Agatha Christie's The Mirror Crack'd has seen its theatre tour extended into 2023 by Original Theatre in association with JAS Theatricals, which will see the production head to Kingston's cultural hub, the Rose Theatre.

The brand-new production of Rachel Wagstaff's acclaimed adaptation is directed by Philip Franks. The UK Tour opened on 9 September 2022 and has already been met with glowing reviews.

The Mirror Crack'd was published in the UK in 1962 and adapted as a feature film in 1980.

In 1960's England, a wind of change is blowing through the land which has even reached the sleepy village of St Mary Mead. There is a new housing estate which alarms the villagers as much as it intrigues them, and even more unsettling, a rich American film star has brought the Manor House.

Jane Marple, confined to a chair after an accident, is wondering if life has passed her by. Then there is a shocking murder, and Miss Marple must unravel a web of lies, danger and tragedy. This adaptation of Agatha Christie's famous novel brings real emotional depth and psychological insight to a thrilling story of secrets, loss and revenge.

The Mirror Crack'd stars Susie Blake as Miss Marple, Sophie Ward as Marina Gregg, Joe McFadden as Jason Rudd, Oliver Boot as Chief Inspector Craddock, Veronica Roberts as Dolly Bantry, Mara Allen as Cherry Baker, Sarah Lawrie as Ella Zielinsky, Lorenzo Martelli as Guiseppe Renzo, Jules Melvin as Heather Leigh, David Partridge as Cyril Leigh, Chrystine Symone as Lola Brewster and Holly Smith in the ensemble.

Susie Blake is best known for playing the Continuity Announcer in Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV, as well as her regular roles of Bev Unwin in ITV's Coronation Street and Hillary Nicholson in BBC's Mrs Brown's Boys.

When questioned on whether Miss Marple was on her list of roles to play, the actress said: "Yes, since the 1960s when I saw Margaret Rutherford playing her. That character performance immediately drew you in. I loved her also in other films.

"I know she's not fashionable now, but I absolutely loved her and thought that's what I want to do with my life - to tell stories and be part of mysteries because every play is a mystery, isn't it? You don't know what's going to happen until the end. So yes, I've always wanted to play Miss Marple."

Sophie Ward has most recently been seen in the BBC's A Very British Scandal opposite Claire Foy and Paul Bettany, BBC/HBO Max's Troubled Blood – an adaptation of J.K. Rowling's hugely popular novel of the same name, and This Sceptred Isle, playing the role of Rachel Johnson, opposite Kenneth Branagh's Boris Johnson. For the past four years, Sophie has hosted the European Diversity Awards and works closely alongside Stonewall.

Commenting on her role within the production, Sophie added: "I've had the opportunity to do lots of different parts. Marina is very much a movie star with all the charm and challenges that can bring. I'm thrilled to be playing her."

Joe McFadden's television credits include Raffaello Di Lucca in Holby City from 2014 to 2020, Alistair in Casualty in 2009, PC Joe Mason in Heartbeat from 2007 to 2009, Jack Marshland in Cranford, Dallas in Sex, Chips & Rock'n'roll, Prentice McHoan in The Crow Road and Gary McDonald in The High Road.

Commenting on the attraction of taking up a role within an Agatha Christie story, the 2017 Strictly Come Dancing winner said: "They are so rich, there's so much in there and it really keeps you guessing. It's not so much a whodunnit as a social commentary.

"The Mirror Crack'd is, as I've discovered this week, about mental health. At the time it was written Agatha Christie was very much ahead of the curve. It's a real examination of this movie star Marina and how when you get to a certain age you're not in the running for the parts and are cast aside. It's about the tragedy and unfairness of that.

"My character adores Marina and will do anything to protect her. We discover he's been there for her in the past but you're not sure what his motives are and, as is the way with Christie, discover he's not all he seems to be by the end of the evening. So it's really great charting how much you show to an audience and who the red herrings are."

The Mirror Crack'd will tour across the UK including York, Oxofrd, Northampton, Cambridge and Birmingham before arriving in Kingston at the Rose from the 21 – 25 February 2023.

Tickets can be purchased here.