Tsurutaro Kataoka & Hiroki Suzuki Co-Starring in Stage Play 'Black Coffee' Rehearsal Press Conference Report Arrives!! "Poirot will be my masterpiece"

"Black Coffee" is Agatha Christie's first stage play, and the only detective drama featuring the famous detective Hercule Poirot in a script written by Christie herself. A rehearsal press conference for this production, co-starring Tsurutaro Kataoka and Hiroki Suzuki, was held on Monday, March 30, 2026. Kataoka and Suzuki were joined by Hironori Arai, Yuki Tamaki, Ema Tenka, Masaki Nakao, Kaname Ouki, and director Minoru Nosaka. The report from the rehearsal press conference has now arrived!

This work is a masterpiece of black mystery, set in a 1930s British mansion, where the death of a renowned scientist and the theft of confidential information are intricately intertwined. At the press conference, the opening scene of Act 3 was revealed. Sir Claude Amory, a scientist who developed a new explosive formula, is murdered after his formula is stolen. Who stole the formula? Who killed Sir Claude? The unraveling of these mysteries begins in Act 3. Characters appear and disappear in quick succession, acting frantically, and suspicious figures emerge.

The meticulously plotted play has an enormous amount of dialogue and requires precisely calculated acting. Kataoka, who plays Poirot, revealed his preparation for the rehearsals: "This time, the rehearsal period was about a month and a half, so I thought I wouldn't make it if I held the script while rehearsing. So, I decided to memorize all the lines before the first day of rehearsal and build the character even if I made mistakes." He continued, "As I worked with the other actors, Poirot gradually descended from heaven, and now I've finally achieved channeling, assimilation, and possession of Poirot. For the Osaka performance (the opening day), I believe I will exist as Poirot, not Tsurutaro or Dhalsim," showing his confidence.

Kataoka approached the role of Poirot with deep emotion. "I thought I wouldn't be able to play Poirot until I was in my 70s. Poirot's profound depth and human complexity cannot be achieved by an actor's skill alone; it requires life experience. Now that I am 71, I am spending a very happy and joyful time, feeling that I have been given the opportunity to project all my life experiences into this role," he reiterated his feelings.

Suzuki, who co-stars with Kataoka, was asked about the atmosphere of the rehearsal room and smiled, saying, "This time, we are trying to do as many full run-throughs as possible. I think that leads to our sense of security. Each run-through brings new discoveries, so all these rehearsals are a valuable asset." He added with conviction, "They say theater is a living thing, and I believe that as we live in it day by day, the story itself evolves, and I think this will be a work that embodies that."

Nosaka, the director, mentioned that he cast actors who "enjoy acting," including Kataoka as Poirot. He said, "There are many difficult lines, to the extent that a single line has triple meanings, but the actors express them effortlessly, so I think it will be truly interesting. I believe the casting perfectly fits each character, so that's also a highlight. Also, they have meticulously crafted even the most casual scenes, so I hope everyone will pay attention to those details. It's a more difficult script than usual Christie works, and we are doing highly challenging things, but I hope the audience will enjoy the rich emotional expressions of each actor rather than focusing on the difficulty."

Comments from the attendees are below.

Hercule Poirot: Tsurutaro Kataoka

This is my first starring role on stage in 35 years. This time, I got the opportunity to play the famous detective Poirot after participating in Mr. Nosaka's play about three years ago. This work commemorates the 50th anniversary of Agatha Christie's death. The actor who played Poirot in the TV series, David Suchet, is a great actor whom I respect. I had been watching him for a long time, so when it was decided that I would appear in this work, I started preparing little by little about two years ago. It is said to be a very difficult play with an enormous amount of dialogue, but I believe it will be a wonderful play with Mr. Nosaka. I think I can only play Poirot and Dhalsim now (laughs), and I'm sure this will be my masterpiece. Please look forward to it.

Arthur Hastings: Hiroki Suzuki

We are currently challenging ourselves together to deliver "the ultimate mystery." This is a work that requires deep understanding and comprehension, and we have delved deeply into it during this rehearsal period. We are working hard to create a work that will allow the audience to enjoy this "ultimate mystery" and leave feeling refreshed at the end. The performance is approaching, but I am renewing my determination and turning that determination into enthusiasm to do my best.

Richard Amory: Hironori Arai

Mr. Kataoka is a very stoic person, and we are currently doing two full run-throughs a day, so the environment is ready for performances at any time. On top of that, having time to prepare for expression is truly a wonderful environment. Agatha Christie's works are rarely made into DVDs. I think it's a luxurious work that you can only see if you make time, buy tickets, and go to the theater. There are various clues scattered throughout, so it's a work you'll want to watch many times, but once this performance period is over, you won't be able to see it, so please make time and enjoy this luxurious entertainment. I hope to express something raw that can only be delivered during that performance.

Dr. Carelli: Yuki Tamaki

Rehearsing now, I am once again feeling how delicate this work is. Even a single glance or the last character of a line can change its meaning. The accumulation of such details leads to the final conclusion, so it changes subtly each time. We actors feel and receive what arises when we stand in Sir Claude's mansion and then output it. It's a very simple work, but it's filled with the stylish atmosphere of that era. Please feel that and enjoy this work we are living in. We will continue to strive. We don't even know what the final product will be, so let's watch until the end together.

Barbara Amory: Ema Tenka

I feel every day that the cast members are wonderful. While being stoic, the rehearsal room is cheerful, and we chat amicably during breaks. It's a really lovely rehearsal room. Agatha Christie's meticulously logical work is full of clues, and I think you'll enjoy finding new "foreshadowing" no matter how many times you watch it. Even as an actress in it, I feel it's a work you'll want to rewatch after seeing the end. I will do my best to create a stage that will impress Agatha Christie novel fans, showing them how actors use the space and create such a wonderful stage.

Edward Rayner: Masaki Nakao

Among various mystery works, I feel this is a classic, foundational work. I am performing while wondering if the culprit is really among us and how this was created. All characters are suspicious, but within that, stories of love and various relationships are depicted, making it a very rich work. I hope you will enjoy the story, suspecting various things and being moved in various places.

Lucia Amory: Kaname Ouki

I am doing full run-throughs every day with the wonderful cast members, and I discover many things. I am rehearsing with a fresh feeling every day, wondering if the audience would be more surprised if I did this. I want to keep challenging myself until the end so that everyone can enjoy it.

Director: Minoru Nosaka

I am spending wonderful time in a cheerful rehearsal room with only pleasant actors. I had considered many things, such as playing a lot of music, but the actors' performances are so good that I declared, "This time, we won't put any music in the play. I want to show everyone your acting," and we have created the work this way. I believe we have created such a dense work, so please enjoy watching it. I think it's a work you definitely won't regret seeing. Please come and see it.

＜Synopsis＞

Scientist Sir Claude Amory is poisoned immediately after announcing to his family that "confidential information has been stolen."

A dark mansion, an empty envelope left behind.

The suspects—everyone.

Poirot and Hastings close in on the truth, but the family's secrets are revealed one after another.