Villagers team up to save unique theatre

The Mill at Sonning is the UK's only dinner theatre

A group of villagers have pulled together to secure the future of a unique theatre which was at risk after rising costs and a slow summer.

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

It launched a campaign last month, backed by actors including Dame Judi Dench, Brian Blessed and Sanjeev Bhaskar, to raise £125,000.

But a group of Sonning residents have grouped together to pay for vital work to its waterwheel and other improvements.

"Some wonderful people in the village – nobody famous, just people who love coming to The Mill – gathered together and formed what we're calling a little consortium to support The Mill and see it through with some funds," The Mill's managing director Sally Hughes said.

"It means that we can produce the most wonderful Christmas show for everyone and go into the New Year with great confidence."

Rehearsals for My Fair Lady, which is scheduled to run from 20 November until 17 January 2026, start on Monday.

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.

"We have got a fabulous programme for next year. There's something for everybody and now I feel I can sleep at night," Mrs Hughes added.

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.