Years may pass and tastes may change, but Agatha Christie remains as fashionable as ever.
A polished performance that delivers a memorable classic crime tale
Christie’s ability to weave a story through an intricate cast of characters has meant that her legacy has remained as strong as ever. With Witness for the Prosecution and The Mousetrap both firmly at home in London’s West End, it’s clear that audiences can’t get enough of classic British murder mysteries.
With a brand new adaptation by Rachel Wagstaff, The Mirror Crack’d combines classic Christie storytelling with an exceptional cast to deliver an atmospheric gem of a show.
Susie Blake is a sublime Miss Marple and could very well have popped out of a Sunday afternoon TV adaptation – it’s a rare ‘role she was born to play’. An engaging Oliver Boot as Chief Inspector Craddock and Joe McFadden as Jason Rudd were part of a strong ensemble alongside several other highlights – of particular note was Chrystine Symone offering an emotionally charged support as Lola Brewster whilst Veronica Roberts is particularly enjoyable as Dolly Bantry.
Another star of the show is Sophie Ward, who takes on the role of the faded actress, Marina Gregg. Though Gregg is a classic Christie character - Ward’s performance is no cliché, and gives Gregg a genuine intrigue that will leave you guessing her true motive till the very end.
Director, Philip Franks, uses the story’s twists and turns to transport the audience back to the night of the party with some clever staging that keeps the build-up from dragging. There’s smart staging from designer, Adrian Linford, and the glass hallway structure helps blend the scenes and action together with a deft touch.
Understandably, for a Tuesday night in Eastbourne, this is a conservative production. But given the nature of this production, playing it with a straight bat seems very understandable.
The Mirror Crack’d is a polished performance that delivers a memorable classic crime tale. The twists and surprises comes from the plot, rather than the production, but you’ll enjoy an engrossing evening with this excellent production.
