1936: The enigmatic Mr Shaitana hosts an unusual dinner party. His guests include four sleuths - including Hercule Poirot - and four suspected murderers.
After dinner, the guests play bridge, with the sleuths in one room and the suspects in another, where Shaitana watches on. By the end of the game, Shaitana has been fatally stabbed with a weapon from his collection.
From Agatha Christie's 1936 novel dramatised by Michael Bakewell.
Director: Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
Cast[]
- John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot
- Stephanie Cole as Ariadne Oliver
- Donald Sinden as Colonel Race
- Ioan Meredith as Superintendent Battle
- Christopher Godwin as Mr Shaitana
- David Timson as Dr Roberts
- Mary Wimbush as Mrs Lorrimer
- Helen Longworth as Anne Meredith
- Nigel Anthony as Major Despard
- Sarah Paul as Rhoda Dawes
- Marlene Sidaway as Mrs Luxmore & the parlourmaid
- Ewan Bailey as The Butler & the window cleaner
Notes[]
There is an odd error in this production. When Poirot is being introduced to the other detectives, he reminisces with Colonel Race about the events of Death on the Nile, and with Ariadne Oliver about Hallowe'en Party. Neither of these stories has actually happened yet, and to make it weirder, Death on the Nile features dialogue where Poirot and Race refer back to the events of this story.