Gripping true-crime drama at Newbury’s Watermill ‘story telling at its best’

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher at The Watermill, Bagnor, until June 10. Review by ROBIN STRAPP

KATE Summerscale’s tense crime thriller The Suspicions of Mr Whicher is intriguingly adapted for the stage from her bestselling 2008 book by Alexandra Wood in this world premiere at The Watermill theatre.

The play focuses on the hideous murder of Constance Kent’s three-year-old step brother who she confessed she had murdered in 1860. There was a huge public uproar at this crime and Constance was sentenced to life in prison.

Amy Jane Cook’s sombre set design reflects the bleak interior of Fulham prison where the play starts. This is enhanced by Rachel Sampley’s imaginative projections on to a gauze, including the Kent’s family tree, written in cursive handwriting, and the ghostly appearance of the young boy. Katy Morison’s striking lighting and Beth Duke’s emotive soundscape all help to create the dismal Victorian atmosphere.

Kate Budgen’s taut direction cleverly plays through a 20-year timeframe and the six talented actors are impressively strong with many multi-roling using changes of posture, voice and costume to great effect.

Christopher Naylor gives a nuanced performance as the prudent detective from New Scotland Yard, determined to solve the mysterious circumstances surrounding the case and save his reputation.

the six talented actors are impressively strong with many multi-roling using changes of posture, voice and costume to great effect

He has negotiated a meeting with Constance in prison 21 years after the atrocity to find out the truth, with the promise of a letter to secure her release.

Eleanor Wyld is outstanding as Constance, at first appearing calm and in control, but the unspeakable painful facts slowly emerge as her shocking memory of events surface.

Jim Creighton gives a powerful performance as her father, who had multiple affairs with the children’s nannies, including Miss Gough (Robyn Sinclair). He eventually marries one of them, Miss Pratt (Connie Walker), resulting in the birth of Francis, who was much favoured instead of William (Sam Liu) his first son.

The resulting tension forces Constance and William to become closer, deciding to run away to sea as cabin boys.

There is a tour de force moment of complete silence from the characters on a train journey that speaks volumes about relationships.

The gripping conclusion leaves the audience with much to discuss.

This is story telling at its best.