THE LAST CONFESSION, Starring David Suchet, Richard O'Callaghan, Kicks Off World Tour Today in Toronto

The Last Confession, the acclaimed mystery thriller by Roger Crane set in the Vatican, begins its world tour in Toronto tonight, April 19, 2014 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, before touring to Los Angeles, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, Australia.

David Suchet, who's famously played Agatha Christie's Poirot on the long-running TV series broadcast around the world, stars as crusading Cardinal Giovanni Benelli who investigates the suddenly and mysterious death of John Paul I after only 33 days in office. Eminent British actor Richard O'Callaghan stars as Pope John Paul I.

The Last Confession comes to Toronto following sold out runs at the Chichester Festival Theatre and the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London.

The Last Confession delves into the most highly guarded institution in the world to explore the mystery shrouding the sudden death of Pope John Paul I in 1978.

Found dead just 33 days after being elected, suspicions were aroused when it was revealed that, on the evening before his death, the new Pope had warned three of his most influential but hostile Cardinals that they would be replaced. The Vatican refused to conduct an official investigation into the death. Cardinal Benelli was the only one to challenge the dead Pope's enemies and to launch his own investigation.

A Chichester Festival production, The Last Confession is directed by Chichester Festival artistic director Jonathan Church, with set designed by William Dudley, lighting by Peter Mumford, and costumes by Fotini Dimou. Music is composed by Dominic Muldowney, with sound design by Chris Cronin.

The cast of this truly international production is comprised of actors from the United Kingdom, Canada, The United States and Australia. Starring, in alphabetical order, are: David Bannerman, Nigel Bennett*, Ezra Bix, Pier Carthew, Kevin Colson, Philip Craig*, Donald Douglas, Sheila Ferris, David Ferry*, Mark Hammersley, Peter Harding, Marvin Ishmael*, Roy Lewis*, Bernard Lloyd, Stuart Milligan, John O'May, Sam Parks and George Spartels. *denotes Canadian actors

DAVID SUCHET - Cardinal Benelli - David is an Associate Artist and Governor of the Royal Shakespeare Company. He is best known around the world for his portrayal of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot having starred in all 74 Poirot TV films, which is the whole canon of Agatha Christie's Poirot stories. He is a multi-talented award-winning British actor having worked extensively in theatre, film and television. He has just finished recording the complete Bible - One Voice - One Bible. David has also been featured in many documentaries. David was awarded the CBE in 2011.

RICHARD O'CALLAGHAN - Cardinal Albino Luciani - Richard is pleased to be returning to the cast of The Last Confession and the part of Cardinal Luciani which he originally created. He worked extensively throughout Britain in theatre, film and television.

The Last Confession

The Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. West, Toronto

April 19 - June 1, 2014

Performances: Tue-Sat 8 PM; matinees Wed, Sat & Sun 2 PM

(No performance Sat April 19 at 2 PM)

The running time is 2 hours 15 minutes, including one intermission.

Tickets $35 to $119

Available online at mirvish.com

By phone 416-872-1212 or 1-800-461-3333

In-person at the theatre box office

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