Hercule Poirot's famous waxed moustache is long gone as David Suchet shows off his latest role - as a woman.
The actor, who portrayed Agatha Christie's fictional Belgian detective for a quarter of a century, has been pictured for the first time as Lady Bracknell for his forthcoming production of The Importance Of Being Earnest.
He is appearing in the Oscar Wilde play at London's Vaudeville Theatre, opening on July 1 with a cast which also includes Michele Dotrice, most famous for her role as Betty in BBC sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em.
Speaking about his casting as Lady Bracknell last year, Suchet said that after playing "an extraordinary character like Hercule Poirot in wonderful stories for so long, I always knew it would be a challenge to find another character as extraordinary to play. I also wanted comedy. Lady Bracknell is both."
The character has been played by a man before - Brian Bedford took on the role in stage and film versions. Dame Judi Dench also portrayed Lady Bracknell in a 2002 film.
The Importance Of Being Earnest, which is widely regarded as Wilde's masterpiece, was first performed in the West End in 1895.
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