Over many years the Genesian Theatre Company has established a good reputation for its productions of Agatha Christie productions which have always been popular with its audiences.
In Christie’s play THE HOLLOW an unhappy game of romantic follow-the-leader explodes into murder one weekend at The Hollow, hence the play’s title, home of Sir Henry and Lucy Angkatel.
Dr Cristow, the Harley Street lothario, is at the centre of the trouble when his wife, mistress and ex mistress all arrive in the stately home.
Also arriving are Edward and Midge whose romantic assertions are likewise thrown in to the mix.
As the list of romantic associations grow so does the list of potential suspects when Dr Cristow is shot dead.
Nearly everyone has a motive but only one of them has done the deed.
The production went over two Acts and was very well directed by Molly Hadden.
The performances are all good. Penny Day and Vincent O’Neill play the couple who host the weekend. O’Neill’s voice projection wasn’t too good at the beginning but soon improved. Penny Day gave one of the performances of the night as the very effusive and comic Lady Lucy Angkatell.
Chad Traupmann is very good in two roles. He plays Dr John Cristow, a Harley Street doctor who is very passionate about his work, especially in finding a cure for Ridgeway’s disease, and is also passion about his romances. Traupmann is also plays very convincing as the mild mannered Inspector Colquhoun.
Emily Smith captures the submissiveness and servitude of Gerda Christow who also has another layer/aspect to her.
Thomas Southwell plays Edward Angkatell, a distant cousin of Henry’s who has taken over the running of the Ainswick estate. Southwell is convincing as the rather meek and timid Edward who is overshadowed by some of the other male characters.
Jess Davis plays Henrietta, a sculptor and a cousin of Sir Henry. She is always very diplomatic, perhaps a little too much at times.
Cariad Welthauer plays lovely Midge, Lucy’s young cousin who works in a dressmaker’s shop, and is kind to everybody.
Alannah Robertson played the beautiful, vivacious actress, Veronica Cray who had a romance with Dr Cristow many years prior and wants him back in her life. She also plays a junior maid Doris.
Natalie Reid played the circumspect Sgt Perry.
Emily Saint Smith was excellent as the full of life, very straightforward and confident Mrs Gudgeon.
Molly Haddon designed the finely detailed set (set build by Tom Fahy) with lighting design by Cian Byrne, sound design by Haddoin
Recommended, Agatha Christie’s 1951 play THE HOLLOW, adapted from her 1945 novel, is playing the Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, Sydney until the 23rd September 2023. Performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sunday matinees at 4.30pm.
Production photography by Craig O’Regan,
