Theatre Review: A Judgement in Stone

While everyone else was praying for snow last week, I was hoping it wouldn't – as I had tickets to see A Judgement in Stone at Theatre Royal and I didn't want to miss it. Fortunately, the snow held off. But then, the worst happened. My youngest was poorly. They just know you're going out sometimes, don't they?! Anyway. Disaster! But someone was smiling down on me, as I was lucky to get another pair of tickets for the following evening – and it was well worth the wait. I was particularly interested in seeing this show, as I'd studied some of Ruth Rendell's books during my English Literature degree at university, and I'm rather fond of her work. I hadn't, however, read A Judgement in Stone, and so was totally clueless as to 'whodunnit' – the best way to be when seeing a thriller, I think. Following on from the decade-long success of The Agatha Christie Company, Bill Kenwright's production was thoroughly engaging from start to finish, with first-class performances from an all-star cast and a vibrant, realistic set. The plot follows Eunice Parchman (played by the talented Sophie Ward from Heartbeat), who has led a very dull life, and is taken on as a housekeeper by the wealthy Coverdales. They are poles - or classes - apart, and the Coverdales are lively, confident and warm to her quiet, mouse-like character. She is very awkward around them, despite their kindness, due to a deeply buried, shameful secret that she is obsessed with keeping… We learn early on that all four of the Coverdale family have been murdered in cold blood – on Valentine's Day – and the story flashes between the present, with Eunice and the other staff of the household being questioned by the detective (Andrew Lancel from Coronation Street and The Bill) to the past, where we see the tale truthfully unfold. It is cleverly done, with a cool blue light representing the present day and a warm golden glow showing the family in their final days. It's rather unsettling watching these events play out, knowing that some of the most likeable characters face a certain grizzly death. The investigations reach boiling point – with thief turned gardener for the Covedales (Antony Costa – remember him from boyband Blue? And yes, he can actually act!) lying to the detectives and Eunice's friend Joan – a raucous prostitute turned church-goer – ending up in hospital after a car crash. (Deborah Grant plays nutcase Joan with dramatic flair and comical genius. She was wonderful in her brassy blonde wig, leopard-print coat and miniskirt, and so believable, she brought the stage to life.) All these events finally explode in a crime of madness, which is both frightening and shocking in equal measure. The play kept us guessing until the end... and when it reached a satisfactory conclusion, it had us sighing in our seats with: 'Of course! Why didn't we see it coming?' It was brilliant, go and see it – it's still on until Saturday. It has revived my love of Rendell's books. In fact, I am going to go and look for my stash of them in the loft… http://www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/