Busman’s Honeymoon
Until June 25
The Mill at Sonning
0118 969 8000
Hot on the heels of the mysterious House On Cold Hill comes Busman’s Holiday, another play directed by Brian Blessed, in what has become an annual tradition.
The stage at the Mill at Sonning has transformed into a house of yesteryear, the focal points being an impressive chimney breast and a curiously large cactus in a hanging basket, albeit not the biggest aspidistra in the world.
The play tells the story of Lord Peter Wimsey and his new bride (James Sheldon and Kate Tydman), who are spending their honeymoon in a cottage in Hertfordshire, which Wimsey has recently bought.
In quick succession the audience is introduced to the couple’s butler, the chimney sweep, the local vicar, the gardener and the cleaner, among others – plenty of suspects for what comes next.
When the former owner of the house is discovered dead in a cellar, Lord Wimsey and his wife take a ‘Busman’s honeymoon’ as they seek to solve the mystery of whodunit.
As is to be expected from performances at The Mill, the characters immediately engage with the audience, who are left pondering the hows and whys of the crime.
New pieces of information are gradually introduced, and previous seemingly insignificant details take on a renewed relevance as pieces of the puzzle gradually come together.
A highlight of this performance was the interaction between the cast and how each character was brought to life, from the exuberant sweep (Iain Stuart Robertson) to the awkward police constable (Luke Barton).
Though not exactly full of humour, as befitting the subject matter, a sparkling and convincing performance was given by all.
Mr Blessed said of the play: “Dorothy L Sayers is one of the greatest writers of The Golden Age of British crime fiction. This is her masterpiece! A love story with detective interruptions.
“It is enriched with gorgeous characters that bring delightful humour to the story. And the murder method itself remains the most ingenious ever devised by any crime writer.”
The play is performed with a two-course meal prior to the show. Evening shows run from Wednesdays to Saturdays, there are Saturday and Sunday matinees from this weekend, and an additional Thursday matinee on June 16 and 23.
JUDITH CREIGHTON
