Bijou Theatre Celebrates 70 Years with a Special Agatha Christie Season

Guest Blog Post - The Palace Theatre

2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for Bijou Theatre Productions, as the company celebrates not just one, but two significant milestones – 70 years of bringing theatre to local audiences and 20 seasons of staging the timeless works of Agatha Christie.

Firmly rooted in the heart of South Devon, Bijou Theatre Productions has earned a loyal following for its annual Agatha Christie performances. Over the years, audiences have been gripped by expertly staged mysteries such as A Murder is Announced, The Hollow, Unexpected Guest, and Murder on the Nile – each one a thrilling glimpse into the masterful storytelling of the Queen of Crime.

This year, the company turns its attention to Christie’s very first published play, Black Coffee, which opens on Wednesday 11 June and runs every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening until 31 July. Set in a 1930s country house and featuring none other than Hercule Poirot, this classic whodunnit promises an evening of intrigue, red herrings, and sharp-witted dialogue – everything Christie fans have come to love.

Although Agatha Christie is best known for her novels, her theatrical work is just as impressive. In fact, as theatre historian Julius Green describes in Agatha Christie: A Life in Theatre, she remains “the most successful female playwright of all time.” Her passion for drama began early in life, and in her autobiography she fondly recalled, “One of the great joys in life was the local theatre. We were all lovers of the theatre in my family.”

Black Coffee, first performed in 1930, holds a special place in Christie’s career. It was her debut on the London stage and remains the only full-length play to feature her famous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. The production marked the start of an extraordinary theatrical journey, with Christie going on to write more than 20 plays – including, of course, the world’s longest-running play, The Mousetrap.

This year’s production by Bijou Theatre is an amateur performance, presented with permission from Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see one of Christie’s lesser-known works brought to life by a company with a deep appreciation for her writing and a proven track record for delivering compelling, high-quality drama.

Whether you're a long-time Christie enthusiast or just looking for an entertaining evening out during your visit to South Devon, a trip to see Black Coffee is highly recommended. With the charm of local theatre and the timeless pull of a Christie mystery, it's sure to be a highlight of the summer season.

For tickets and further details, keep an eye on The Palace Theatre website: www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk