Last night, Wednesday May 7th, we attended ‘Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee, a Hercule Poirot mystery’ performed by ‘The Mad and Merry Men’ theatre troupe at the Rock Cafe. The performance was a triumph, the venue a disaster.

The Rock Cafe shares its entrance with the Reduta Jazz Club on Národní.

Inside, the bar was lively, although The air in the room was close and oppressive. The room at the back served as a waiting area for the theatre. The girl in the chair checked tickets and stamped wrists.

Despite the cold weather outside, it was stiflingly hot, and the airless atmosphere was beginning to make itself felt.

The doors opened, into a makeshift theatre with the stage set ready.

Random chairs were arranged for the audience. The chairs were of the most uncompromising design — calculated, it seemed, to discourage ease or relaxation.

It was a hot, airless room. I felt the breath catch in my throat. There were air conditioner units, but none were switched on.

The play began and for a short while we were able to forget the heat, the lack of air and the uncomfortable seats.

We really enjoyed the performance – every member of the troupe was excellent.

One felt smothered — stifled — as though the walls were closing in.

After 1.5 hours, there was an intermission. I felt I must get out — get away at once — or I should scream.

The English have a passion for discomfort and do not admit to suffering. Nonetheless, we asked the ticket girl why the air con wasn’t operating. Her reply was that the noise would impact the performance. So, it seems, that the Rock cafe have installed air conditioner units that can never be used. Ridiculous.

We left with the mystery of the Black Coffee unsolved.

It seems the next performance (17th May 2025) will be at Divadlo D21,Záhřebská 21. Hopefully, that theatre will be run properly and the audience can survive until the plays completion.

https://goout.net/en/agatha-christies-black-coffee/szhqctx/

Never visit the Rock Cafe for any theatre performance – not ever!

Agatha Christie fans may have recognised the quotes in italics. The source of each quote is as follows:

The air in the room was close and oppressive.
– Murder in the Mews

It was stiflingly hot, and the airless atmosphere was beginning to make itself felt.
– Death in the Clouds

The chairs were of the most uncompromising design — calculated, it seemed, to discourage ease or relaxation.
– The Hollow

It was a hot, airless room. I felt the breath catch in my throat.
– The Secret Adversary

One felt smothered — stifled — as though the walls were closing in.
– Peril at End House

I felt I must get out — get away at once — or I should scream.
– Peril at End House

The English have a passion for discomfort and do not admit to suffering.
– Death on the Nile