A Thriller by Edward Taylor
Directed by Sally Hughes

Some people swear the Music Room in Renfield House is haunted. In 1852, Philomel, wife of Sir Richard Camberston had her throat slit while playing the piano. After that the stories started. The sound of sobbing, the piano playing on its own at night, vases flying through the air! And most mysterious of all Philomel's portrait - her face full of fear dripping real blood!

'Stuff and nonsense' thinks the current owner, kit Camberston, who has enough pressing financial problems without worrying about the past. But then ironically a crew arrives to film the house for a TV series about ghosts. They seem a cheerful bunch. Attractive men and women, working colleagues. The banter is easy and the talk charming. But amongst the crew professional and sexual tensions are secretly seething. Soon some will die! And murders will be solved - one of them two hundred years old! THE FACE OF FEAR uses a classic haunted-house story as background to tell a more immediate and more frightening modern story in the foreground - of murder! And evil! And mayhem!

This chilling thriller is by Edward Taylor whose radio and TV credits range from DR FINLAY'S CASEBOOK, THE TWO RONNIES to the Whitehall theatre classic MURDER BY MISADVENTURE.

RAE BAKER (Selina Harris) Rae trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama. She has most recently appeared in her one-woman show at Pizza on the Park and also as a regular in THE BILL playing D.C. Juliet Becker. Her theatre credits include: Chloe Smith in SKIN DEEP, Warehouse Theatre, Croydon. Linda English in PAL JOEY, Nottingham Playhouse. Queen Auoda in AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS, BAC. Marta Heartburn in DICK BARTON, Nottingham Playhouse. Amanda in A SLIGHT HANGOVER, and Suzy in INSIDE JOB at The Mill at Sonning. Rita Hayworth in A SAINT SHE AIN'T, Apollo, West End and Kings Head Theatre. GUYS AND DOLLS and the WINTERS TALE, Royal National Theatre. Miss Fletcher in Sondeim's SATURDAY NIGHT, the Bridewell Theatre. Ms Kendell in THE ELEPHANT MAN, Opera Market. JEKYLL, Churchill Theatre, Bromley. OLIVER, Sadlers Wells. WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND, Lilian Bayliss Theatre. ON A CLEAR DAY, Barbican. Other TV credits include: REAL WOMEN, ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, BIRDS OF A FEATHER, GOODNIGHT SWEETHEART, JONATHON CREEK, ED STONE IS DEAD and TURKISH DELIGHT all for BBC. NIGHT AND DAY, BIG BAD WORLD and SAMS GAME all for LWT. FAMILY AFFAIRS (C5) and MARAT/SLADE (Independent TV). In the new year she will be joining THE BILL as a regular PC for ITV. Rae's film work includes: THE SHADOW RUN opposite Michael Caine, Shinada in the new Sci-fi series ICE PLANET.

ABI HARRIS (Terri Coleman) Abi trained at Rose Bruford College where she played Rosalind in AS YOU LIKE IT; Livia in WOMEN BEWARE WOMEN; Ranyevskaya in THE CHERRY ORCHARD; Clytaemnestra in ELECTRA; Judy in SORE THROATS and the leading roles in ANTIGONE and NANA. Abi's previous theatre work includes Polly Garter, Mae Rose Cottage, Mrs Beynon and other roles in UNDER MILK WOOD (Old Sorting Office, Barnes); The Dream Woman in THE LAST DREAM (Sherman, Cardiff); Janice in THE FINISHING SCHOOL (Nuffield Studio) and understudy for Eileen in OVER THE MOON (Old Vic). Her other work includes Ellen in BOTTLED UP for TAPS new writers and The Dream Woman in THE LAST DREAM for HTV/Penderyn Films. She directed ASHA'S STORY for Asian Arts Access and has also directed THE WIZARD OF OZ, JACK AND THE BEANSTALK and BUGSY MALONE in schools. Abi is currently training for the London Marathon which she is running in aid of The Actors' Charitable Trust.

