Filmed at Leeds Playhouse, Geoffrey Wansell interviews David Suchet, best known for his 25-year run as television’s Hercule Poirot, but, as the title suggests, for ‘much more’.
On stage in Leeds for the first time in a 55 year career, Suchet seems to have had a lovely time in life and career.
A public schoolboy from a well-off family, there was stagecraft in his bones through his mother and grandmother. Perhaps his stage Lady Bracknell took inspiration from both.
His older brother is journalist John Suchet, who famously advised him not to touch the role of Poirot “with a barge pole.”
As Wansell reminds us, there is much more to Suchet than the “little grey cells.” He is mimic, storyteller, curator, and crafter, and humble with it.
Guiding and prompting him through early career reminisce, we hear about how the budding actor finds his character niche and how he develops as a performer.
A fascinating first half, which is both conversational and comic, becomes a Shakespeare masterclass with exploration of speeches by Oberon, Caliban, and Macbeth.
In this space, he considers how iambic pentameter and alliteration fit into those characterisations and how they translate to stage. He also focuses on mistakes (not “failures”) and how best to serve a writer.
The process of acting as “creative collaboration” with a director (who must “direct, not dictate”) is discussed and is something which really caught my interest as an audience member.
And, of course, Poirot, and how this raised Suchet’s profile for both television and theatre roles, even if some people on Broadway came to see his Salieri because “Poirot was in town”.
Suchet’s show here can be compared with Ian McKellen’s – two very good actors, but as different as chalk and cheese.
As Suchet demonstrates how he created and found Hercule Poirot, from the clothes to the walk and the voice, there is no affectation, no showmanship, no “on”.
Suchet appears to be sharing something of his real self with us in this production, not “putting on a show.” He puts on a character and then sets it aside, with only a change of lighting.
The Original Theatre filmed version of this show has the excellent production values you expect from their work.
Created by Liza McLean with Suchet, it is indicative of craftsman and conspirator, professional and personal. Inspiring and instructive every step of the way.
For theatre students, these shows are valuable, For fans, they allow us to peep behind the curtain and prompt us to see the reality behind performance.
David Suchet: Poirot & More – A Retrospective is available from Original Theatre Online now for members, and to all from 31 May. Details here.
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