Suchet’s life as Poirot
Pinpointing the definitive Sherlock or Bond is tricky but David Suchet is easily the best Poirot.
The respected British actor is recognisable to millions worldwide as Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s fastidious Belgian private detective with the curled moustache and distinctive walk.
Suchet celebrated 50 years as an actor last year. For the first time, New Zealand fans are given the chance to peek behind the curtain as the actor reveals the man behind the famous characters.
He presents Poirot And More: A Retrospective
at Wellington’s Opera House on February 17, as part of a tour including dates in Christchurch and Auckland.
‘‘Well, it’s good fun, really good fun,’’ said Suchet, who played Poirot for more than 25 years and who came to view the eccentric character fondly.
‘‘I’ve never performed in New Zealand so this is going to be a new stage in my life.’’
Endearing and warm, Suchet is an elegant storyteller. The show covers his childhood, his early days at drama school, family life and his success as Poirot.
‘‘It will be in two halves,’’ he said. ‘‘Leading into early theatre, joining the Royal Shakespeare company and taking you through all of the wonderful characters I have played and, of course, Poirot. The second half I shall perform works by Shakespeare.’’
An Emmy-winning actor, he has also been nominated for multiple Olivier Awards, Baftas and a Tony Award, and is celebrated for his portrayal of roles such as Lady Bracknell, Cardinal Benelli and Freud.
When Poirot ended in 2013, after 74 TV movies, fans mourned and so did Suchet.
New Zealand fans can now discover: ‘‘Who is the man behind the mask of the character that you watched me play?’’
A meticulous method actor, for the role of Poirot, Suchet adopted more than 90 of his mannerisms from Christie’s novels to stay faithful to her vision of the character.
‘‘I read every book that Agatha Christie wrote. The character was on the page. I wanted to portray the character that she had envisaged.’’
A favourite episode is
in which Poirot receives taunting letters from a serial killer who chooses his victims and crime scenes alphabetically.
‘‘It is probably not one of her most famous Poirot stories but if you read that book, you will be amazed at its complexities and dimension,’’ Suchet said. ‘‘It was a great privilege.’’
Filming the popular series was intense. ‘‘We were filming 12 to 15 hours a day and there was so much dialogue ... I had so much dialogue to learn in such a short time.’’
What is his secret to learning lines? ‘‘I would try and learn them at least a week ahead.’’
On holiday here with his wife Sheila Ferriss, Suchet said he’s ‘‘really looking forward’’ to roaming New Zealand’s countryside and telling his story on stage.
Two dogs have died after eating toxic algae from a Wairarapa river.
The deaths occurred after the dogs had been at the Waipoua River and reinforced the importance of monitoring dogs and children at riversides, Greater Wellington Regional Council senior environmental scientist Dr Mark Heath said.
‘‘We are very sorry to hear of this awful tragedy and we feel for the owners. Once dogs sense the musty odour of toxic algae they go straight for it.’’
Toxic algae grows on submerged river stones and has a shiny brown/dark greento-violet coating.
It can also become unstable and detach, floating to the surface forming small brown/black mats at the water’s edge. Hot dry summers present perfect conditions for the algae to grow.
It is also potentially toxic for people. Heath said the regional council had been warning of the presence of the algae in the Waipoua River for the past month, using riverside signage, media, social media and websites to alert the public.
It was impossible to have signage at all points along rivers so dog owners need to learn how to recognise the algae and check the status of the river before heading out with their dogs.
A Greater Wellington Regional Council spokesman said the dogs died in separate incidents and the council was alerted by a veterinarian.
Specific site warnings are current for: Otaki River; Waikanae River; Hutt River; Waingawa River; Ruamahanga River; and Waipoua River. The river conditions will be reassessed on Monday.