Reviewed by Tony Annicone
So whether you know whodunnit or not just be sure to catch the latest Agatha Christie show, The Hollow by the Renaissance City Theater Company, the producing entity at the Granite Theatre in Westerly, RI. Director John Cillino takes you on a harrowing ride with this mystery in “The Hollow” which is another one of Agatha Christie’s thrillers. It follows an unhappy game of romantic intrigue with one man toying with the hearts and affections of three different women which results in a murder.
It takes place at the home of Sir Henry and Lady Lucy Angkatell where the playboy, Dr. Cristow brings his devoted wife, Gerda, his mistress and a renowned sculptor, Henrietta, and his former mistress, Hollywood actress, Veronica also shows up unexpectedly. Also there are a couple of other guests including Edward who is in love with Henrietta and Midge who is madly in love with Edward but he pays her no time of day because of his introverted manner. They get involved in the mystery surrounding the murder of one of the guests. Throw in a dogged Inspector and his right hand man the Detective Sergeant who are intent in solving the crime, an overprotective butler and a blabbermouth, incompetent maid and you have the ingredients for the mystery as it unfolds. Christie wrote this play back in 1951 and was based on her novel with the same name. John casts these 12 roles beautifully and garners wonderful performances from them. He also supplies many comic moments to liven things up along the way.
The show is full of red herrings and clues the audience must figure out. The many twists and turns keep the audience guessing whodunnit. The gorgeous British mansion set is by David Jepson while the costumes are by Beth Jepson and Paula Brouilette. The owners and hosts of the evening at their home, The Hollow are Geoff Leatham and Molly Marks as Sir Henry and his absent minded wife, Lucy. She supplies the laughs with her wild and crazy lines about a mole trap, a lobster to match the color of a sofa pillow, a box of matches and a basket of eggs with a derringer hidden in it. Geoff is also comical as Sir Henry as he interprets his wife’s wacky behavior to the others. Michael Thurber is very smarmy and unlikeable as Dr. Cristow, this pompous character who thinks he has his three women hoodwinked. But Christie always has a twist to make a woman put a man in his place as the show progresses. One of his funniest lines is that his patient’s must depend on “Faith, hope and laxatives.”
The three women in question are marvelously played by three strong actresses. Veronica Strickland shines as Henrietta, the sculptress who is Cristow’s mistress as she delivers her lines perfectly. She fends off the unwanted affections of her boring cousin, Edward. Michelle Mania who is gorgeous in real life is dowdyed up to play the simpleminded Gerda, the long suffering wife. This is quite a change from her last role as the vivacious Chelsea in “On Golden Pond.” Michelle delivers the goods in spades in this role, too. Last but not least is the beautiful, Claire Leatham, Geoff’s real life wife, as the blonde haired vamp movie star, Veronica Craye who is still in love with Cristow after 10 long years. The gruff Inspector is excellently played by Michael Jepson who commands the stage in these interrogation scenes. His authoritarian voice and manner fit this role splendidly. His interactions with the other cast members and especially his sidekick Sgt. Penny, wonderfully played by Warren Usey with both using a tongue in cheek manner, are marvelous. Michael and Warren’s repartee is dynamite and comical. However I don’t want to spoil the ending of this show, so for a clever Agatha Christie show, be sure to catch “The Hollow” in Westerly, RI for a trip back to the 1950’s to find out whodunnit.
THE HOLLOW (6 to 29 September)
Renaissance City Theatre Company, Granite Theatre, 1 Granite St, Westerly, RI
1(401)596-2341 or www.granitetheatre.com
