The Mysterious Affair at Styles was Christie’s first published novel and introduced the world to one of her most beloved characters, Belgian Inspector Hercule Poirot. Employing a hybrid method of theatrical filming in the pandemic, actors will be captured using both cinematic and traditional live performance capture approaches. To enhance the experience early purchasers will electronically receive exclusive “clues” designed for this virtual whodunnit.

Summer 1916. Poirot is residing in the English countryside as a refugee of World War I. His friend, Arthur Hastings, is recuperating from a war wound at nearby Styles Court. When a murder is committed at Styles, Arthur enlists Poirot to help solve the crime.

Cast: Ben Wolfe as Hercule Poirot; Scott Shipman as Arthur Hastings; Toby Minor as John Cavendish; Lara Toner as Mary Cavendish; Sarah Chong Harmer as Cynthia Murdoch; Sarah Fleming Walker as Evelyn Howard; and Ben Bazán as Alfred Inglethorp; Tim Blackwood as Dr. Bauerstein; Robert Deike as Inspector Summerhaye; Joseph Garlock as Lawrence Cavendish; Babs George as Emily Inglethorp; Claire Grasso as Mrs. Raikes; Huck Huckaby as Mr. Wells; Marc Pouhé as Sir Ernest Heavywether; Ken Webster as Inspector Jimmy Japp; and Cyndi Williams as Dorcas.

Directed and adapted by Lara Toner Haddock. Lara previously adapted and directed E.M. Forster’s A Room With a View for production in Austin Playhouse’s 2011-2012 Season. Costumes by Buffy Manners and Diana Huckaby.

The production team also includes Eric Graham as Videographer; Robert S. Fisher as Sound Designer, Mike Toner as Interior Scenic Designer, Sarah Chong Harmer as Production Assistant, and Bernadette Nason as Stage Manager.

This production will be available for online viewing with live Q&As after each performance. Captioning will also be offered.

A radio play “podcast” version of this virtual production will be available in June 2021.