Verfasst: 29.11.2007, 20:06
Spies, Scandals And Schoolgirls As Poirot Puts The Cat Among The Pigeons
Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:12:00
Cat Among The Pigeons sees Poirot face one of his toughest cases yet – one which encompasses international espionage, a middle-Eastern revolution and a missing princess – as well as a huge line-up of characters who all seem to have secrets they could be willing to kill to protect.
David Suchet returns as Poirot in this second of four new films, Cat Among The Pigeons, adapted for television by writer and actor Mark Gatiss, the acclaimed author of the Lucifer Box novels, and member of The League of Gentlemen.
Cat Among The Pigeons sees Poirot face one of his toughest cases yet – one which encompasses international espionage, a middle-Eastern revolution and a missing princess – as well as a huge line-up of characters who all seem to have secrets they could be willing to kill to protect.
When the middle-Eastern country of Ramat is over-run by anti-monarchist revolutionaries, the surviving heir to the throne is spirited away to safety in a small girls’ school, Meadowbank, which is run by the progressive Miss Bulstrode (Harriet Walter, Atonement).
However, when the bullying games mistress Miss Springer (Elizabeth Berrington, The Deal) is found stabbed through the chest with a javelin, it appears that Meadowbank may not be the haven it promised to be.
As Poirot assists Inspector Keslsey (Anton Lesser, Miss Potter) they begin to find that some of the staff may not be quite what they appear, a situation which is compounded when another teacher, Madame Blanche (Miranda Raison, Spooks), is found dead and Princess Shaista (Amara Karan, St Trinian’s) is kidnapped from the school.
With the princess’ life in peril, and the prized rubies of Ramat missing, it is up to Poirot to discover who is the Cat Among The Pigeons.
Cat Among The Pigeons also stars Natasha Little (This Life), Susan Woolridge (The Jewel in The Crown), Carol Macready (The Darling Buds of May), Claire Skinner (Outnumbered), Adam Croasdell (The Chase), Lois Edmett, Katie Leung (Harry Potter), Pippa Haywood (Green Wing) and Jo Woodcock (Torn, Marple).
Suchet last appeared as the Belgian sleuth in four films in 2006, the first of which, The Mystery of The Blue Train, attracted ratings which peaked at 8 million.
Damien Timmer says: "Mark Gatiss is a one man phenomenon - one of the most gifted and sought after writers working today. It's a huge coup to persuade him to adapt one of Agatha Christie's best loved Poirot novels, and he's come up with something very special - modern and bold and yet quintessentially Poirot."
On agreeing to adapt Cat Among The Pigeons Mark Gatiss said: "I've always loved Agatha Christie and read the books religiously when I was younger. When I was asked if I might consider adapting one, it was like pushing on an open door! It's been a sheer delight and I know that, in David's exceptional Poirot, my scri pt is in the very best hands"
On these new adaptations Phil Clymer, from Chorion ltd said: "We are thrilled that ITV are continuing to show support and enthusiasm for the world's most famous detective. We share an ambition with David Suchet that the entire Poirot library will be filmed in the next few years, and that ITV will continue to be our partners in crime."
And Corinne Hollingsworth, ITV’s Head of Continuing Drama added “Poirot is one of ITV's most popular titles, and we're absolutely thrilled to be able to commission four more exciting films, featuring, once again, the incomparable David Suchet as Hercule Poirot."
Cat Among The Pigeons is directed by James Kent (Elizabeth David: A Life In Recipes, The Genius of Mozart) and the series producer is Karen Thrussell (Agatha Christie’s Marple).
The Poirot stories are co-produced by ITV Productions and Agatha Christie Ltd, a Chorion company, and US network WGBH. Michele Buck and Damien Timmer, of Mammoth Films, Phil Clymer of Chorion, and Rebecca Eaton of WGBH, are executive producers of Poirot, with David Suchet as associate producer. Granada International hold international distribution rights.
Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:12:00
Cat Among The Pigeons sees Poirot face one of his toughest cases yet – one which encompasses international espionage, a middle-Eastern revolution and a missing princess – as well as a huge line-up of characters who all seem to have secrets they could be willing to kill to protect.
David Suchet returns as Poirot in this second of four new films, Cat Among The Pigeons, adapted for television by writer and actor Mark Gatiss, the acclaimed author of the Lucifer Box novels, and member of The League of Gentlemen.
Cat Among The Pigeons sees Poirot face one of his toughest cases yet – one which encompasses international espionage, a middle-Eastern revolution and a missing princess – as well as a huge line-up of characters who all seem to have secrets they could be willing to kill to protect.
When the middle-Eastern country of Ramat is over-run by anti-monarchist revolutionaries, the surviving heir to the throne is spirited away to safety in a small girls’ school, Meadowbank, which is run by the progressive Miss Bulstrode (Harriet Walter, Atonement).
However, when the bullying games mistress Miss Springer (Elizabeth Berrington, The Deal) is found stabbed through the chest with a javelin, it appears that Meadowbank may not be the haven it promised to be.
As Poirot assists Inspector Keslsey (Anton Lesser, Miss Potter) they begin to find that some of the staff may not be quite what they appear, a situation which is compounded when another teacher, Madame Blanche (Miranda Raison, Spooks), is found dead and Princess Shaista (Amara Karan, St Trinian’s) is kidnapped from the school.
With the princess’ life in peril, and the prized rubies of Ramat missing, it is up to Poirot to discover who is the Cat Among The Pigeons.
Cat Among The Pigeons also stars Natasha Little (This Life), Susan Woolridge (The Jewel in The Crown), Carol Macready (The Darling Buds of May), Claire Skinner (Outnumbered), Adam Croasdell (The Chase), Lois Edmett, Katie Leung (Harry Potter), Pippa Haywood (Green Wing) and Jo Woodcock (Torn, Marple).
Suchet last appeared as the Belgian sleuth in four films in 2006, the first of which, The Mystery of The Blue Train, attracted ratings which peaked at 8 million.
Damien Timmer says: "Mark Gatiss is a one man phenomenon - one of the most gifted and sought after writers working today. It's a huge coup to persuade him to adapt one of Agatha Christie's best loved Poirot novels, and he's come up with something very special - modern and bold and yet quintessentially Poirot."
On agreeing to adapt Cat Among The Pigeons Mark Gatiss said: "I've always loved Agatha Christie and read the books religiously when I was younger. When I was asked if I might consider adapting one, it was like pushing on an open door! It's been a sheer delight and I know that, in David's exceptional Poirot, my scri pt is in the very best hands"
On these new adaptations Phil Clymer, from Chorion ltd said: "We are thrilled that ITV are continuing to show support and enthusiasm for the world's most famous detective. We share an ambition with David Suchet that the entire Poirot library will be filmed in the next few years, and that ITV will continue to be our partners in crime."
And Corinne Hollingsworth, ITV’s Head of Continuing Drama added “Poirot is one of ITV's most popular titles, and we're absolutely thrilled to be able to commission four more exciting films, featuring, once again, the incomparable David Suchet as Hercule Poirot."
Cat Among The Pigeons is directed by James Kent (Elizabeth David: A Life In Recipes, The Genius of Mozart) and the series producer is Karen Thrussell (Agatha Christie’s Marple).
The Poirot stories are co-produced by ITV Productions and Agatha Christie Ltd, a Chorion company, and US network WGBH. Michele Buck and Damien Timmer, of Mammoth Films, Phil Clymer of Chorion, and Rebecca Eaton of WGBH, are executive producers of Poirot, with David Suchet as associate producer. Granada International hold international distribution rights.
