The Hollow is a 1946 detective novel by Agatha Christie featuring her famous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot.
Invited to a weekend country estate by Lady Angkatell, Poirot arrives to find a grim real-life scene by the pool: a dying doctor, John Christow, lying next to a pool of blood with his distraught wife standing over him holding a gun.
What initially looks like an open-and-shut domestic crime turns into a complex web of romantic entanglements, jealousy, and hidden motives among the weekend guests.
Thornton, transitions from spring to summer with plenty of excitement this year. Several events are scheduled at the Community Centre beginning at the end of May and continuing through June, offering something for everyone to enjoy.
On Friday 29th May the Community centre will host 2 performances by Sarah’s Paper theatre, of the Golden Goose , a light hearted adventure with a happy ending, suitable for all ages. Entry for adults £5 and £2 for children.
A brief respite before the Markfield and Thornton theatre group presents a stage adaptation of the Vicar of Dibley, by Ian Gower and Paul Carpenter based on the original tv series written by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew. Produced by Tiger Aspect Productions. A beloved British comedy; the plot centres around Geraldine Granger, a lively and unconventional vicar who surprises the sleepy village of Dibley by taking over—despite the parish council expecting a male vicar. Much of the comedy stems from Geraldine’s encounters with the eccentric locals and the humorous clash between her progressive views and their traditional ways. The play runs from Wednesday 10th to the 13th June. Tickets £8.
Sunday the 21st June sees the return of the beloved biennial Open Gardens. A number of gardens will be open between 1pm and 6pm. There will be refreshments, stalls and other attractions around the village, a plant sale, and cream teas available at the Community Centre. Admission is by programme, available at various locations around the village. Programme £5. Organised by Friends of St Peter as a fund raiser for the maintenance of the church.
On the following Friday evening, the 26th June, Govannen, one of the UK’s leading folk groups, return to Thornton for another magical evening of Celtic music at its best. There will be a licensed bar provided by McSmith Events. Tickets £20. Raising funds for a new heating system at Thornton Community centre.
The month concludes with the first of what is hoped to become an annual two day artisan festival at the Community centre. The centre is open from midday to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday 27th and the 28th June, The main hall will feature artwork and photography, whilst the sports hall features crafters and makers, and childrens’ crafts. Outdoors there will be food stalls, a bar, and live music. Donations welcome. Raising funds for a new heating system at the Centre.
Sarah is among a handful of paper & toy theatre maker-performers in the UK, a specialist of the craft with a repertoire of handmade shows based on short stories and fairy tales performing at a wide range of UK venues as well as international festivals. https://sarahspapertheatre.co.uk/
Available for paper theatre workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions and talks.
Show 25 minutes. Suitable for aged 8 years +
The evening will also feature a brief introduction to Victorian toy theatre before the show with a Q and A and a look behind the scenes after the show. Theatre style seating in rows, limited to maximum 30 tickets.
The performance date is Friday 30th January 2026 in the Meeting Room in the Community Centre, Thornton
Our next production is fast approaching. From 21st- 24th January 2026 we will be performing three one act plays by David Tristram, one of the UK’s most popular comedy playwrights.
The first play is ‘The Fat Lady Sings in Little Grimley’, in which a rival drama group threatens their survival, forcing them into a chaotic showdown. Then, desperate to boost ticket sales, they mash together every reality-TV craze they can think of – resulting in the disastrous “Little Grimley Presents Strictly Sex Factor (On Ice.)” And finally, they find themselves tangled in suspicion, as their latest production hits dangerously close to home in “Murder in Little Grimley”.
For this production the tables will be arranged in cafe style so feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks. Seating will be limited so if you are interested please ring Anne on 01530 469714 / 07450137182 or order via email a.s.a.p. Tickets are priced at £8.
Please note that occasional coarse language is used.
Thornton Community Centre Comedy Night– 11th October
Four local residents have approached the trustees at the Centre with exciting plans to bring regular comedy nights to Thornton.
The first Comedy Night will be on Saturday 11th October 2025 with four stand up comedians, Philip Simon, James Ellis, Charmian Hughes and Gavin Webster.
Comedy Hotspot only bring the very best comedians to their shows, and our show at Thornton Community Centre is no exception. A line up of varied styles, who are all hilarious in their own right. Add a wonderful audience to that and it only means one thing, a superb night of live comedy. We will run the evening like a professional comedy club, ensuring we have the best possible atmosphere and conditions for live comedy. We cannot wait to welcome you to what is going to be a great Comedy Hotspot Comedy Event.
There will be a licensed bar at the centre. A raffle – prizes include a £60 voucher for the Coach and Horses Inn, Markfield, table for 10 at Bistro Live and a hamper from Everards Beer Hall.
A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the Centre towards the maintenance of the Centre
Unreserved Seating – Late comers will have to sit in the empty seats remaining, irrespective of their location. All audience members will be required to sit in the designated seating area. You are buying a ticket for the show, and not to see a specific act. Refunds are not given because of line up changes.
For more information on the acts please see the links below.
Chester Dreadnought bluffs his way into the crumbling stately home of an impecunious aristocratic family, and even a trigger-happy belted Earl suffering from hallucinations cannot keep at bay the enterprising pair of jewel thieves who are pursuing their loot – not to mention Chester – round the castle. Suits of armour and secret doors, mistaken identities and dotty servants all help to provide the variety of fare that goes to the making of this wild goose chase.
Thornton Community centre has had a huge makeover during the past 3 years with over £98,000 spent on repairs and refurbishment. It is an ideal venue for parties, weddings, group and sporting activities, business meetings and so much more.
The centre consists of two halls, the Main hall has a large stage for theatre performances and live bands, and has commanding views over the National Forest and Thornton reservoir. Just off the main hall there is a small meeting room. Patio doors lead onto a large grassed area with a footpath leading to two childrens’ playgrounds and onwards down to the reservoir where there is a 3.2 mile circular walk. The Sports hall, is connected through a small passageway and boasts a new kitchen and new, unisex toilets. The halls can be hired separately or together. There is a free car park.
More information about the centre can be found on this website under the heading Community Centre and Sports hall or email the administrator Kate – tccbookings@yahoo.com
Thornton 