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BrumHour was invite see The Mirror Crack’d by The Alexandra.
By Charlie Farmer
Review: The Mirror Crack’d at The Alexandra
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”Sweet and shocking, heart-warming and heart-breaking”
Directed by Philip Franks adapted for the Stage by Rachel Wagstaff
It’s 1953 in the village of St Reed. Elder detective Miss Jane Marple has sprained her ankle in an accident, confining herself to crutches and a chair. A film company has moved in and famous actress Marina Gregg has bought her old friend Mrs Bantry’s house. However, news reaches her from her godson Chief Inspector Dermot Craddock that there has been a murder at a party hosted by Marina. She, Bantry and Craddock go over the events, and the answers to the questions Craddock asked of them, and make some deductions. Then they go to Gossingham hall, where they start wiggling down a deep, dark rabbit tunnel of woe and mystery.
I have not seen many plays, but this is amongst the best I’ve seen. The set design is simple and never changes, but shows all the places, from Miss Marple’s living room to the outside and inside of Gossingham Hall with just a bit of pushing. The costumes are well done, fitting the characters well – a white suit for a rich Director, the glamorous dress for the famous actress, a suit for the Chief Inspector, and a Cardigan for Jane Marple, who is often dismissed as a harmless old Lady. The lighting was decent and the music always and always fitted the scene.
Whether their part be big or tiny, the actors all did magnificently as either criminals, heroes, fools and seekers, some of the best coming from Susie Blake, who transformed herself into Miss Marple. She played the kindly, cynical, intelligent, and cunning old lady perfectly, and some of the best acting she did in those two hours were when she talked about her own personal tragedies and when she hit her lowest point. Jane’s argumentative yet affectionate relationship with her godson Dermot (played by Oliver Boot) was amusing, sad and heart-warming. The other twin star of the show was Sophie Ward’s Marina Gregg, who was a tragic character who’s performance almost brought rivers of tears down my face.
The Mirror Crack’d was one of the saddest things I’ve ever watched, yet still, has plenty of vital humor sprinkled on a story of vile murder, mind-bending plot twists and heart-wrenching tragedy. Every plot twist was completely unexpected, if Sherlock Holmes heard this tale, he would be impressed with how Miss Marple figured it out. Nearly every character was given a special, tragic scene that stood out to me, even the person with the least lines.
I would describe this play in a few words – sweet and shocking, heart-warming and heart-breaking.
The Mirror Crack’d is at The Alexandra until 18th February 2023. Discover what is coming up at The Alexandra and book tickets using BrumHour’s affiliate link >> HERE <<.
