A MURDER will take place in Keighley next week – but there’s no need for panic.

Keighley Playhouse is staging an explosive murder mystery penned by the legendary Agatha Christie.

The Hollow sees an unhappy game of romantic follow-my-leader derail into a murderous one at the home of Sir Henry and Lucy Angkatell.

An intimate gathering takes place over a weekend with several guests attending – all with different motives to kill.

Among those present is Dr John Cristow, a callous medical professional who is juggling three women – his devoted wife Gerda, his mistress and prominent sculptor Henrietta and his former lover and Hollywood star Veronica, who are at the heart of the scene.

Cristow has a tendency to rile those he comes into contact with, both men and women, leaving no guest unsuspected when he becomes the victim.

Also visiting that weekend are Edward and Midge, whose romantic involvement can be thrown into the mix.

Then there is the kitchen and house staff.

All become likely suspects when suddenly, in the middle of the soirée, Cristow is shot dead.

Everyone at The Hollow has a motive, some more than others, but only one of them did the deed!

Was it the butler, or maybe the former lover, who had threatened the victim earlier in the day?

Perhaps the wife? The mistress? Jealous Edward? Maybe Lucy isn’t as mad as she first appears? Is Midge as innocent as she seems?

Clues pointing towards the identity of the murderer are dropped in along the way, for those who are paying close attention and eager to solve the mystery.

The Hollow was originally performed at the Fortune Theatre in London in 1951, adapted from the novel of the same title.

The book includes one of the author’s most famous characters, Hercule Poirot, but he was cut from the stage version.

Why is unclear. There were rumours that Agatha Christie’s daughter Rosalind disagreed on the use of the character, and another claim was that Christie had said Poirot ruined the novel.

The Keighley Playhouse performance features several new faces.

The Hollow, directed by Mike Boothroyd, runs from Monday, March 5, until Saturday, March 10, at 7.30pm.

Tickets are on sale now – contact the box office on 07599 890769.