The Mill at Sonning Theatre, Reading – until 30th December 2022
Reviewed by Amber Mills
5*****
Warmly welcoming me to The Mill at Sonning Theatre was Sally Hughes, (the Managing and Artistic Director). It’s the complete package here at The Mill at Sonning. The experience included a two-course buffet in which they cater to gluten and dairy allergies. The food was divine and the staff was very accommodating, generous and polite.
The Mill at Sonning Dinner Theatre launched the first Hydro Electric Scheme to be powered by the natural resources of The River Thames. This scheme generates enough electric energy for the theatre’s lights, the restaurant dining rooms, bars, ovens, as well as backstage corridors, dressing rooms, wardrobe areas, set construction workshops, and control box, in addition to its many, many offices. So as well as being a beautiful vintage building it is also Eco friendly.
This semi-round theatre seats 215 people. Bearing in mind how small this theatre is, the Top Hat set/ stage design is classy, with an imaginative art deco design. The set designer Jason Denvir has done an excellent job to factor in every little detail to do with the show. I know the director Johnathan O’Boyle wanted to make sure they could still change the set twelve times in each act seamlessly from New York to London, and then to the Lido in Venice. I think how the stage has been designed is very clever and imaginative and still conveys the story clearly to the audience.
As well as the set design, the lighting is simple but effective and it complements the actors. The costumes were classy and very well thought out to suit each character’s personality. In addition the make-up and hair yesterday were immaculate.
In my personal opinion, I thought the show was very sophisticated and glamorous with seamless scene changes. Every one of the ensemble, multi-roled depending on what country they were in. There was never a dull moment as there were always characters either moving set or dancing.
Top Hat is predominantly a tap-heavy show and I thought the choreography was imaginative and intricate. The ensemble all moved as one and every dance number was slick, smooth, and stylish.
I especially enjoyed watching Jonny Labey who played Jerry Travers. Every time he tapped it looked like he was floating on air. I feel he really embraced the tap-dancing magic of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. He just glides across the floor effortlessly and is a pleasure to watch.
Top Hat features fourteen of Irving Berlin’s famous songs such as “Cheek to Cheek“, “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and “Let’s Face the Music and Dance“. These iconic songs were sung with class and elegance in the show. I especially loved when Billie-Kay, who plays Dale Tremont sang “Better Luck Next Time”, as she has a luxurious legit sounding voice which emotionally moved me.
Top Hat also has many comedic moments and I personally found Beddini played by Andy Rees really amusing.
Overall I think Top Hat is a flawless production and I thoroughly recommend it