My Fair Lady at The Mill at Sonning

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

There are some theatres that feel less like venues and more like treasured secrets you want to keep all to yourself—yet can’t help telling everyone about. The Mill at Sonning is absolutely one of those places. This beautifully restored 18th-century watermill, sitting right on the Thames with the wheel turning in the bar as you wander in, already sets you up for something rather special. Add in the warm welcome from the team, the famous two-course meal, and the cosy glow of fairy lights, and you’ve got an evening that feels like a gentle exhale from the moment you arrive.

And now, for Christmas, The Mill at Sonning brings us My Fair Lady—and goodness, what a treat it is.

Director Joseph Pitcher, returning fresh from his award-winning Gypsy, proves once again that he understands how to take a beloved classic and give it both heart and sparkle. Everything here feels intimate and wonderfully crafted, as though the show has been tailored precisely for this venue (and honestly, I think it has). The Mill has always championed quality over spectacle, and yet somehow this production manages to be both spectacular and deeply personal at once.

I'm a good girl, I am. Photo credit Pamela Raith

Let’s start with the cast, because they are uniformly excellent. Simbi Akande’s Eliza Doolittle is bright, funny, fierce and vulnerable all at once—her journey feels grounded and human, and her voice is as warm as mulled wine on a frosty evening. Opposite her, Nadim Naaman gives us a Henry Higgins who is not merely the brusque intellectual we often see, but a man whose emotional clumsiness is unexpectedly endearing. And yes—this is absolutely a Higgins you can believe Eliza eventually falls for. Their connection grows so organically that you find yourself smiling before you realise you’ve been drawn in too.

Get me to the Church - Photo credit Pamela Raith

But the unexpected show-stealer? Alfred P. Doolittle, played by Mark Moraghan. Doolittle can so easily be played as a caricature, but Moraghan makes him a genuinely likeable rogue—full of zest, charm, and that irresistible twinkle. Every moment he appears on stage shifts the energy in the room: he’s magnetic, hilarious, and utterly riveting. His “Little bit of luck” is delivered with gleeful earthiness, and “Get Me to the Church on Time” is a proper knees-up that almost brings the audience to its feet.

The costumes by Natalie Titchener deserve their own round of applause. They are sumptuous—beautifully cut, full of textures and thoughtful details that make you want to lean in for a closer look. As ever at The Mill, the craftsmanship is astonishing; each piece looks as though someone cared enough to add one last finishing touch before carrying it to the stage.

This dedication to quality is part of The Mill’s DNA. Still a family-run theatre under Sally Hughes and her son Adam Rolston, the venue continues to champion high production values, sustainability, and a sense of community that many larger theatres would envy. Their green credentials are impressive—the waterwheel powers part of the building, and the theatre continues to invest in environmentally responsible practices. And of course, it’s just amusing enough to mention that George Clooney is, quite literally, the neighbour next door. Only at The Mill.

As always, your ticket includes a two-course meal, now fully waiter-served—no more buffets. The dining experience has had a quiet but elegant step-up: service feels smoother, more refined, and it creates that “whole evening out” feeling that makes The Mill such a gem. This is a glowing, golden, heart-lifting production of a classic musical, delivered with craft, care and a huge amount of joy. Five stars, and then some.

Tickets for My Fair Lady (running 20 November – 17 January) include dinner or lunch and start around the £70–£90 mark depending on the date. For a Christmas outing—whether romantic, friendly, or family—it genuinely feels like extraordinary value.

Booking: You can book directly via the venue at www.millatsonning.com.