A Judgement in Stone at the New Alexandra Theatre Birmingham Review
A Judgement in Stone
New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
20-25 February 2017
Reviewed by Catherine Norris
Ruth Rendell’s 1977 masterpiece has been brought to life by a star cast on the stage of the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham.
There has been a murder, four actually – the whole Coverdale family, wiped out! The local residents have been left shocked and bewildered; murders do not happen in their quiet, rural village, and besides who would want to murder such a wonderful family?
With Detective Superintendent Vetch (played by Andrew Lancel – better known as Frank Foster from Coronation Street and DI Neil Manson from the Bill) and his colleague Detective Sergeant Challoner (played by Ben Nealon – better known as Lt Forsythe from Soldier Soldier) on the case, the two soon discover a whole array of potential suspects.
Could it be the Coverdales’ housekeeper, Eunice Parchman (played by Sophie Ward)? After all it was she that found and reported the murders and her finger prints were all over the crime scene. Plus, it’s no secret that her employment at the Coverdales’ was to cease due to her employer’s dissatisfaction over her ‘insolence’ also Miss Parchman did declare in her statement that she did not like the Coverdales. Although, it could have been the post lady Joan Smith (played by Deborah Grant). Mrs Smith had become friends with Miss Parchman and had displayed her interest in the Coverdales many times. Mr Coverdale had long suspected her of opening the families post and there had been an altercation between the two which had resulted in Mrs Smith being banned from visiting Miss Parchman at their house-a warning which she ignored. Mrs Smith always talked about killing and did confess to being a murderer-if only she had not had a terrible accident on the night of the murders, and been in a coma ever since, the detectives would be able to speak to her! However, it may have been Eva Baalham (played by Shirley Anne Field). She was the sole housekeeper before Miss Parchman started, but the Coverdales were not happy with her and reduced her work to just one day a week. Eva made her feelings for the Coverdales known to all in the village and so it was common knowledge that she did not like them. It’s possible that it was the gardener, Roger Meadows (played by Antony Costa from boy band Blue). He has previous form for theft and is currently out on parole. He is always snooping around and has an eye for the Coverdale family daughter, Melinda (played by Jennifer Sims). We also know that he is having an affair with a married woman!
The show is staged in the Coverdales’ home, with one set used to take us through the detectives’ enquiries and flashbacks to the events that led up to the Coverdales’ brutal murders and untimely deaths. The set is stunning and the transitioning is very clever and successfully executed. My favourite scene involved Mrs Smith and Miss Parchman singing and dancing at the end of act one. This is very funny and definitely one to watch out for. I also really enjoyed sharing thoughts with my friend on who the murderer may have been over a delicious ice cream during the interval. However, we were both completely wrong!
A Judgement in Stone is a gripping, suspense building, thriller which will have your eyes glued on the stage and your bottom on the edge of your seat. In true Ruth Rendell style, the story makes you empathise with the murderer’s motives which will give you something to think about long after the curtains have closed.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £16.90 to £39.40 (plus £4 transaction fee).
A Judgement in Stone is at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham until 25 February 2017. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 3011.
New Alexandra Theatre, Suffolk Queensway, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 4DS
