Shear Madness: A Clever Twist on Interactive Theatre 

Another wonderful matinee at The Mill at Sonning, which never disappoints. Great food, a lovely atmosphere and, as always, a team of staff who genuinely make you feel welcome from the moment you arrive.

This time we saw Shear Madness. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect and, if I’m honest, the first part had me wondering where it was all going. I even found myself almost nodding off. Then the lights came up, the audience became part of the show, and everything changed.

That’s when you realise just how clever this production really is. Originally based on a play by Paul Pörtner and later developed into one of the longest-running interactive comedies in American theatre, the whole premise is built around audience participation. Every performance is different because the audience questions the suspects, spots clues and ultimately decides who the guilty party is. The cast have to think on their feet, improvising around the audience’s questions and reactions while keeping the story on track. It’s an impressive feat of acting and one that makes every performance unique.

The whole cast deserve a mention because each brought their character to life in their own way. Paul O’Neill, as Nick O’Brien, clearly drew on his experience in Fawlty Towers: The Dining Experience, expertly managing the audience and steering the interactive elements with confidence and quick wit. Jonathan Markwood, as Ed Lawrence, has a commanding stage presence and a distinctive voice that reflects the experience he’s gained in productions such as Peaky Blinders, Coronation Street and Doctors. Daniel Cane was wonderfully over the top as Tony Whitcomb, delightfully hamming up the flamboyant hairdresser with impeccable comic timing, no doubt helped by his pantomime background.

It was also lovely to see Natalie Ogle back at The Mill. I’d previously seen her in Private Lives, and once again she was perfectly cast, delivering the wonderfully poised and quintessentially upper-class Mrs Shubert with style and humour. Rosaleen Burton and Gwithian Evans may have had slightly smaller roles, but both more than held their own alongside the larger characters, contributing excellent comic timing and helping to keep the pace and energy of the production throughout.

A huge thank you to everyone at The Mill at Sonning. It’s one of those rare venues where the hospitality is every bit as memorable as the performance. The staff always look after you so well and make every visit feel special. We’ll definitely be back.