(Newswire.net — December 10, 2013) —
Hercule Poirot the famous Belgian detective created by author Agatha Christie is one of the world’s best loved detectives. He was however not always held in such high esteem by his creator who referred to him as a “detestable, bombastic, tiresome, ego-centric little creep”. That may have had something to do with the fact he was extremely popular with the public and her publishers would not allow her to stop writing about him, even when she grew tired of him. When she wrote her first story featuring Poirot in the 1920’s she probably didn’t envisage still writing about him five decades later!
David Suchet the actor synonymous with the eccentric Belgian detective first played him in 1988, despite being advised against it by his older brother John, and in over a quarter of a century has recorded more than 100 hours as the character. In that time David has grown very fond of his alter ego and found that he has more in common with him than he would ever have imagined.
David and Dame Agatha never actually met, but if they had, doubtless her description of him would have been the complete antithesis to that of Poirot. Mr Suchet is never anything less than gallant, charming and humble.
David will be appearing at the Royal Hall Harrogate on Tuesday 10 December at 7:30 pm and will be in conversation with writer Geoffrey Wansell about his many memories of being Poirot, how he developed the character and what he has meant to him personally, as well as to all of his fans around the world. David and Geoffrey will also be taking questions from the audience as part of the event.
Afterwards David will be staying to sign copies of his new book Poirot and Me for anyone who wishes to have a personalised copy. To find out more about his book click here.
Before actually playing the role of Poirot, David read virtually every book Christie had written about him to learn about the character. In the process he put together a profile of his habits and characteristics, 93 in total. He called it his ‘dossier of characteristics’. Here are just a few interesting facts from it.
- Flying makes him feel sick
- He is a man of faith and calls himself “un bon Catholique”
- He drinks Tisane – very hot
- His alcoholic tipple is Sirop de Cassis – a very sticky, sweet blackcurrant drink
- His two boiled eggs for breakfast must be exactly the same size
If you are planning a visit to Harrogate and want to get into the spirit of Agatha Christie and Poirot, why not stay at The Old Swan Hotel made famous when Agatha Christie disappeared in the 1920’s and was then discovered staying at the hotel. Or you could sample a Tisane at Bettys of Harrogate an elegant Café and Tea Rooms established in 1919.