Miss Marple first surreptitiously ambled onto the crime scene in 1927 and she was very old even then. Since her first appearance in “The Tuesday Night Club” she has solved more murders than is normal for one petite detective to encounter in a lifetime and all without forensic tools, magnifying glass or DNA. “A Murder at the Vicarage” saw her first appearance in a full length novel, which, suspiciously, is the very novel on which your current reviewer is embarked. Spooky and perhaps a tad revealing. But I mustn’t mix up my murders! Miss Marple would not approve.
The first actress to play our erstwhile spinster was (interesting fact for detective fans) our very own Gracie Fields in a 1956 episode of “Goodyear TV Playhouse” and many notable actresses have followed in her tiny footsteps – Angela Lansbury, Margaret Rutherford, Helen Hayes and, of course, the inimitable Joan Hickson. Tonight’s production of “The Mirror Crack’d” features her latest regeneration in the form of Susie Blake, who, when not providing continuity links for Victoria Wood, has built a substantial and enviable career from sketch comedy with Russ Abbott to TV travelogues with “The Real Marigold Hotel”. I last saw her in the stage version of “Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em” and she was a total delight, but this is something very different…
From the moment of her first words (“Bugger!”) we know the tone will be different from previous incarnations and it certainly is. Director Philip Franks and writer Rachel Wagstaff have opted for an open time-open space structure allowing characters to view incidents enacted before them as tale of past events. I neat and almost faintly cinematic conceit if you can pull it off and they almost do. Only to be let but some odd lighting decisions which deny us the sharpest of reading the scenes we need.
However, the play is redeemed by a sterling and endearing performance from Blake who gives the old dear a sheen of naughtiness and mischievous fun which Miss Hickson I’m sure would have frown upon. She’s supported by Sophie Ward, convincing as Hollywood screen siren, Marina Gregg and Joe McFadden, handsome and dashing, as film director Jason Rudd.
My companion for the evening was entranced throughout and joyfully attempted (and succeeded) in picking the culprit. As did most of the supportive audience. It’s a bright and engaging attempt to revitalise an old war horse and for the most part succeeds. Go and solve it yourself!
Playing until 18th February, https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-mirror-crackd/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/
Reviewer: Peter Kinnock
Reviewed: 15th February 2022
North West End UK Rating: ★★★