The Mirror Crack'd - The Mill at Sonning

I love a trip to Sonning. I've reviewed many a production at this venue, and all have been incredibly unique. Two things never seem to change, however: the quality of the food, and the diversity of the productions on offer.

As I've said in a previous review, this venue doesn't necessarily target audiences of my generation, and its shows often reflect this through revivals of niche twentieth century plays that are inevitably quite dated. That said, this one felt slightly different.

Before we take our seats, we're provided a stunning two course meal. The venue recently changed their chef, and though I've never had a negative comment about the quality of the meals, this one was outstanding. I had the "Braised feather blade of beef with new potatoes, honey cumin roasted carrots with port jus" (the potatoes were changed from mashed parmesan due to my dietary requirements), and the meat fell apart at the touch of my knife. It was so tender, in fact, that we joked about it being cooked since January.

This time around, the show on offer was Rachel Wagstaff's stage adaptation of Agatha Christie's The Mirror Crack'd, starring Liza Goddard as Miss Marple.

Photography by Pamela Raith

Part of what makes this venue so special is the set design (Michael Holt). The stage is wide, and the seating area so intimate that every angle feels personal, case in point, I was sat in the back row, row F. This show is set mostly in Miss Marple's living area, complete with wooden furniture, a lounge chair and old fashioned curtains, though the design occasionally shifts to set the scene in a movie studio, a dressing room, what have you. What's particularly impressive with this production is the use of lighting to optimise the space. Designed by Jamie Platt, this detail truly elevates the show.

As with most Mill productions, I find they typically struggle to captivate my attention throughout the 2 hour 15 run time. It doesn't seem that long, especially for regular theatregoers, but the environment at the Mill is so relaxed and the meal so generous that the production is left at an instant disadvantage, having to work twice as hard to grab attention. I did think this production left something to be desired in the writing, particularly in the second act. Some scenes lasted too long, and the ending seemed to run past its natural close.

But the cast was incredible. Goddard as Miss Marple commanded the stage with great poise, and Sara Crowe as the wronged Marina Gregg delivered a brilliant performance.

Overall, I had a great day out. The show was visually stunning, from its costumes to its set and lighting design, though not as captivating as I may have hoped. But the experience at the Mill more than makes up for the occasional shortcoming in production value.

Production Value (Show ONLY): 65%

Value For Money (Dining + Show): 90%

Personal Enjoyment (Dining + Show): 75%

Overall Score: 77% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)

(AD | Ticket gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: The Mill at Sonning, Reading

Playing until: 31st October 2026

Run Time: Approximately 2h15 - including a 20-minute interval

Tickets for this show can be found at this link.