The Grange Players present Mindgame by Anthony Horowitz
Mindgame is a gripping psychological thriller that follows crime writer Mark Styler as he arrives at Fairfields, a remote asylum for the criminally insane, hoping to secure an interview with the notorious serial killer Easterman. Instead, Styler encounters the unsettling Dr. Alex Farquhar and the enigmatic Nurse Paisley, and soon finds himself trapped in a disorienting web of shifting truths, mind games, and psychological manipulation. As reality becomes increasingly unstable, Styler—and the audience—are left questioning what is real, who can be trusted, and whether anyone will make it out unchanged.
Anthony Horowitz’s psychological thriller Mindgame is a play that relies heavily on tension, misdirection, and the ability of its cast to sustain an atmosphere of unease. In The Grange Players’ production, those elements were brought to life very successfully.
The set placed us in a white-walled doctor’s office, filled with the usual paraphernalia—everything from eye tests to a full skeleton. As the audience entered, Mark Styler (Joshua Gallagher) was already on stage, fretting. This set the tone and mood and placed us on edge from the first minute. Lighting was never obtrusive, and interesting sound effects came from the speaker system on stage.
At the centre of the performance was Joshua Gallagher as Mark Styler, delivering a standout portrayal that anchored the entire evening. Gallagher captured Styler’s mix of curiosity, ambition, and growing paranoia with remarkable nuance. His energy never dipped, and he moved through the play’s twists with a pacing and intensity that kept the audience hooked. Whether facing unsettling revelations or navigating the shifting power dynamics, Gallagher’s performance felt grounded and compelling—consistently elevating the material. I’ve had the pleasure of watching Joshua act on the Grange stage before; yes, comedy is always demanding for an actor, but for me this is his best work so far.
Dale Robers as Dr. Alex Farquhar handled the role capably, offering a believable air of professional detachment and eccentricity. Dale contributed a steady presence, especially in the play’s more dialogue-heavy exchanges. At times, the character’s menace could really be felt as the play unfolded.
Sue Davis as Nurse Paisley delivered a good supporting performance. She fulfilled the character’s mysterious and somewhat unsettling function within the narrative—something which is very difficult to do. This is not an easy part! Looking forward to seeing you on stage again soon, Sue.
Finally, the direction. Rod Bissett had the daunting task of maintaining this demanding and emotional psychological production. Light and shade, pace and pauses were all very much employed to keep the audience guessing. Talking to some of the audience after the show highlighted just how successful this production was: most hadn’t guessed the play’s many twists and turns, and all agreed it was a memorable night.
Congratulations to the cast for some exceptional performances, and to the stage crew and director for allowing the play to work as it should, giving the audience plenty to discuss on their way home.
Reviewed by David T.
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