Reviewed by Louise Styles
Ruth Rendell’s A Judgement in Stone is 100% a great British ‘who dunnit?’! Currently on stage at Milton Keynes Theatre until 29th July 2017, this crime fiction adaptation of the book is a really great night out.
We started the evening by making use of the theatres Ambassadors lounge, a luxurious private space where you can enjoy your drink before the show and again during the interval, I would highly recommend it and they have various packages available.
The story, originally written by Rendell in the 1970s, is set in rural Suffolk in the upper middle-class home of the Coverdales. The production do a wonderful job of to-ing and fro-ing between the present and flashbacks, subtle lighting and well throughout stage direction make the transitions smooth and easy to follow.
The cast of 12 does a stellar job embodying those centered around the multiple murder of four people, and having known nothing of the story previously it was great to have little idea of where the story was going. The class divide between the characters opens up the suspect list and highlights the social hierarchy that was still in force during the 70s.
This production has an array of well-known faces on stage including, Andrew Lancel, Mark Wynter, Shirley Anne Field and Antony Costa to name only a few. The story centers on the testimony of Eunice Parchman, played by Sophie Ward, a working-class housekeeper for the Coverdales at the time of their murder. She’s a great character and Ward plays her socially awkward character well.
As always whenever I visit the Milton Keynes theatre it’s a thoroughly good night out. The staff are friendly, parking especially easy, the facilities clean and I’ve never had a bad view wherever I’ve sat in the auditorium. Last night was no different, if you like a well-paced murder mystery then this is the show for you and I would highly recommend it.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £14.40 to £37.90 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
A Judgement in Stone is at Milton Keynes Theatre from 24-29 July 2017, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes or call the box office on 0844 8717652.
Milton Keynes Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK9 3NZ
