Where better to spend a glorious afternoon in October than in the beautiful setting of The Mill in Sonning to review their latest production It’s Her Turn Now by Ray Cooney and adapted by Michael J Barfoot.

All the action takes place in suite 648 at the Westminster Hotel a stone’s throw from the Houses of Parliament where Conservative Minister Mrs Willey (Elizabeth Elvin) is going to attend an all-night sitting to tackle the opposition and support the Prime Minister.

However, the political comedy farce isn’t clear-cut. Mrs Rebecca Willey is having an affair with John Worthington (Raphael Bar) a Labour special adviser. Who plans to have a secret liaison under the guise of being at work for the night. However, it turns out to be a busy night minus the passion.

Upon opening the curtains the couple discovered a body hanging half into the room (Charlie Parker Swift). Neither of them recognised him they decided to hang him in the Closet. Well, where else would a Member of Parliament put something they find uncomfortable to deal with?

James Holmes in the role of the Hotel Waiter is openly honest in his exploitation of the entire situation. His tips increase the deeper the problem gets and the pressure rises. In a normal life, he probably earned his month’s salary in the tips dished out by everyone as he fetches and carries all night.

Rebecca and John’s husband and wife enter the scenario. Tracey Worthington (Michelle Morris) is a woman possessed and from the glint in her eyes at times looks ready to kill. Yet Mr Willey (Eric Carte) is completely oblivious that anything is going on around him.

All the while Georgia Pigden (Felicity Duncan) the MP’s parliamentary secretary is called to help sort out the mess while in turn ends up being caught in the middle and taking the blame. I felt incredibly sorry for her as the character didn’t appear to know how to cheat and lie let alone have an affair with a married affair.

Taking a lot of comedy side-swipes at the current Government throughout the performance. On one occasion Mrs.Willey said that “the government will pay” when she ordered champagne and oysters from room service. Although comedy value it brings into question how much money is wasted on MP unnecessary expenses. For example, a rented suite when you’re supposed to be working somewhere else all night!

My advice is to try and keep up from the beginning and watch out for that deadly sash window as it appears to have a life of its own.

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Five Stars.

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