The Cast with Director Brian Blessed

The Unexpected Guest – The Mill at Sonning Theatre (Reading) until 28th July

★★★★

Review By Caroline Hanks-Farmer

Tucked away just outside Reading, is the beautiful rustic Mill at Sonning Theatre. Full of history and charm this 17th century flour mill and now theatre really is a little gem to visit. Artistic Director Sally Hughes is on hand to welcome and ensure that her staff give exemplary attentive service – which they do. A delicious buffet is served prior to the show and I’d encourage anyone to enjoy this as well as the show. It adds to the whole experience and really is a nice touch.

The show

Written by Agatha Christie The Unexpected Guest is full of intrigue and keeps you guessing right until the end. Full of twists and turns, the interval is spent discussing with fellow audience members who you think has “done it”. A strong cast delivers the quintessentially british “Murder Mystery”. My experience of Agatha Christie is that it becomes quite apparent, early on, that the murder victim has so many enemies that it could be any one of the remaining cast who could be the murderer.

Each member of the cast has their moment to make you think it was them and they all take the opportunity to seize it. From Henry Angell (George Telfer) to the Mother  – Mrs Warwick (Diane Keen) they are all convincing in their version of events. All the cast are on point here but particular other mentions must go to Kate Tydman, Séan Browne, Rosalind Blessed and Patrick Myles, who all helped the audience to believe the twists and turns of the story.

However the biggest credit must go to Luke Barton as Jan Warwick. His extensive research into his characters’ mannerisms is really outstanding and are so real they can be felt by the audience. Barton gives an astonishingly good and sympathetic performance of a very difficult character to portray.

In summary

Expertly directed by Brian Blessed this charming quintessentially British murder mystery is a thoroughly enjoyable evening out. The surroundings add to the evening and I definitely will be visiting this theatre again, the experience is worth the journey. So please do get in your car or hop on the train and visit this exquisite historic and lovingly restored theatre.

Listings

7 June – 28 July 2018

Evening shows from Tue-Sat

The Mill at Sonning Theatre

Sonning Eye
RG4 6TY Reading
United Kingdom

BOX OFFICE: 0118 969 8000
boxoffice@millatsonning.com

ARRIVING BY ROAD:

FROM THE M4 JUNCTION 8/9:
Take the A404(M) to the A4, then follow the B478

FROM THE M4 JUNCTION 10:
Take the A329(M) to the A4, then follow the B478

FROM THE A4155:
Take the B478

We have ample car parking space available for customer use.

ARRIVING BY RAIL:

The Mill is a 10 minute taxi ride from Reading, Twyford, Earley and Wargrave stations

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