Jack & Sarah - The Mill At Sonning, Reading

This whole experience is quite unique to The Mill, and every time I have been blessed enough to be invited to see a show there, I have absolutely loved it. Although every trip is distinct in its theatrical experience, the food and service part of the package has always been top-notch. This following paragraph has been taken from a previous review I have written, and still very much applies to this occasion.

The Mill at Sonning has one of those stellar reputations - and not without good reason. As one of the few remaining dinner-and-theatre experiences, it offers the kind of outing that feels genuinely distinctive from the moment you arrive. Having previously reviewed productions at this venue, this reviewer can say with complete honesty that, while not every show has been an outright success, the overall calibre of the experience has always compensated for any shortcomings on stage. It is a venue that understands atmosphere, and that alone raises expectations before the show even starts.

That said, the dining experience is so lush and relaxing that the show itself must be engaging from the start in order to keep its audience. It has often been the case, however, that the shows at Sonning have been very slow in the beginning before picking up the pace later. However, this particular production was very different.

Photography: Pamela Raith

Set in modern day London, Jack & Sarah (based on the hit film) follows a couple about to welcome a baby, when tragedy strikes. Jack is left alone to raise his new daughter, but quickly understands that it really does take a village to keep a family afloat. With undertones of heart-breaking grief and guilt, one wouldn’t expect this show to be as life-affirming as it is in reality. Its characters are loveable, to say the least, with everyone’s kind disposition being put to the service of family and the unlikeliest of people coming together to help Jack and his baby through the difficult days.

The acting in this production is simply superb, with George Banks bringing to life Jack in the most beautiful ways: portraying the duality of grief and the innocence of a new father effortlessly. Speaking of ‘unlikeliest of people,’ Rufus Hound plays William, the homeless man who “used to live in the strip until the builders filled it”. Without giving too much of the story away, this character is a man not much different to Jack - one to whom life has been cruel. Hound was extremely touching in this role, with the audience compelled to give him a healing hug at every turn, whilst being just as ready to laugh at his quick wit.

Photography: Pamela Raith

My personal favourite was Anya De Villiers as Amy. This character was a food delivery girl who brought food to the house on the fateful night everything shifted for Jack. Lucky for us, audience members, Amy occasionally plays the guitar and sings - giving us renditions of new country-esque songs (by Duncan Abel and De Villiers, herself) with her angelic vocals.

What I particularly love about this venue is how intimate it is. Aside from the low ceilings throughout the picturesque countryside restaurant and the gorgeous aesthetic, the auditorium itself has but 6 rows of seating. With a stage that rounds off the length of the room, every audience member can’t help but be gripped into the emotional turmoil of the piece. The set design by Terry Parsons is, once again, beautiful. All set in Jack’s house, it starts off in full renovation mode and then transforms into a lovely living room space as the show progresses. It is incredibly clever as one sees the set change but it is so perfectly woven into the piece that one hardly notices the “behind the scenes” effort that can make a show feel under-rehearsed.

As soon as the play ended, and I had cried many a tear, I said to the reviewer next to me that this show felt like a warm hug. And that was exactly it. A true testament to the kindness and generosity of the human spirit, Jack & Sarah is the perfect end to a perfect experience at The Mill.

Production Value: 90%

Value For Money: 90%

Personal Enjoyment: 90%

Overall Score: 90% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5*)

(AD | gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: The Mill At Sonning, Reading

Playing until: 14th June 2026

Run Time: Approximately 2h35 - including a 20 minute interval

Tickets for this show can be found at this link