David Suchet. Poirot and More. A Retrospective.
With David Suchet interviewed by Jane Hutcheon Canberra Theatre. Canberra Theatre Centre. January 20 – 21 2020.
Reviewed by Peter Wilkins
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| David Suchet in David Suchet. Poirot and More A Retrospective Photo by Ash Koek |
For twenty five years, David
Suchet inhabited Agatha Christie’s famous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot on
television sets all around the world. “Do you miss him?” interviewer Jane Hutcheon
asked Suchet in the closing moments of David Suchet. Poirot and More. A
Retrospective. There is a long pause as the esteemed British actor clutches
Poirot’s distinctive cane. Emotion floods the Canberra Theatre where an
entranced audience hangs on every word. “Yes.” Suchet answers with a sigh. For
twenty five years he lived Poirot’s distinct Belgian not French accent, walked
his mincing steps, recreated the detective’s eccentricities from careful
scrutiny of his actor’s dossier on Poirot and solved Agatha Christie’s
intricately woven murder mysteries to the delight of as many as 750 million
viewers world-wide..
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| Jane Hutcheon and David Suchet. Photo by Ash Koek |
But Suchet is much much more than
Poirot, in spite of the fact that it may have been his role as Poirot that drew
audiences to the opening night of his retrospective. In an evening spanning
more than two hours, and guided by the gentle, impeccably researched questioning
by former One Plus One interviewer, Hutcheon, Suchet reveals the actor and his
many and varied characters for stage and
screen. From the eight year old oyster in Alice
Through The Looking Glass at Wellington School to a schoolboy Macbeth, we
find the young Suchet developing his passion for the art of acting. After
rejection upon rejection, he is accepted into the London Academy of Music and
Dramatic Art (LAMDA). His account of his life is laced with wit, humour and
artful anecdote. Suchet is the supreme storyteller, luring us into his
fascinating world of the theatre with accounts of his thirteen years at the
Royal Shakespeare Company and the happy accidents that secured for him the star
dressing room. Every episode of fateful good fortune is told with dramatic
flair, brilliant comic timing and the humility of a great actor. We laugh at
his verbal imagery as he actively describes his role as Tybalt, dressed in
black leather, traipsing down the stage on opening night, only to trip and fall
flat on his face. He affectionately recounts his mother calling out from the
audience “Yes David?” as he utters the words “Mother! Mother!” upon the stage.
The evening is littered with sparkling gems that guide the audience through his
life and his illustrious and varied career, captured on the large projection
screen at the rear of the apron stage. Stages of his career are recalled with
performed extracts of Marc Antony’s “Oh, pardon me thou bleeding piece of earth”
over Julius Caesar’s body or Macbeth’s bemoaning “Tomorrow and tomorrow” at the
news of his wife’s death. From childhood to drama auditions to family stories
to his early career and later fame, theatrical awards and recognition, Suchet
captivates us with his entertaining revelations, his engaging snippets of
performance and his lively enthusiasm.
The passion is palpable and the excitement of a long and laudable career
holds an audience in its thrall.
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| Jane Hutcheon. David Suchet and Hercule Poirot. Photo. Ash Koek |
After interval, Jane Hutcheon
temporarily leaves the stage to Suchet to reveal the secret of his craft. Some
may say that he is an actor of the old school of British acting, passionate
about Shakespeare after his work with legendary academic, teacher and director
John Barton. Already enraptured by his charm and beguiling craft, we are
introduced to the actor’s studio, where voice is a paramount tool of his craft,
the language of Shakespeare the vehicle of communication and conviction and
character the heart of every performance. To see Suchet build the character of
Poirot is to witness a legend of his art in action. Secrets are revealed like
clues from a mystery. Suchet learned from the revered Laurence Olivier how the power of a penny between the posterior
cheeks could inspire Poirot’s mincing walk . And how Poirot’s voice resulted
from Christie’s comment that the detective existed from the neck up. In amazed
wonder we watch the character appear as the secrets of voice and walk and that
precisely coiffured moustache appear before our very eyes.
All too soon the
evening with David Suchet must come to an end and Jane Hutcheon as gentle as
ever brings the night to a close. A man for all parts takes his bow and the
audience rises in spontaneous acclamation. David
Suchet. Poirot and More. A Retrospective is a gift to every aspiring actor
or director, an inspiration to all who live their lives in theatre, and an
absolute joy to every person who delights in David Suchet’s wonderful world of
characters. If you have not seen the Canberra show, be sure to catch it at any
of the national touring dates below. This is an experience not to be missed!
National Tour Dates:
Sydney
Thursday January
23rd. 3pm & 8pm
Concert
Hall – Sydney Opera House
New show added.
Friday 7th. February 8 p.m.
State Theatre
Melbourne
Saturday 25th.
January 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
New show added.
Thursday 13th. February 8 p.m.
Hamer Hall Arts
Centre Melbourne.
Gold Coast
Wednesday 29th
January 8 p.m.
HOTA
Brisbane
FRIDAY 31ST JANUARY 8pm - ON SALE TUESDAY 19TH
NOVEMBER
SATURDAY 1ST
FEBRUARY 2pm & 8pm
QPAC
NEWCASTLE
SATURDAY 8TH
FEBRUARY 8p.M.
CIVIC THEATRE
ADELAIDE
TUESDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 8pm
WEDNESDAY 12TH
FEBRUARY 3pm & 8pm
FESTIVAL THEATRE
- ADELAIDE FESTIVAL CENTRE