Agatha Christie’s The Hollow at the Ferneham Hall Fareham Review

Reviewed by Amy Adeliyi

I had a lovely evening at Ferneham Hall last night watching Fareham Musical Society’s production of Agatha Christie’s ‘The Hollow’. This was the third production of an Agatha Christie play performed by Fareham Musical Society in as many years.

The story centres on the Garden Room of Sir Henry Angkatell’s house ‘The Hollow’. With various members of the Angkatell family meeting up for a social weekend with their family friends the Cristow’s. The plot centres around Dr Cristow’s extra marital relationships with Henrietta Angkatell and his former love interest, film star Veronica Craye. When Dr Cristow is mysteriously shot in the Garden Room it is the task of the Inspector and Detective to identify the culprit from the family members, wife and staff present at the house.

I particularly enjoyed Marina Voak’s portrayal of Lady Lucy Angkatell, with her often babbling monologues and cutting one-liners. Equally Graeme Clements certainly ensured the audience had a hatred for his character Dr John Cristow with his womanising and arrogant ways. Although an amateur production, with only a few slips with lines and feedback from a microphone the production was smooth and showed the hard work that goes into producing a well known play.

Ferneham Hall is a pleasant building with welcoming, friendly front of house staff. There is plenty of seating around the bar area with tables and chairs to sit with refreshments before the show and during the interval. With the option to pre-order drinks prior to the interval to save queuing. You were also able to take your drinks and snacks into the theatre, although some people did not take their rubbish out with them which is a shame, as it left the theatre looking a little messy on departure from the show.

There was plenty of parking in the car parks directly outside of Ferneham Hall, with the added bonus of no parking charges after 4pm. I have been informed this can get busy for sell out shows so would advise arriving earlier or maybe trying to park in the adjacent multi storey car park.

Overall Ferneham Hall was a lovely welcoming theatre and I look forward to attending future shows here. I would give the production of ‘The Hollow’ by Fareham Musical Society a 4 out of 5 stars and would be interested in watching a musical show from their repertoire.

Rating: 4/5

For other shows at the Ferneham Hall in Fareham visit www.fernehamhall.co.uk or call the box office on 01329 231942.

Ferneham Hall, Osborn Road, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7DB | 01329 231942