Gerald Durrell may be best known for his whimsical tales of animals and eccentric family life, but The Shadow in the Mirror, adapted from his short story The Entrance, reveals a darker, more unsettling side to the beloved naturalist’s storytelling. Dugald Bruce-Lockhart’s adaptation, now playing at The Mill at Sonning, is a gripping psychological thriller that blends gothic horror with cerebral suspense, keeping audiences on edge from start to finish.
Set in a decaying French chateau that doubles as a prison, the production’s atmosphere is immediately immersive. Diego Pitarch’s set design is a triumph, evoking both grandeur and claustrophobia, while Natalie Titchener’s costumes lend a timeless elegance that enhances the eerie ambiguity of the narrative. The lighting and sound design (by Mike Robertson and Simon Slater respectively) work in tandem to heighten the tension, with subtle shifts in tone and texture that mirror the protagonist’s descent into uncertainty.
The story follows a bookseller who accidentally unleashes a series of ghostly and psychological events that blur the line between reality and delusion, and faces the guillotine as a result. As secrets unravel and the past refuses to stay buried, the audience is drawn into a chilling confrontation with forces beyond comprehension. Bruce-Lockhart’s direction ensures the pacing never falters, and the storytelling remains taut and compelling throughout.
The cast is uniformly strong. Nick Waring brings a haunted intensity to his role, his performance layered with vulnerability and dread. Gregg Lowe, Giles Taylor and George Dillon each deliver nuanced portrayals that add depth to the mystery, with Dillon particularly effective in moments of quiet menace. Their chemistry and timing are impeccable, and they navigate the shifting sands of truth and illusion with admirable precision.
What makes The Shadow in the Mirror so effective is its refusal to offer easy answers. It is horror to a point, but more accurately a psychological thriller that plays with perception and memory. The audience is never quite sure what to believe, and that ambiguity is its greatest strength.
The Shadow in the Mirror marks another bold step for The Mill at Sonning, a venue that continues to surprise with its programming choices. Known for its warm hospitality and award-winning productions, the theatre proves once again that it can deliver both comfort and chills in equal measure.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
