The Classic Thriller Theatre Company - A Judgement in Stone
24th - 29th July 2017 Milton Keynes Theatre

Bill Kenwright presents an adaptation of one of Ruth Rendell's early thrillers 'A Judgement in Stone', widely considered to be one of her greatest works.

With first-class performances from an all-star cast that includes award winning TV and stage favourite Andrew Lancel best known to TV audiences for his portrayal of villainous business man Frank Foster in Coronation Street and for the role of DI Neil Manson in The Bill. 

He is joined by Sophie Ward who played the beautiful, ill-fated love interest of Young Sherlock Holmes and Dr Helen Trent in long-running ITV television drama Heartbeat, pop-idol Mark Wynter who since his hit parade days has featured in seven Agatha Christie Company productions.

Deborah Grant, who has starred in Not Going Out and Bergerac, movie icon Shirley Anne Field who became an overnight star in two landmark films The Entertainer opposite Sir Laurence Olivier, and Saturday Night and Sunday Morning with Albert Finney.

Antony Costa who shot to fame in chart topping boy band Blue and Agatha Christie Company stalwart Ben Nealon whose TV credits include ITV’s award winning drama Soldier Soldier.

Set in the 1970's, the plot follows Eunice Parchman (Sophie Ward) who has so far, led a very dull life and is hired as a housekeeper by the wealthy Coverdales'. 

They are poles (and classes) apart with the Coverdales' being exuberant, confident and warm compared to her quiet, reserved mouse-like character. Eunice is very awkward around them, despite their kindness - all due to a deeply buried, long hidden and shameful secret that she is obsessed with keeping, at any cost… 

Ruth Rendell's brilliant plot unravels a lifetime of deceit, despair and cover ups. Early on in the play it is known that all four of the Coverdale family have been murdered in cold blood on Valentine's Day.  Rendell intended the story to be not so much as a whodunit, as a ‘how did they come to do it’.

The story cleverly flashes between the present, with Eunice and the other staff of the household (who all look like they may have good reason to commit murder) being questioned by Detective Superintendent Vetch (Andrew Lancel) and Detective Sergent Challoner (Ben Nealon) to the past, where we see the tale truthfully unfold. 

This is a very entertaining and gripping production, a great evenings entertainment - and one that exceeded my expectations.

Enjoy!

Lily B X

To book just visit Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office, call 0844 871 7652 (bkg fee) or go to www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes  (bkg fee)