Spinning Wheel Theatre

John Peel Centre, Stowmarket

24th October 2014

A crime writer visits an asylum, apparently to interview a serial killer but it is clear from the very beginning that things are not quite what they seem. Perfectly timed for the darkening days, Spinning Wheel Theatre’s production of Anthony Horowitz’s Mindgame wraps coils of plot around the audience in an enthralling constriction which unnerves as much as it entertains.

A tale set within a single space and time frame may suggest a plot which slowly builds to a single crescendo but Mindgame is built on shifting sands which constantly deceive and mislead the audience. The performances of Joe Leat as the writer Styler, and Tom Leeper as Dr Farquhar gripped from the start, the tension they created garotting terror from the narrative and enthralling the near capacity John Peel Centre audience. The mental and emotional struggle which developed between them was brutal, despite rarely becoming physical, and Leat’s humiliating disintegration from terse, swaggering author to shambling, confused chaotic was an engrossing reduction, provoked by Leeper’s chilling switches from leering banter to psychotic confrontation.

There was a feeling of ambition to this production in which the use of jarring, unsettling music felt more like a movie soundtrack than a theatrical score. It worked equally well whether pointing the emotional direction of the action or counterpointing what was being said. Similarly having Leat wait on stage for fully ten minutes before the house lights went down and then, even when they had, having him not speak for several minutes more, was a brave choice by Director Amy Wyllie but one which prompted the unsettling atmosphere of expectation which made this production so enjoyable.

Whilst when reviewing a production of this type it might normally be considered impolite to include plot spoilers in the case of Mindgame this is not strictly necessary as such were its strengths and pace that even a thorough knowledge of the plot would barely detract from the enjoyment. Nevertheless I will limit myself to saying that the twists are difficult to spot until they are upon you and the finale deliciously ambiguous. A genuine thriller and perfect theatrical fare for this time of year.

Steve Hawthorne

Mindgame continues its tour at: Tues 28th Oct (Samuel Ward Academy, Haverhill) Wed 29th Oct (Newmarket Memorial Hall)Thur 30th Oct (Felsham Village Hall)Fri 31st Oct (Mildenhall Village Hall)Sat 1st Nov (Bardwell Tithe Barn). Details at www.spinningwheeltheatre.com