The Hollow
A thriller of passion and betrayal in three acts
2 hours 50 minutes
12
Synopsis
An unhappy game of romantic follow-the-leader explodes into murder one weekend at The Hollow, home of Sir Henry and Lucy Angkatell, arguably Christie’s finest comic grande dame. Dr. Cristow, the Harley Street lothario, is at the center 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.
Play information
Location
The action of the play passes in the garden room of Sir Henry Angkatell’s house, The Hollow, about eighteen miles from London.
Running time
2 hours 50 minutes
Character list
- Number of male characters: 6
- Number of female characters: 6
- Henrietta Angkatell
- Sir Henry Angkatell, K.C.B.
- Lady Angkatell
- Midge Harvey
- Gudgeon
- Edward Angkatell
- Doris
- Gerda Cristow
- John Cristow, M.D., F.R.C.P.
- Veronica Craye
- Inspector Colquhoun, C.I.D.
- Detective Sergeant Penny
More about this play
The Hollow opened at the Fortune Theatre in the West End in 1951, produced by Peter Saunders. Its success led to Christie giving Saunders the script of The Mousetrap.
The Hollow is a ''who's going to get it'' that quickly turns into a ''whodunnit." A genuine crowd pleaser and a worthwhile evening of entertainment.
