

I can't find what the name of the section is but somewhere on the site it states that in 4 Plays based on Poirot books Poirot is Ommitted What are the plays? I think 1 is Death On The Nile as I think I remember seeing an Am Dram version where the Sleuth is a Vicar.

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9 replies

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GKCfan 20 Mar 09 at 5:35 p.m. GMT

Christie deleted Poirot from her own stage adaptations of The Hollow (The police are the detectives), Death on the Nile (Archdeacon Pennyfather becomes the detective, and the title is Murder on the Nile, or alternatively, Hidden Horizon), Five Little Pigs (retitled Go Back For Murder, with a different private detective as sleuth and love interest for the heroine), and Appointment With Death (Sarah King does most of the sleuthing).  Also, when someone else adapted Cards on the Table for the stage, Poirot was similarly replaced.

Tommy_A_Jones 21 Mar 09 at 12:56 p.m. GMT

Thankyou GKCfan, I couldn't go to a production of 'Cards On The Table' when it was on near me but read that of the for sleuths only Battle and Ariadne appeared wehich I had forgotten, I will be starting Appointment With Death this weekend.

Tommy_A_Jones 25 Oct 09 at 3:26 p.m. GMT

Does anyone know who played Ariadne Oliver and Supt Battle in the Production that Toured Britain in the 90s? or does anyone know how I can find out, I thought the Collection I bought would have it but it doesn't, so if anyone could tell me how I could get a copy I would be grateful

Puffinjill 26 Oct 09 at 2:50 p.m. GMT

Is this the production you nearly went to see? If it is, and can remember which theatre it was appearing at, you could contact the theatre and ask if they can help. They must keep records of previous productions going right back. Perhaps you could email them and see if someone can help. Good luck! 

Tommy_A_Jones 26 Oct 09 at 4:05 p.m. GMT

Thankyou, That is the Production I will try it.

RAlleyn 28 Oct 09 at 11:28 a.m. GMT

I have a strange recollection that it was Margaret Courtney who played Ariadne Oliver, but I have no idea why I think this.

I may be completely wrong.

RAlleyn 28 Oct 09 at 11:29 a.m. GMT

Also Try the theatre Royal Brighton as the first place it was produced. Again I have no idea why I think this but it's kind of a weird bell in the back of my mind.

Tommy_A_Jones 29 Oct 09 at 3:44 p.m. GMT

Thankyou RAlleyn, Margaret Coughtney would have been brilliant, I had to join the Brigton Theatre but then couldn't find where to emailthem, If I get no reply from The Everyman in Cheltenham I might write, I havew a neighbour who works at a Theatre in Bristol so I will ask her how I can find out.

Tommy_A_Jones 31 Oct 09 at 1:16 p.m. GMT

I havew found information that said the play starred Margaret Courtney (As you said RAlleyn and Gordon Jackson, As he is named I assume he played Battle