"The Hollow" by Agatha Christie

Your Chance Productions.

Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

An unhappy game of romantic follow-the-leader explodes into murder one weekend at The Hollow, home of Sir Henry and Lucy Angkatell. Dr. Cristow, the Harley Street lothario, is at the centre of the trouble when, assembled in one place, we find his dull but devoted wife Gerda, his mistress and prominent sculptor Henrietta and his former lover and Hollywood film star Veronica. Also visiting are Edward and Midge whose romantic assertions are likewise thrown into the mix. As the list of romantic associations grow so does the list of potential suspects when Cristow is shot dead. Nearly everyone has a motive but only one of them did the deed!

Graham Buchanan as Dr. John Cristow, the victim of Agatha Christie's murder mystery. Dr John is a successful doctor in London and has an ego as big as his bank account. He knows what he wants and he usually gets whatever and whoever he wants, no matter what.

Philippa Buchanan as Gerda Cristow, Dr John's wife. Gerda is the polar opposite to her husband's former love, the exciting Hollywood actress, Veronica Craye. Seen as dowdy, naive, dull and a character who wouldn't say "boo" to a goose, there aren't many in The Hollow who actually like her, maybe because her husband's extra marital excursions are known to them, making her seem weak and slightly ignorant in their eyes. But how weak and ignorant is Gerda when the truth comes out?

James Ash as Sir Henry Angkatell, a retired Statesman who lives at The Hollow. He is the quiet and sensible type who likes to keep himself to himself. He has great respect for Dr John, but wishes that the good Doctor would do the same, as Sir Henry does not like scandal. Is the latest basketful of dirty laundry enough to make the mild-mannered Henry snap?

Samantha Badman as Henrietta Angkatell, Dr John's mistress and a sculptress who lives at The Hollow. Henrietta is one of the few people who actually has time for Gerda, despite the affair with her husband.

Jackie Cooper as Lucy Angkatell. Lucy works hard around The Hollow, tending to the gardens and her chickens, the Lady of the Manor. She cares deeply about family, and Dr John is an outsider whose been causing chaos in the flock. Did she finally lose her temper and decide to remove the fox from the coop?

Martin Weston as Edward Angkatell, the current owner of Lady Angkatell's former home, but hopelessly in love with Henrietta. Henrietta, as we know has eyes for the Doctor, the exact opposite, personality wise, to Edward. What hope could he have of winning Henrietta's heart unless something should 'happen' to his rival?

Hayley Wood as Veronica Craye, Dr John's ex girlfriend, who is in danger of ruining the relationship that Henrietta has with John when she turns up on the steps of The Hollow, attempting to win Dr John back. If she can't have him, does that mean that no one else can? Is that a motive for murder, and if so, will this Hollywood actress risk it all in a crime of passion?

Chantelle Ruston as Midge Harvey, the youngest and most practical and level-headed of the guests at The Hollow. Her heart belongs to Edward but all he does is pine after Henrietta. Could all that practicality and level-headedness go out of the window and turn Midge into a murderer?

Dan Bates as Gudgeon, the Butler at The Hollow. A long time service employee of The Angkatell family who will do anything to make their lives as easy as possible, but would that include murder? Did the Butler do it?

Jeff Tullin as Inspector Colquhoun who is leading the investigation into the demise of the Doctor, along with his sidekick, Detective Sergeant Penny, played by Wil Morgan.

There are some really good performances here, like Samantha almost spiralling out of control as the realisation of her "lover's" death starts to sink in. Graham is always at the top of his game whatever character he plays and Philipa's mousiness just makes you want to give her a hug. Hayley 100% looks the part of a statuesque Hollywood star, in complete contrast to her secondary role as the maid. Jackie's slightly nutty antics provide even more light relief, and there's quite a bit of that as Christie knew how to write a good comedy scene and create comic characters. Wil got laughs with almost every line and action while squirrelling away the sandwiches laid out for the family. Jeff created a really realistic persona for Colquhoun; one where we trusted him from his first entrance. Dan acts as if the Butler had something to hide, which kept me confused throughout, and he has great pace and physicality in this role. All in all a very strong cast who kept everyone guessing right to the very end.

Directed by Jessica McLean, she really makes sure that you get your money's worth with this Christie classic; the production lasts three hours including the interval. 

There are some classy costumes for the cast and I loved the set design, especially with all the various and relevant props.

I love a production where mics are not vital to the production, and the projection from the cast is strong. Cast members like Graham, Dan and Martin seem to naturally have the ability to project to just the right volume. there were mics at the front of the stage to help amplify some of the characters who did not need as much projection or volume.

So, was it Edward, the jealous every-man who wants Henrietta to himself? Or was it Lucy, who cannot for the life of her remember what she was doing with her eggs? Veronica Craye might have done it; after all, that Marilyn Monroe act of hers doesn't exclude fury, as exhibited in one particular scene. Or perhaps it was Midge, the one we least suspect? There's only one way to find out whodunnit!

"The Hollow" is at The Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton only until Wednesday 31 July, so get in there quick!