Set in the shadowy corridors of a crumbling manor where the past refuses to rest, this atmospheric stage adaptation tells the unsettling story of a bookseller who uncovers an ancient, hidden doorway in an old country house – and the ghostly terror that lurks behind it. As the boundary between the living and the dead blurs, secrets long buried come to light, leading to a chilling confrontation with a force beyond human understanding.
Arriving on a sunny day at the Mill at Sonning is always exciting. Just a one-stop 20 min train journey from Paddington and you’re in Reading. A drink in the bar before a 3-course lunch and then the matinee show. What a treat! The food is scrumptious after which we all waddled into the theatre for the show!
The quality of the productions put on by the Mill at Sonning are just superb and this time is no exception. It’s an amphitheatre curved style auditorium and the production values are stunning. The Set has a curved bay window of glass mirror panes flanked by a staircase on one side and a spiral staircase on the other. A large Vault door with spoked wheel lock os also to one side and then there are catwalks linking several aerial entrances. It’s mottled down to be the interior of a dusty grand castle.
Letting loose one of the UK’s best celebrity lighting designers, Mike Robertson, on this set and you know it’s going to be wonderful. With atmospheric beams of light coming from all angle while always bringing focus to the actors where and when needed, this is quality work.
The third player in this wonderful piece of theatre is the sound. With a surround sound system the effects are targeted all around the audience with plenty of underscoring soundscape noise. A spooky horror story of gothic proportions of course perfectly timed to cover the Halloween season.
The cast are really good bringing a wealth of experience to the stage. The story however is a little dated and predictable. But never mind, the entire day out is a wonderful experience.
George Dillon, Gregg Lowe, Giles Taylor, Nick Waring
Director & Adaptor – Dugald Bruce-Lockhart
Set Designer – Diego Pitarch
Costume Designer – Natalie Titchener
Lighting Designer – Mike Robertson
Sound Designer & Composer – Simon Slater
Video Designer – Graham Weymouth
Casting – Kate Plantin CDG
The Mill at Sonning
Sonning Eye
Reading
RG4 6TY
www.millatsonning.com