MICHAEL CHEYNEY (Peter Sims) Born in the Hertfordshire and raised in London, Michael went to drama school at Breton Hall and has a BA (Hons) in Theatre Arts. His theatre work includes two productions at London's Bridewell Theatre, THE REVENGER'S TRAGEDY directed by Joss Ben Nathan and TCHAIKOVSKY IN THE PARK for Nick Philips and ANTIGONE at the Hen and Chickens. Michael has enjoyed working with directors like Philip Goodhew and Caleb Lindsay on their films INTIMATE RELATIONS and UNDERSTANDING JANE respectively. Other films include, DRIVEN, BASH and CHRONICLES OF THE COUNT. His television credits include episodes of THE BILL and LONDON'S BURNING. Michael lives in London with his wife, his cat and his collection of 'Beatles' memorabilia.

RYAN ROMAIN (Joe) Ryan trained at The Anna Scher Theatre. Theatre includes: Inspector Foot in AFTER MAGRITTE (Watermans Arts Centre), Panchin in THE MADMAN OF THE BALCONIES (The Gate Theatre), Claxton in THE SONG OF AN HONOURARY SOULMAN (The Shaw Theatre), Allwit in A CHASTE MAID IN CHEAPSIDE (The Old Red Lion), Martin in BLACK DOVE (Wimbledon Studio), Haydn in SUNNYSIDE UP (Soho Theatre), Daniel in THE DAY THE BRONX DIED (Tricycle Theatre) and Warren Wallis in A FOOT IN THE DOOR (here at Sonning). Television includes: Dave in BLACK BRITAIN (BBC), Tony Lawrence in THE BILL (ITV), M.T in MONEY TALKS (BBC), Michael Davis in ROUGH JUSTICE (BBC), P C Webster in DREAM TEAM (Sky TV), David in THE DEATH OF KLINGHOFFER (Blast Films) and Dougie Rose in DOCTORS (BBC). He has appeared in many short films including: THE CONCRETE GARDEN, TRAPPED and RUBBER BISCUIT.

NICK WARING (Sir Christopher Camberston) Nick Waring graduated from Cambridge University and trained at Central. Theatre includes: Title role in THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (No. 1 Tour), Tony Orford in STAR QUALITY (No. 1 Tour), Lord Alfred Douglas in GROSS INDECENCY (Plymouth and West End), Blake in THE WAITING GAME (Mill at Sonning Theatre), Werewolf/Clovis in BEASTLY CHRONICLES OF SAKI (Jermyn Street Theatre), Algernon in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Salisbury Playhouse) Romeo in ROMEO AND JULIET and SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER (Harrogate), Konstantin in THE SEAGULL (Theatr Clwyd) for which he was nominated for the Ian Charleson award, Backbite in THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL (Clwyd), Simon Bliss in HAY FEVER (Clwyd and West End), Tom Jones in TOM JONES (Coventry), UNDER MILK WOOD (Shaw Theatre), HAMLET (Avignon Festival), LIBERATION OF SKOPJE (Riverside), MISALLIANCE (Clwyd and Birmingham) D'Artagnan in THE THREE MUSKETEERS (No. 1 Tour), Clive in AFTER OCTOBER (Chichester and Greenwich) THE UNBLEST (King's Head) and International Tour of ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA with Vanessa Redgrave. TV includes: OUT OF THE PAST, ELLINGTON, MERCHANT OF VENICE, LONDON'S BURNING, BUGS, THE BILL, HARRY ENFIELD AND CHUMS, HOLBY CITY and DOCTORS. Films include: Gary in WHEN SATURDAY COMES, JoJo in BIG PANTS, William in THE ASYLUM.

SALLY HUGHES (Artistic Director) Sally spent her early years in Venezuela and Argentina and after finishing her education in England, she then trained for the stage as an actress at The Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. On graduating she was given her first engagement by John Fernald who directed her in COMING OF AGE. Then followed ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN at The Bush and CATCHPENNY TWIST at The King's Head Theatre. In 1984 Sally took over the post of Artistic Director of The Mill At Sonning from Peter Egan and has directed and appeared in many of its productions, including DAMES AT SEA (an excerpt of which was included in The Royal Gala Performance in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales), and most recently she appeared as Ginger Mercer in the musical TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS. The most recent plays Sally has directed at The Mill are ALL FOR MARY, WHO KILLED SANTA CLAUS, INSIDE JOB, A FOOT IN THE DOOR and POOLS PARADISE. Sally enjoys a career outside of The Mill and has played leading parts in the BBC series LATE EXPECTATIONS and LAURA AND DISORDER in which she played Wendy Craig's daughter-in-law. Other TV appearances include: DON'T WAIT UP, KEEPING UP APPEARANCES, BRUSHSTROKES & MULBERRY. Sally directed the National Tour of PASTIMES, starring Rosemary Leach and William Gaunt and also directed BAREFOOT IN THE PARK by Neil Simon at the Jermyn Street Theatre in the West End. Last year Sally appeared in TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS, at the King's Head, London.

