The house on cold hill ****
At the Mill at Sonning
When I was a child I used to love (and write) ghost stories.
Now, it seems, frighteners owe more to Dinosaurs and Sci fi than ghosts or even Dracula – [my son’s favourite hero.] But the wonderful Mill at Sonning Theatre has come to our aid .This production is inspired by a real life event told by Peter James, adapted by. Shaun McKenna and directed by Keith Myers
Oddly enough, this play is in the current fashionable form of an overlong first act and a quicker and more snappy last act. I feel it is necessary to mention this as I believe a few cuts in the early part of the play would be an improvement. I found the act rather too long and full of too much conversation.
The plot is based on the true story which is featured in the programme.
Chris has bought a typical gothic house in the country several miles from the previous family home in Brighton. The house, of course, had a history – one that the estate agent never mentioned. It doesn’t take Caro the wife and Jade, his daughter to find out each in their own particular way the problems of living in the house on Cold Hill.
The house is , of course, infested with some unhappy deceased residents who tend to blame the living occupants of the house for their unfortunate demise. One particular old lady who turns lights on and off and who seems to live in a blocked off secret room upstairs, occasionally visiting the hall to appear in the looking glass above the fireplace. There are some ghostly effects, doors open and shut, strange noises and twitchy neighbours.
The man, his wife and daughter all find this out during the first act one way or another. Some of the findings are really scary.
A modern comedy addition to the plot is the Alexa which is bought by Caro for her husband. It provides us with a few laughs by constantly misunderstanding the questions she is asked, which add to her creepiness in the end.
Keith Myers has gathered a super cast including Madeleine Knight, Dan Buckley,Hannah Boyce,Kevin Rand, Matt Milburn and Harry Gostelow plus another addition in the completely unrecognisable appearance of Debbie McGee who is taking a break from her tv appearances to play a weird supernatural person who tries to help them exorcise the grey lady and others who are being obstreperous.
Alex Marker should be applauded for his Superly Gothic set incorporating all sorts of curious aspects. Special sounds and effects by Graham Weymouth
The atmosphere at the Sonning mill is so conducive to having a glorious evening – or afternoon and the splendid two course meal before the show adds enormously to the all round enjoyment. A trip to Sonning is always a special occasion.
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pyekan 