The Hollow by Agatha Christie

Where would amateur theatre be without Agatha Christie, the creator of Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot and numerous whodunits? Here we give you the chance to see one of her lesser-known plays without the expense, hassle and cultural trauma of a trip to London.

Set in the timeless Middle-England world beloved of the author, The Hollow is an adaptation by Christie of her 1946 novel, later extensively revised by Hubert Gregg, with the character of Poirot removed and replaced by a Scotland Yard detective, Inspector Colquhoun.

The production opened in Cambridge in 1951 and in London later the same year. The Hollow contains all the usual ingredients of death, deception, presumption, detection, confession and the inevitable twist in the tale, all performed with the style and panache of a time long gone.

Synopsis...

An unhappy game of romantic 'Follow My Leader' explodes into murder one weekend in 1951 at 'The Hollow', home of Sir Henry and Lucy Angkatell, ten miles south of London.

Dr John Cristow is at the centre of the trouble, for at 'The Hollow' are Henrietta, his mistress, Veronica, his ex-mistress, and Gerda, his wife. To further complicate matters, also present is Edward, in love with Henrietta, and Midge, in love with Edward.

Veronica ardently desires to marry John Cristow, but although she succeeds in re-opening their affaire, he refuses to divorce his wife.

The tangled proceedings end in murder. Inspector Colquhoun and Sergeant Penny arrive to unravel the complicated mess...