The Mirror Crack'd

The Mirror Crack’d seems to be a very popular choice of play for societies at the moment and Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society clearly showed why, taking this new adaptation by Rachel Wagstaff and filling it with Drama, Suspense and great overall performances by a cast full of new and some familiar faces in the group.

Co-Directors Lee Bowles and Gregan Davis used the available space in the Georgian Theatre perfectly taking advantage of the stage depth to have two available platforms for both Miss Marple’s cottage and the flashbacks. The lack of messy scene changes allowed the play to move along at a great pace jumping from a beautifully decorated cottage on a raised platform to a bare stage closer to the audience. The clever lighting allowed both settings to appear simultaneously with the action being watched on from above by those deep in deliberation and thought processing. It was certainly a very clever concept and worked wonderfully.

Now having previously only seen this play last year I went in thinking it might seem a bit stale knowing the final outcome. The quality of the acting and character development actually had me second guessing myself and I ended up in complete shock at the finale as I had been taken on a lovely rollercoaster of suspect guessing by this talented cast. I think the only person less likely to guess the killer was in fact Inspector Craddock himself.

The story is centred around Miss Marple herself and largely takes place in her cottage with the residents of Wallingford frequent visitors to either be questioned or purely just to have a nosey into the recent events. Karen Davies did a great job in the title role, on stage for the whole production and having a lovely balance between delicate old lady and sharp investigator with a cheeky side. Her lines were delivered with precision and purpose, all the time seeming in complete control of the investigation and managing Inspector Craddock like her own personal puppet. Her expressions were lovely to watch and the eye roles and reactions to her visitors painted a lovely picture of intrigue and suspicion.

James Sanderson was a very gentle and refined Craddock showing great warmth and compassion towards Jane Marple in the role. His relationship with Karen perhaps showed more of their personal relationship past than that of a professional nature yet seemed very genuine in its delivery. 

The cast did a great job in creating a wonderful mixture of personalities in the list of suspects with almost everyone, except the deceased, a possible killer. Heather Leigh, our victim, played by Sarah Webber was a very key role, such are the amount of flashbacks in the play. She brought such a lovely sense of energy and zest to the character. Her beaming smile and great stage presence really lifted the scenes. She was a complete contrast to her shy and retiring husband Cyril who pretty much hid, or was forced into the background for the whole story. The looks of dejection every time he was ignored or spoken over were lovely to watch as he skulked his way back to the shadows.

To me the most obvious suspect was that of the Butler, isn’t it always! Giuseppe, played with a strong and forceful Kevin Murray. His unrequited love for Marina Gregg and his devotion to her putting him top of the list. Kevin balanced the different sides of his character well with his outbursts and anger always threatening to spiral out of control. Another of Marina’s employees firmly in the hotseat of suspicion was Ella Zielinsky, Marina’s assistant played with a real force by Sarah Carter. Her levels of frustration and angst brilliantly delivered and her edgy behaviour making her a prime contender for the killer crown.

Struggling to control his emotions and temper throughout was Archie Amery playing Jason Rudd, Marina’s passionate husband. The more the play went on and the more defensive he got the more he seemed a possible killer too. His emotion at the end of the play was incredibly intense with real tears of despair helping build the tension ready for one final twist.

Archie’s on-stage chemistry with Rachel Hall playing his wife Marina Gregg was incredibly believable with many sides to the relationship being explored, control, passion, devotion and complete dedication all conveyed very effectively. Rachel really brought the glitz and glamour to the production in her role as the movie star and host of the party where the initial crime took place. Her stage presence was sensational, really owning each scene and every action and reaction delivered with a purpose. She not only had the audience in the palm of her hand but also every other character. Her manipulation to everyone she encountered a masterclass in deception…. Or was it?

Also bringing her own touch of class and glamour to the production was Susie Ordish playing the role of Dolly Bantry, Miss Marple’s very posh, nosey and judgemental neighbour. The pair thoroughly enjoyed a good old gossip with Susie deliciously over the top not only in her mannerisms and grace but also her snobbish attitude towards other characters, especially those…. From the development.

There were so many twists and turns throughout the play but perhaps the biggest was the revelation of Marina’s two adopted daughters being heavily involved in the plot. Chloe Reid as Lola brilliantly balanced the glitz and style of a Hollywood Wannabee with the nerves and shy characteristics of a young lady clearly hiding something. Great acting off script with some wonderful long held glances drawing us in to her story.

Jennifer Roberts was fabulous as the other daughter and Miss Marple’s home carer Cherry Baker. Her whole persona had us suspicious from the start, not necessarily that she was the killer but that she was hiding something. Jennifer combined the twitchy behaviour with the nervous and slightly panicky character perfectly. Her accent held well throughout with lines, despite purposefully being quiet and apprehensive, delivered with great clarity and purpose.

The whole cast combined so well throughout making the cottage and flashback scenes completely believable and supported by Peter Fitzgerald as Assistant Director and Jack Davies as the Constable really helped bring the story to life. It was great to see so many new faces on stage in this production really showing the depth of talent available to this Society.

It was lovely to see the detail in the production from some stunning costume choices right through to the props and decoration of Miss Marples house. Clearly a lot of work had gone into this play from Director’s Lee and Gregan right through to the whole production team. The extra details from RADS always help take their productions to the next level and The Mirror Crack’d was no exception to this.

Thank you to everyone involved for delivering an edge of the seat thriller and I can not wait to see what you have up your sleeve for the Tempest in the Summer.

 

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