The Hollow
Richardson Theatre Centre
Reviewed by David Ellivloc
My grandmother, Mimi, got me hooked on Agatha Christie novels as a child. While Mimi could always figure out who did it, I was content just to let the mystery unfold and let the detectives do the heavy lifting. Together, we learned that there are certain immutable truths in the murderously mysterious world of Agatha Christie, whether it be on a stage or in a novel. You’re guaranteed at least one murder per weekend house party if it’s at an English country manor and there’s sure to be a surfeit of secrets, and suspects.
Before the guests begin to descend upon the Hollow, both the name of the play and the English manor house where all the action takes place, we meet some of the family in residence. Sir Henry Angkatell KCB and his wife, Lady Lucy Angkatell, are our hosts. Budd Mahan plays Sir Henry with a soft-spoken charm, wry humor, and caring warmth that gives him the gravitas of a knight in bowtie, if not shining armor. You believe Mahan’s happiness to welcome all to his home, including the artist cousin currently in residence, Henrietta Angkatell, played earnestly by Calli Young Windle. Windle’s Henrietta is a conundrum of confidence and compulsion, as she sadly, yet boldly does things that she knows are hurtful to both her and others. Windle speaks with passion as Henrietta, making details of her newest abstract sculpture come vividly to life, while making us disappointed that we never get to see it. Like Mahan’s Sir Henry, Windle’s Henrietta can be caring, especially about Lady Lucy, a delightfully dotty Karen Jordan. Jordan plays Lucy with a briskly confused cheerfulness coupled with great intelligence, making one wonder whether she’s quite as unmoored from the haps as she seems, and earning huge laughs from the audience throughout the show. Mahan and Jordan make Sir and Lady Angkatell’s loving marriage an authentic one, replete with the little looks and private smiles that spring from a long familiarity.
Anthony Magee plays Gudgeon, the longtime family butler, the quiet dignity of the dutifully deferential servant, as he takes considerable pride and even joy from protecting Lady Lucy from the results of her interminable absentmindedness. Magee’s facial expressions and physicality brought a great deal of humor to the role as we saw him struggle to maintain as he fielded numerous odd questions and requests from Lucy and the guests. However, Magee’s frustration is on full display as he tries to mentor young Doris, the novice maid, in the right ways of service. Emily Cole’s Doris proves more a malingerer than malleable, and she makes us giddy with her joy when she can finish a guest’s sherry on the sly, cadge a sweet, or even just put her feet up. Both Magee and Cole also managed the set changes between scenes, adding humor, while in character.
Calista Hoyer plays the poor Angkatell cousin, Midge Harvey, with a full-throated passion as she expresses frank opinions about her Aunt Lucy and defends her independence, won by working as a salesgirl. However, Hoyer is just as convincing with Midge’s weaker side, her inability to truly risk her heart and say, “Marry me!” to her cousin Edward Angkatell, who inherited the Angkatell ancestral home and estate. Edward is played by Logan Gaconnier as a true gentleman, but with a solid sadness as love has disappointed. Sara Austen Muir as Gerda Cristow and her husband, John Cristow M.D., F.R.C.P., played by Gustavo Rodriguez complete the weekend’s invited guests. Muir’s Gerda is profoundly reliant upon her husband’s approval and happiness, and we see her melt as she consistently disappoints him. Rodriguez’s Dr. Cristow is bold yet boorish, rude to both Gudgeon and Gerda, and even cruel to her as they settle in for the weekend. Muir and Rodriguez keep us guessing just how much in or out of love they might be, and if Gerda quite knows all there might be to know. Finally, crashing the first night’s dinner party is the glamorous Hollywood movie star Veronica Craye, who Sara Parisa plays as a manipulative and vindictive vamp who is great fun to watch.
As promised, a body drops by the end of Act One. But who is done in and who did the doing? You’ll be aided in answering the second question by the arrival of Inspector Colqhoun C.I.D., played by K.J. James, and Detective Sergeant Penny, played by Collin Miller. James is an imposing presence garbed all in black looking like the personification of the Mariah come to haul a miscreant away. The chemistry between James and Miller, who gives Penny a working-class manner, is delightfully entertaining. We can tell these two have had a long working relationship and they’re both focused on arresting the perpetrator.
AnneMarie Krupa on Costumes, has all the actors dressed in beautiful period outfits, perfectly tailored to each character’s personality as well as their person. Set Designer Kyle Chinn has created a cozily gorgeous Hollow that makes one jealous of the guests.Director Rachael Lindley has brought to life the mysterious English countryside of the Christie novels that my Mimi and I loved.
Richardson Theatre Centre’s production of The Hollow by Agatha Christie provides all this and more, including lots and lots of laughs! Spend a fun weekend in the English countryside with RTC’s The Hollow, full of strangeness, secrets, and suspects! You’ll be glad you did! Find Ticket information at https://www.richardsontheatrecentre.net/
Accessible seating: Yes
Hearing Devices Available: No
Sensory Friendly Showing: No
Audience Rating: PG, for "body drop" bit
Production Sound Level: Comfortable
Noises and Visuals to Know About: Yes. Gunshots and murder.
See you at the theater!
David Ellivloc
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