Shivers down your spine ….

I attended the first evening performance of The Mist in the Mirror last night, Tuesday 3^rd March. The show is running until Saturday 7^th March with both matinee and evening performances. The Old Coliseum Theatre’s production is a stage adaptation of famous author Susan Hill’s 1992 novel The Mist in the Mirror. Adapted for the stage by Ian Kershaw and directed by Kevin Shaw the show is a ghostly evening that I would highly recommend. This tour is a world première, and the first adaptation of this chilling ghost story which follows Susan Hill’s famous novel and the later stage adaptation and film The Woman in Black. Old Coliseum Theatre is one of the oldest and most established theatre companies still running in the country, and dates back to 1885. The combined theatrical talent of Old Coliseum and the visual audio expertise of imitating the dog (yes it is small case) has crafted a production which is powerful and intensely atmospheric. A highly professional performance from the cast alongside high tech. state of the art lighting and sound production came together beautifully engaging the entire audience of an almost full house.

The Mist in the Mirror is a spine-chilling Gothic tale set in London at the beginning of the twentieth century. James Monmouth returns to England having lived and travelled overseas for all of his adult life. He has a preoccupation with the infamous explorer Conrad Vane who is steeped in mystery. In his quest to find out more about his childhood hero Monmouth repeatedly encounters a ghostly figure of a small child. That is all I am going to tell you, for those who have not read the book I fear of giving too much away. Credit goes to every member of the cast who each played their characters faultlessly. With only five actors playing a total of seven characters they delivered their lines with clear enunciation and believable characteristics. Jack Lord (reader) narrated the story in traditional English style, elevated from the stage, book in hand and comfortable in his old armchair. Paul Warriner played the protagonist James Monmouth with verve and amusement, portraying the free spirited traveller’s naivety with great conviction and a good deal of lines to remember. Martin Reeve was exceptionally busy playing three characters in all. The stage costumes were typical of their time, as was the décor reproducing the inn, the library, and the railway station. It was an honour to spend the evening being entertained by such discerning professionals.

I must admit I felt quite unsettled, that is, in a ‘shivers down my spine’ kind of a way, and paradoxically entranced at the same time. The intermission was an intrusion that broke the spooky ambience, but I did welcome the complimentary drink courtesy of The Wolsey. I must add that the bar staff are highly efficient at delivering drinks and supplies in a short space of time. The show was a captivating evening of English Edwardian delight which could be described as having a Dickensian, Jamesian (M. R.) combined feel about it. I look forward to more performances at The Wolsey, for I am rarely if ever disappointed. I will mention as I have done before that The Wolsey really needs a larger foyer, and seating area for their lovely cafe. It is always good to arrive early, get a drink and absorb the pre-show atmosphere (people watch!) Judging from the mood and some of the comments I got from the audience post performance it seems as though everybody had a great evening.

The Mist in the Mirror - presented by Oldham Coliseum Theatre is currently showing at the New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich as part of a UK tour running from January through to May 2015.

Trudy Ellis (undergraduate), University Campus Suffolk, Ipswich