“The Hollow is one of Agatha Christie’s most powerful and arresting plays. At first glance it appears to be a classic country-house mystery, but it’s something far richer: a family ruthlessly clinging to the past, failed relationships and illicit love.“

Lucy Bailey, the director of The Hollow.

Whether you are an Agatha Christie aficionado or new to her work and Hercule Poirot, you will enjoy the production of The Hollow at the Richmond Theatre.

It’s a credit to Peter Polycarpou’s deft performance that I didn’t think once about David Suchet or Peter Ustinov when I watched the show. There was humour, charm and a glint in the detective’s eye – as well as a moral core and a deep sense of justice.

The murder mystery may not be one of the most well-known outings for Poirot, or indeed cleverest I’d argue, but it’s well-structured and well-paced. The locked-room mystery keeps the viewer engaged and guessing. Characters are established and developed. The dialogue is often clipped and pithy. Murder and the truth will out.

Polycarpou is ably supported by an accomplished cast, who are each given an opportunity to shine. Special mention should go to Sarah Moyle, playing Lady Lucy Angkatell, who perhaps garnered the most laughs of the evening. Luke Allen-Gale shows his range as the charming but selfish John Christo, as well as a hapless but endearing Inspector.

The first act ends on a suitable climax. The lady sitting next to me asked who I thought “did it”. I duly gave her my answer. To my surprise – and her slight admiration – I was right. I told her at the end that I had written a few crime novels so I was in the trade so to speak, but really I should have fallen back on the saying that even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

The production is travelling the length and breadth of the country. Do check out thehollowplay.com. Hopefully the show succeeds (crime usually pays) and we will see more of Polycarpou as the Belgian – not French – detective.

Richard Foreman is the author of Raffles: The Complete Innings.