JACQUELINE HUTSON (Set Designer) Jacqueline Hutson trained in Theatre Design at Wimbledon School of Art. Previous designs for The Mill include: STEPPING OUT, THE RAINMAKER, THE MAINTENANCE MAN, THE LITTLE HUT, PASTIMES, THE BUSINESS OF MURDER, KISS MY AUNT, NOEL & GERTIE, BORN YESTERDAY, LOVE'S A LUXURY, LEND ME A TENOR, THE WAITING GAME, DON'T ROCK THE BOAT, DEAD GUILTY, WORM'S EYE VIEW, LAURA, A BEDFULL OF FOREIGNERS, SAY WHO YOU ARE, LAYING THE GHOST, THE PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY, ONE FOR THE POT, THE PERFECT PENSION PLAN, KISS OF DEATH , DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER, WIFE BEGINS AT FORTY, DON'T JUST LIE THERE, SAY SOMETHING!, MAKE ME A MATCH, A SLIGHT HANGOVER, ALL FOR MARY, MOVE OVER MARKHAM, INSIDE JOB and BOYS WILL BE BOYS.

JANE KIDD (Costume Designer) Jane who is our Resident Costume Designer, trained in Fashion Design at Berkshire College of Art. She freelanced in knitwear and dress design for five years before joining The Mill as Wardrobe Mistress, and enjoys a variety of making both period and modern costumes of which she has made many whilst at The Mill. Some of Jane's recent costume designs include TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS, FUNNY ABOUT LOVE, MY THREE ANGELS, INSIDE JOB, SEASON'S GREETINGS, BUILDING BLOCKS, A FOOT IN THE DOOR, POOLS PARADISE, BOYS WILL BE BOYS, THE MATING GAME, WRITE ME A MURDER, A PASSIONATE WOMAN, FUNNY MONEY and JUST BETWEEN OURSELVES.

ROSLYN NASH (Lighting Designer) Roslyn trained at Mountview Theatre School and has worked at The Mill for over ten years. She started as Technical Assistant and now has the pleasure of being the Production Manager. Over the years she has been given the opportunity to light many of the productions - a few recent ones include: FUNNY BUSINESS, MY THREE ANGELS, SEASON'S GREETINGS, A FOOT IN THE DOOR, POOLS PARADISE, BOYS WILL BE BOYS, THE MATING GAME, WRITE ME A MURDER, A PASSIONATE WOMAN, FUNNY MONEY and JUST BETWEEN OURSELVES.

EDWARD TAYLOR (Playwright) Edward Taylor grew up in Southend, on the Thames Estuary, where he acquired his love of the sea. He still aims to be in it or on it as often as possible. He wrote and performed in the 1955 CAMBRIDGE FOOTLIGHTS REVUE, which played in London with great success. He was then invited to join the BBC on a twelve-month contract. He accepted and stayed for thirty-six years. Edward's 3,214 productions for the BBC included many classic series - among them ROUND THE HORNE, JUST A MINUTE, I'M SORRY I'LL READ THAT AGAIN, DOES THE TEAM THINK, and DR FINLAY'S CASEBOOK. He also wrote scripts for Morecambe and Wise, Arthur Askey, Harry Worth, The Two Ronnies, and others too humorous to mention. His two activities combined when he created, wrote, and produced THE MEN FROM THE MINSTRY, which ran on the BBC for fifteen years, and is still enjoyed overseas. In the 1990's, Edward resumed writing for the stage. His farce, PARDON ME, PRIME MINISTER, written with John Graham, achieved two national tours and remains a favourite with amateurs. Another farce, A RISE IN THE MARKET, is widely performed throughout Europe. And his first thriller, MURDER BY MISADVENTURE, sandwiched a long London run between five national tours. He's delighted to have his second thriller, THE FACE OF FEAR, premiered at Sonning, beside his favourite river. A new spine-chiller, DIE LAUGHING, is awaiting production.