|
|
|
|
|
|
Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
|
|
Sam Allan as Miss Marple with Chris Lambeth as CI Craddock and Rosie Rimmer as Cherry the Maid The Mirror Crack’d The Grange Players, Walsall **** Leaving my reviewer hat off for a second, I must confess to having a huge affection for The Grange Playhouse. It’s where my own passion for theatre started way back in the mid 80s and it was a joy to return last night to watch its latest offering. In many ways, little has changed. The car park is still bumpy, the outside ladder to the roof top lighting box is still holding strong and the welcome in its refurbished foyer is still warm. I say refurbished - it was probably done years ago but it looked pretty new to me! If walls could speak - those after show parties would be quite the topic of conversation. But I digress… It’s a cracking little theatre and clearly well supported. A packed house on a Monday night would be the envy of most venues - and packed it was. A testament to the loyalty of its supporters as well as the quality of the programming. And so to the play . . . Rachel Wagstaff’s stage adaptation of Agatha Chrstie’s classic Miss Marple Mystery, places the story in 1960’s England, specifically the sleepy village of St. Mary Mead. An ingenious time structure uses flashbacks and freezes to weave together the past and present, all achieved on a clever split set with isolated lighting states. No plot spoilers here of course, but the story revolves around a Hollywood movie being shot in the local Manor House. It’s fair to say, it’s not the only thing being ‘shot’ in the village. This being Agatha Christie, it comes as no shock to learn that all is not as it should be ‘on set’ and it’s not long before Miss Marple (Sam Allan) is drawn to investigate the goings on, aided to a point by the local Chief Inspector Craddock (Chris Lambeth). Action switches back and forth from Miss Marple’s cosy living room to the set of the movie, with an assortment of characters being introduced along the way. The more characters the better of course when it comes to Agatha Christie - it makes it harder to work out who did it! There’s the film’s leading lady, Marina Gregg, played with real style and old school poise by Tina Williams. Jason, her husband, (and also the Director of the movie) is given confident swagger by Carl Horton.
Then there’s the younger co-star, hot to trot in her red Hollywood frock but seemingly a little distracted by something. Abby-Leigh Simpson oozes tinsel town glamour and gives just the right amount of sulky eye rolling when required. Added to the mix are a permanently perplexed Mr Leigh (Robert Onions) and his doting wife Heather (Amanda Glover). There’s a butler too (there’s always a butler !) played with pin point timing by Ray Lawrence. Ella Zielinsky is appropriately busy as Marina’s secretary and wins the award for most convincing ‘slap’. Nothing fake there - we would have heard it in the aforementioned car park! A strong performance too from Sarah Mason as Miss Marple’s chatty friend Dolly whilst Rosie Rimmer completes the eclectic mix as Cherry, the maid Sam Allan captures the essence of Miss Marple beautifully - sweetness and light at times but always with that sleuth like curiosity and hunger coming to the fore. Think Margaret Rutherford… Joan Hickson . . . demure and gentle on the outside, determined crime solvers on the inside. Allan hits the required balance throughout. Staging is excellent, creating two distinct sets on what is a compact stage. It never looks overcrowded, despite there being 11 characters onstage at times. At times, vocal projection is a little lost especially when dialogue takes place upstage and very occasionally the pace could be sharper but these are minor niggles in a generally well executed and engaging piece of theatre. What a journey. From my own debut on the Grange Stage (Tony in Abigail's Party) to an audience member 40 years later. A lot has happened in between, but I’m delighted to report that all is well on Broadway North and those seats are still being filled with delighted punters. The Mirror Crack’d runs until Saturday March 21st. Tom Roberts 16-03-26 |
|
|
|
