Stepping away from the traditional plays that The Mill usually produces. Shear Madness by Paul Pörtner offers entertainment and an interactive section when the audience becomes the “jury” in this crazy whoduunit comedy. It runs until 15th August 2026.

The scene of the murder is set in a fictional hair salon in an upmarket village in Berkshire close to The Mill, called Shear Madness. It’s another busy day in the salon well, “sort of.” Not sure it would actually stay afloat in the “real world. ” We meet a couple of regulars and a couple of drop ins.

Tony Whitcomb (Daniel Cane) is the stereotypical camp hairdresser and salon manager along with his fellow stylist, Rosaleen Burton’s whose performance, as Barbara McMarley is funny and her dry witt is as sharpbas her scissors!

Gwithian Evans tajes on the role of detective Mike Thomas and his less enthusiastic sidekick, Constable Nick (Paul O’Neill). Evans spent a lot of time taking our questions and ideas, although some of us were quite involved, and he had his work cut out, keeping “us” in order at times.

Which of the people in the salon has murdered the lady upstairs? Definitively, we never actually know as the outcome is different every time as the audience makes the ultimate decision after all the evidence is gathered.

How much entertainment you get from this play depends on the audience on the day and how much you are willing to participate. As “we” are invited to question everything we have seen in the lead up to the fateful event. Which even meant the police under scrutiny in our audience.

This is definitely going to be a play that will divide audiences. Some will love it others, not so much. Personally, I had a laugh and joined in with suggestions and arguing with the accused group on the stage. However, every performance will be slightly different with a different outcome each time the audience decides. Technically, you could see this more than once and have a different experience each visit.

For more information about Shear Madness and future productions at The Mill Sonning, please use the link below.

Four Stars.

Photo credit Pamela Raith.

https://millatsonning.com/Events/shear-madness/

Cast: Rosaleen Burton,

Daniel Cane,

Gwithian Evans,

Jonathan Markwood,

Natalie Ogle,

Paul O’Neill.

Directed by Sally Hughes.

Set Designer Alex Marker
Costume & Hair Design Natalie Titchener
Lighting Design Graham Weymouth
Sound Design Henry Horn
Casting Director Kate Plantin.