Within the first few minutes of Black Coffee, the Agatha Christie drama, the audience watches as one of the characters drops poison into a cup of coffee. All eyes are on the coffee cup as it travels from hand to hand. Who will drink it? Who is it intended for? This is a two-and-a-half-hour play, so is the murderer really being revealed to the audience this early in the production?

Right from the start the audience is locked into the problem-solving, watching each character and movement carefully for clues. Credited as one of the world’s greatest crime writers, Christie was meticulous in constructing her plot puzzles and Black Coffee has all the whodunnit ingredients with accusations, secrets, lies and drama.

As the tale unfolds with suspense and clever twists, Hercule Poirot is brought in to investigate a murder and locate a stolen formula. It was also a significant moment for Christie’s most famous detective: Black Coffee was the first play she wrote, and the first time Monsieur Poirot appeared on stage.

Christie’s stories are famous for their twists and for the way they play with audience expectations, balancing suspense with a touch of wit. Michael Richmond directs the play subtly, allowing the mystery writer’s words and wit to guide the tone without overplaying the comedy. As Richmond explains: “The wittiness is always very subtle, and we’ve tried to keep it that way. I try to bring out each of the characters’ unique traits, without making anything too overtly obvious and giving the game away too early.”

Ross Alexander is captivating as Poirot. He moves at pace, directing the audience’s suspicions towards each of the characters as he interviews them, deduces and reveals clues throughout. Christine Rule is charming as dithering Aunt Caroline, who delightfully drifts off-focus, with her perfect upper-class British accent, while Emma Lebeauf (Lucia) cleverly switches from desperation to indifference.

The supporting cast includes Graham Egan (Sir Claud), Thomas Southwell (Richard), Julian Hall (Dr. Carelli), Annalie Hamilton (Barbara), Nathan Heinrich (Captain Hastings), Sam McAllery (Raynor) , Rodney Stewart (Inspector Japp), Chris Long (Tredwell and Constable Johnson) and Gary Hill (Dr. Graham).  

Jennifer Willison’s set design takes the audience back to 1930, with genuine relics from the past on  stage, including an old gramophone and vintage drinks trolley. The library setting is a richly detailed space, with the design extending to a beautiful country landscape seen only through a painted backdrop behind the French doors. It’s this attention to detail that creates a rich, homely and authentic atmosphere, while Wayne Chee heightens the tension through his lighting, particularly when plunging the stage into complete darkness.

Richmond also points to the changing pace of modern life when discussing what continues to draw audiences to Christie’s work: “I think the appeal is that some of us are truly nostalgic for a simpler time. No media, no smart phones, or television and a slower pace of life. Everyone thinks they can figure out a murderer, and mostly it’s really hard, but we all love to try.”

Throughout the production and again during the interval, audience members can be heard quietly naming the characters to one another, trying to guess who the murderer is and pointing to spaces on the stage where they think the formula is hidden.

For Richmond, the audience’s involvement is an important part of the experience: “I hope they feel the suspense as the tension grows before and after the murder. That they feel like they’re actually part of the dinner party and that Poirot works his magic, so that they too start looking for minute details and following his train of thought, exercise their own little grey cells. Most of all, I hope the audience go away without having guessed the murderer before Monsieur Poirot, and if they did, not to tell their friends.” 

Black Coffee will keep audiences guessing till the end. Those who love a good mystery and enjoy testing their powers of deduction will relish this production.

3.5 stars

Presented by Hunters Hill Theatre Black Coffee is playing at Club Ryde Ex in Ryde, Sydney until 13 September 2026.

For tickets visit Hunters Hill Theatre Book Now