The Mirror Crack’d
Agatha Christie, adapted by Rachel Wagstaff
Directed by Dan Usztan
Tower Theatre Stoke Newington
Star rating: 4
This sparky adaptation of one of Agatha Christie’s best novels is ideal for Tower Theatre’s spacious triangular stage. It allows characters to sit downstage, stationary and listening while scenes are “recounted” – acted out – behind them, sometimes several times in different versions as the story unfolds.
A local woman dies at a drinks party, given by Hollywood film star, Marina Gregg (Lucy Moss), who has recently bought the local manor house and is filming nearby. It soon transpires that she has been poisoned and Chief Inspector Craddock (Sebastian Chrispin) arrives to investigate. At the same time he visits his quasi-aunt, Miss Jane Marple (Alison Liney), who is laid up with a sprained ankle. No prizes for guessing who eventually solves the mystery.
It’s quite a challenge for an actor to make Miss Marple convincing and loveable because we are so used to iconic TV adaptations and several very famous faces. Alison Liney more than nails it. She is gentle, feisty and mentally indefatigable – every inch the sharpest of brains pretending, when it suits her, to be a mildly batty tea-obsessed old lady with a twinkle in her eye. It’s moving at times too because Liney finds real depth and warmth when, for example, Miss Marple discusses childlessness with Moss’s troubled Marina Gregg.
There’s admirable work from Chrispin too. His lanky, raincoated, bespectacled Craddock is trying hard to do a professional job and really could do without interjections from his elderly “aunt” – except that he can’t because her intuition and observation are more effective than his formal procedures. Chrispin and Liney work well together with a lot of active listening and naturalistic conversation.
There’s a competent support cast of nine, some of whom double in minor roles in the party and film-set scenes. Sangita Modgil, for instance, is fun as the absurdly snobbish Dolly Bantry and Paul Isaacs good as the dead woman’s husband who tries so hard to be heard.
Haidee Elise’s costumes are a 1950s delight. The tangerine suit and hat worn by Lauren Budd as Lola Brewster and Miss Marple’s elegant blouse with brooch at the neck are richly evocative of the period.
You have to hand it to Agatha. She still brings in the punters. The Tower Theatre was fuller for this show than I’ve seen it in a long time and I was pleased for everyone involved in this enjoyable show.
