The Shadow In The Mirror At The Mill At Sonning Theatre Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Joanna Woodburn

The stage adaptation of Gerald Durrell’s haunting short story, The Entrance, adapted and directed by Dugald Bruce-Lockhart is now showing at the Mill at Sonning, a venue described by Dame Judi Dench as ‘a jewel of British theatre’.

Celebrating more than 40 years of unanimous acclaim, the Mill at Sonning is a most special venue. It is, uniquely, the only dinner theatre in the UK, and plays host to the very best in entertainment and all with great warmth and charm. The Mill is more than just a theatre, it is a living heritage, sitting majestically on the banks of the River Thames, it is a Grade II listed building with a waterwheel that still turns today.

The Shadow in the Mirror is a clever stage adaptation of Gerald Durrell’s Gothic horror short story, The Entrance, which was published in his collection The Picnic and Suchlike Pandemonium in 1979. Best known for his conservation work and bestselling accounts of his sunny years on Corfu, the first surprise of the evening was that naturalist Durrell had a gem of a thriller tucked away to add to his collection.

Directed and adapted by Dugald Bruce-Lockhart, this creepy play blends Gothic horror with a whodunnit and succeeds in keeping us, the audience, guessing until the end. Set in Marseilles, France in 1901, the play tells the story of an antiquarian bookseller who is commissioned one winter to catalogue the library of a deceased French Marquis. In doing so, he discovers an ancient, hidden doorway in the remote chateau and has to face unmentionable consequences. As the protagonist comes face to face with the ghostly terrors that lie behind the doorway, he uncovers long buried secrets and is drawn deeper and deeper into the unimaginable.

The play is atmospheric and engaging to its core and the overall vision by the director, Dugald Bruce-Lockhart is rewarding. The extremely well designed set is phenomenal and creates an immediate sense of dark foreboding. The intimacy of the Mill’s theatre and the low lighting and sound effects add to the atmosphere as we, the audience, sink into our seats as we are drawn into the creepy tale.

As the barriers blur between the world of the living and the realm of the dead, it could seem like a daunting task to portray this and capture the essence of gothic horror effectively. However, the direction is excellent and with just the right balance of a few jump scares, the real focus lies on anchoring the audience in the story and the ending is strong. The actors rise to the challenge too, with a particular mention to Nick Waring who gives a convincing performance as our protagonist, bookseller, Peter Letting.

This is a show for anyone who enjoys suspense and spookiness and as the nights draw in, perfect for the season.
I would highly recommend that you dare to look at the Shadow In The Mirror!

Rating: 4/5
The Shadow in the Mirror is at the Mill at Sonning Theatre and runs from 18th September – 8th November 2025. For more information or to book tickets, visit millatsonning.com