Spine-chiller at The Mill

"all the ingredients of a good, spooky ghost story and then some... gripping and creepy all the way though... original in terms of theatrical story telling"

The Whistling at the Mill at Sonning has all the ingredients of a good, spooky ghost story. And then some.

It is an adaptation of Rebecca Netley’s novel and a world premiere. It has been adapted for the stage by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel. The director, Joseph Pitcher has been assisted by an assistant director doubling as a movement director, lighting, and sound designers, set designer and an illusionist. Now it isn’t too often you see an illusionist listed with a production team. They needed him though, that’s for sure.

Craggy, forbidding looking stage flats moved around the stage eerily as the skyline formed a swirling blue/grey haze. Dark figures in bleak clothing appeared suddenly from the rear, side or back of the stage and just seemed to float, menacingly.

As to the whistling that was just a part of it. Wind, thumping great heartbeat like sounds and strange, menacing music were all skilfully integrated into this production. It wasn’t just the stuff of nightmares it was a treble dose of them.

The story concerns the arrival of Elspeth on a remote Scottish island in the 1860s to become a nanny to a frightened, bereaved young girl. Rebecca Forsyth played the visitor using a wide range of emotions and many different expressions to play the determined, sometimes frightened but compassionate young woman.

The very young girl Mary was played impressively by Sophie Bidgood on this night. Due to rules restricting young actors there were two others on different nights.

Making her professional acting debut as Mary is Ivy Evans from Cold Ash - “She's brilliant!” is the verdict from The Mill. She was on standby for the performance I saw, but did have a brief appearance as she ran across the back of the stage in ghostly fashion.

Heather Jackson was impressive as Ailsa, an older woman who has seen it all, done it all and knows many a ghostly secret. Raghad Chaar was suitably stiff and uncompromising as Greer. Johnny McGarrity was the only male actor, but he did get to play three different characters. Stephanie Farrell, Susie Riddell and Nadia Kramer were busy either acting or floating across stage like

Mary has lost her brother whose death shocks her into losing her voice. Elspeth, her new nanny is grieving for the death of her sister. These two form a sympathetic alliance and understanding and that’s all the storyline you will get from me.

Is it gripping and creepy all the way though? Is it original in terms of theatrical story telling?

You bet it is.

DEREK ANSELL