Jonny Lee Miller in A Mirror at The Almeida - review with photos

Jonny Lee Miller of Trainspotting and Elementary fame returns to the stage in a tense, funny attack on censorship. Paul Seven Lewis gives his uncensored view of Sam Holcroft's new play in which the audience is immersed in the world of a totalitarian state that controls culture.
Micheal Ward from Top Boy makes his professional stage debut alongside Tanya Reynolds from Sex Education and Geoffrey Streatfeild.
A Mirror is directed by Jeremy Herrin with a set design by Max Jones and music composed by Nick Powell and played by cellist Miriam Wakeling.
A Mirror ran at the Almeida Theatre in London until 23 September 2023. It transferred to the Trafalgar Theatre in the West End until Saturday 20 April 2024.
Production photos used in this review are by Marc Brenner.
Paul was given a review ticket by the theatre.
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[@ninokekenadze2708]

This was one of the best performances I have seen in my life , it's definetly 10/10!

[@TheatreReviewsWithPaulSeven]

So good to see him back on stage

[@kiribackhouse7914]

Just saw this tonight at Trafalgar and I really liked it! Tanya was incredible and JLM was a sight to behold. The cellist added so much to the vibe. I agree with you that it wasnt a 'new' take but it was funny, fast-paced and had a well done twist at the end. I think I mostly loved the thought that went into JLMs character being part of this 1984 Ministry and upholding the societal gaslighting but occassionally admitting it all so you know he didnt drink the kool-aid, he's just a cynical player - which is arguably worse.

[@noondarkly]

Saw this at the Trafalgar Theatre a week ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Coming from Hungary I'm accustomed to very high standards of theatre but the acting in this one was absolutely stellar and the direction held my attention from start to finish. First time seeing the sensational JLM on stage but really hoping it wasn't the last! And may I just add, the subject matter of the play would make this 100% topical in Hungary, which is on the brink of turning into a dictatorship. State supported theatres thrive while anything that goes against the government's skewed policies are literally bled to death. If the UK talks about censorship, just read into what's happening here 😢

[@TheatreReviewsWithPaulSeven]

Thanks for that pertinent comment

[@postmanpat2964]

I love The Almeida. I love how they don't charge an arm and a leg for tickets and they put on some wonderful plays. Are you going to see Portia Coughlan?

[@TheatreReviewsWithPaulSeven]

I hope to. There’s no theatre I trust more than The Almeida to put on a good production.

[@singlelegstretch]

This was a no for me. It sounded as though it would be quite fascinating but it did not throw any new light on the subject of censorship at all, as far as i could see. The cast did their level best with the material, and i agree Micheal Ward, made a very good debut. The staging was one of the least imaginative that i have seen at the Almeida (perhaps intentionally?) and the raids that interrupt the proceedings were clumsily handled and seemed to leave the audience indifferent to say the least. Its always a game of roulette when seeing a new play I just wish this had been as exciting.

[@TheatreReviewsWithPaulSeven]

Thanks for offering that different perspective. I didn’t feel that way myself but a couple of major critics (Times and Telegraph) took a similar view to you. Maybe I don’t expect original thought. Ijust liked the way it was done including the commentary on acting and the way the power of Shakespeare liberates one of the main characters.

[@27agrace]

Are you related to the actor Angus Wright? Absolutely uncanny!

[@TheatreReviewsWithPaulSeven]

Not that I know of, but by a spooky coincidence I think I saw him in the audience last Monday at the Dorfman watching Till The Stars Come Down.

[@andrewstorm8240]

However tickets are always hard are to get.

[@TheatreReviewsWithPaulSeven]

I wonder if it might be worth becoming a member and getting priority booking. Given that pretty much every production is worth seeing, the cost of £70 would add 10% or less to a top price pair of tickets for a year of shows.