Theatre News

Robert Powell returns to Poirot role in Murder on Air

Salfordian actor is set to play Agatha Christie’s Belgian detective, following his recent turn as the character in ”Black Coffee.”

Robert Powell
Robert Powell
© The Lowry

Salford-born Robert Powell has been cast as Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie’s Murder On Air, which plays at The Lowry for one week next month. (16 – 20 Sept 2014)

Powell, famous for his portrayal of Jesus in Franco Zefferelli’s Jesus of Nazareth, will perform three radio thrillers from the ‘Queen of Crime’ read in an authentic studio setting with live sound effects in the style of their original BBC broadcasts.

The three stories are Butter in a Lordly Dish, The Yellow Iris and Personal Call.

Brought to the stage by Bill Kenwright, in association with The Agatha Christie Company, Murder on Air also stars Liza Goddard.

Powell is no stranger to the role – having already played the Belgium detective during the UK tour of Black Coffee earlier this year – or indeed The Lowry, of which he is an Honorary Patron.

His extensive stage performances include Alan Bennett’s Single Spies, Keith Waterhouse’s Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell and Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. He is also well known for starring alongside Jasper Carrott in the 90s TV sitcom The Detectives, and more recently as Mark Williams in BBC One’s Holby City.