The Mist in the Mirror, written by Ian Kershaw, is a brilliant adaptation of Susan Hill’s spooky novel. She is better known for The Woman in Black, but this is new show, an Oldham Coliseum original production, is also captivating.
Orphaned at five, James Monmouth was sent off to Africa to live with his guardian, and knows nothing of his birth or early life. When the older man dies, James, now an adult, decides on a life of travel. He follows the journeys of Conrad Vane whose book he found in the home in Africa. As the drama moves along, we wonder was that a coincidence or not.
Back in England, Monmouth decides to investigate the life of the hero whose footsteps he has followed. Despite the attempts of all who have some knowledge of Vane to put him off his quest, he is not deterred. He is prepared to confront the fear, supernatural happenings, and the growing conviction and trepidation of the connection between Vane and his own family.
At first the play keeps mainly to the book but varies as it progresses, to suit a different medium, so there are unexpected twists and turns as well as events which will be familiar to those who have read the novel.
Theatre company ‘imitating the dog’ have done an excellent job in building the tension and a creepy atmosphere, using mainly monochrome lighting with tremendous eerie and haunting sound effects, but also plenty of loud bangs to make you jump. The projections of various facades onto the basic sets and backcloths are cleverly done to create varied and often strange places to which the story takes us: Libraries, inns, lodgings by the river Thames, a country house, a graveyard, the Yorkshire Moors, and the old semi derelict Kittiscar Hall. The outstanding visual techniques also give us the feel of smog, snow, rain and fog. Sliding scenery and doors are smoothly moved into place as the drama unfolds.
The only real colour is the red lighting of the Reader in a small space almost suspended above the stage, again adding to the spooky mood of the piece.
The Reader (Jack Lord) narrates the story, as it develops on stage, and carries the role with sufficient gravitas and mystery. For most of the performance Paul Warriner as Monmouth seemed a little bland and unemotional, not really displaying the horror and anxiety he should, but towards the end seemed to warm to his role, so presumably as the run carries on he will carry it off throughout.
Martin Reeve takes on several key parts all convincingly, especially Dr Valentine Dancer, a teacher at Vane’s old school. Caroline Harding as Lady Viola Quincebridge brings out the mystery of her role, as the woman who meets Monmouth on a train, as if accidently, and invites him to stay at her rather grand house for Christmas. But she is known for her premonitions, which prove curiously accurate.
Sarah Eve, the remaining actress makes only a brief appearance as Esther the maid at the end but presumably was responsible for ghostly appearances of the boy following Monmouth around the country.
The Mist in the Mirror is definitely worth seeing particularly if you enjoy a chilling Gothic tale.
The Mist in the Mirror runs at the Oldham Coliseum until 21st February, then goes on to tour the UK. For tickets and information, click here.
Image credit: Joel C Fildes