The Mill, Sonning – until 29 July 2023
Reviewed by Alec Legge
4****
In order to review Issy van Randwyck’s rendition of the lives and music of Billie Holiday, Marilyn Monroe, Patsy Cline, Janis Joplin, Karen Carpenter, Mama Cass and Dusty Springfield I had to travel to the Mill at Sonning, which is near Reading, by train from Paddington. The evening is a package event consisting of a meal and a show so I will include the full experience in this review.
The Mill at Sonning is situated on an island in the Thames and was built in the 18th century as a working flour mill. The surroundings are extremely picturesque. The interior has been lovingly restored and is now a restaurant and theatre with many of the original features, including a working water wheel, We had a hearty buffet meal with several different choices which was excellent, I can heartily recommend the steak pie! There was plenty of time to enjoy the meal before moving to the theatre for the show.
The theatre has 215 seats, a wrap around stage, with the seats rising quite steeply which makes for a good view from all sides. The backing musicians were in view spread around the rear of stage and consisted of a piano, drums. double bass and guitar.
Miss Randwyck came on stage and immediately started with a Billie Holiday song, following which, she sung 4 more of her songs interspersed with a commentary on Billies life and death. She continued on this theme with songs and commentaries on all the other performers I have mentioned.
In all Miss Randwyck sung 28 songs, she is an extremely talented singer and performer and it was a joy to be present at her show.
However whilst I enjoyed her singing I did feel that the overall choice of 6 of her subjects all dying young as a result of a rackety life style and Dusty Springfield who died in her 50’s of cancer, gave a slightly morbid air to the performance.
Not withstanding that proviso, the evening was enjoyable and dinner and theatre at the Mill makes for a a lovely night out.