Dame Judi backs campaign to save famous theatre

Dame Judi is the patron of the appeal being run by The Mill at Sonning

A campaign launched by a unique theatre to help pay for vital work has been backed by a host of performers, including Dame Judi Dench.

The Mill at Sonning, on the Berkshire-Oxfordshire border, is the UK's only dinner theatre and doesn't receive any public subsidies.

After a slow summer season it is seeking to raise £125,000, in a campaign backed by patron Dame Judi and other actors including Brian Blessed and Sanjeev Bhaskar.

The theatre relies solely on its box office and said it employs nearly 200 people over a year, including about 100 who work backstage or in its workshop, kitchen and restaurant.

Brian Blessed is also amongst the performers supporting the campaign

"The Mill is a jewel of British theatre," said dame Judi. "Supporting it means keeping something precious alive for future generations."

She was joined in a campaign video by Blessed and Bhaskar, along with other performers Peter Egan, Mark Curry, Debbie Arnold and Debbie McGee.

Recent performers at The Mill have included Eastenders' James Bye, who played Mr Darcy in Death Comes to Pemberley earlier this year.

Based in a Grade II listed building, the theatre's waterwheel was used to mill flour until 1969 and a turbine is used to generate its electricity.

Other fundraising activities include selling off prints signed by Dame Judi and a special fundraising event in November which will star Jeremy Irons, Egan, Curry, Simon Williams and Tam Williams.

Fundraising events will be taking place at the theatre over coming months

The theatre said donations will help cover costs "that are constantly rising" and upgrade its seats and safety systems.

They will also be used to nurture new talent by commissioning new plays and giving actors opportunities, it added.