10 – 15 October
Susie Blake, Sophie Ward & Joe McFadden star in brand-new production of Agatha Christie’s famous mystery novel The Mirror Crack’d
Audiences in Oxford are in for a star-studded story of passion, mystery and revenge as Susie Blake, Joe McFadden and Sophie Ward lead the cast in a brand-new production of Rachel Wagstaff’s acclaimed adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d. The production, directed by Philip Franks, will be touring the UK in 2022, coming to Oxford Playhouse from Mon 10 to Sat 15 October.
The Mirror Crack’d is a thrilling tale of love and vengeance, and Rachel Wagstaff’s adaptation of Christie’s classic novel brings real emotional depth and psychological insight to the story.
1960s England and a wind of change is blowing through the land.It has even reached the sleepy village of St. Mary Mead. There’s a new housing estate to make the villagers curious and fearful. And even stranger, a rich American film star has bought the Manor House.Jane Marple, confined to a chair after an accident, is wondering if life has passed her by. Then there is a vicious murder, and Miss Marple must unravel a web of lies, tragedy and danger.
Susie Blake plays Miss Marple. She is best known for playing the Continuity Announcer in Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV, as well as her regular roles of Bev Unwin in ITV’s Coronation Street and Hillary Nicholson in BBC’s Mrs Brown’s Boys. She has recently appeared in series one and two of Kate & Koji (ITV), Not Going Out (BBC One) and The Real Marigold Hotel (BBC One). Her films include Fierce Creatures and Nativity 3: Dude, Where’s My Donkey?!. Her theatre credits include Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical (Hall for Cornwall), Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em (UK Tour), My Fair Lady (Grange Festival), Grumpy Old Women Live 2 & 3, When We Are Married (West End), Pygmalion (Chichester Festival Theatre), Madame Morrible in Wicked (West End) and Belinda Blair in Noises Off (National Theatre).
Joe McFadden, known to many as Strictly Coming Dancing champion 2017, plays Jason Rudd. His television credits include Raffaello Di Lucca in Holby City from 2014 to 2020, Alistair in Casualty in 2009, PC Joe Mason in Heartbeat from 2007 to 2009, Jack Marshland in Cranford, Dallas in Sex, Chips & Rock’n’roll, Prentice McHoan in The Crow Road and Gary McDonald in The High Road. Theatre includes Priscilla-Queen Of The Desert, Torch Song Trilogy (Menier Chocolate Factory), She Loves Me (Chichester Festival Theatre), Rainbow Kiss (Royal Court Theatre), How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (Chichester Festival Theatre), Aladdin (Old Vic Theatre) and Rent (Shaftesbury Theatre, London).
Sophie Ward has most recently been seen in the BBC‘s A Very British Scandal opposite Claire Foy and Paul Bettany, BBC/HBO Max’s Troubled Blood, and This Sceptred Isle, playing the role of Rachel Johnson, opposite Kenneth Branagh’s Boris Johnson. Other TV credits include Land Girls, Holby City and Heartbeat. For the past four years, Sophie has hosted the European Diversity Awards and works closely alongside Stonewall.
The full cast has recently been announced with Susie Blake as Miss Marple, Sophie Ward as Marina Gregg, Joe McFadden as Jason Rudd, Veronica Roberts as Dolly Bantry, Mara Allen as Cherry Baker, Sarah Lawrie as Ella Zielinsky, Jules Melvin as Heather Leigh, David Partridge as Cyril Leigh, Oliver Boot as Chief Inspector Craddock, Lorenzo Martelli as Guiseppe Renzo, Chrystine Symone as Lola Brewster and Holly Smith in the ensemble.The production will be directed by Philip Franks (Barnes’ People, The Haunting of Alice Bowles, The Habit of Art, The Croft and A Cold Supper Behind Harrods) and designed by Adrian Linford, with lighting design by Emma Chapman, sound design by Max Pappenheim and casting by Ellie Collyer-Bristow CDG.
The UK Tour will be produced by Alastair Whatley and Tom Hackney for The Original Theatre Company. The Original Theatre Company recently won a Critics’ Circle Award for their outstanding contribution to British Theatre during lockdown.
The Mirror Crack’d at Oxford Playhouse is sponsored by The Randolph Hotel.
Tickets for The Mirror Crack’d at Oxford Playhouse start at £10 and are available to purchase in person from the Box Office on Beaumont Street, by calling the Box Office team on 01865 305 305, or online at www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Photo credit: Michael Wharley
