The Mill in Sonning has excelled itself to round off 2025 with an exceptional adaptation of the classic musical My Fair Lady. From the moment you enter the auditorium and see the stage backdrop you feel you are about to watch something special.

Simbi Akande in the role of the flower seller Eliza Doolittle seeks out the help of Henry Higgins (Nadim Naaman) after a chance meeting while she was selling her flowers. Eliza wants to be able to speak “proper” and fit in. Although she realises too late that she isn’t sure where she belongs.

A special mention goes to James William-Pattison whose main character is Harry. Although he plays various other roles and also plays the banjo and guitar during the musical. Each role he takes in his stride and never misses a beat.

It’s the attention to details that make this production of My Fair Lady stand out. I was impressed with the day at the races scene where the male aristocracy double up as the jockeys. It’s not an obvious dual performance as the suited and booted male race goers look splendid in their grey suits and bowler hats. Look closely and you see each one is wearing different “jockey silk” colours and observe the hemline at the bottom of the suit trousers, it’s these details in each costume change that left me in awe of the creative talents of the costume designer Natalie Titchener.

This isn’t to say I didn’t admire the costume changes of Eliza Doolittle as she elevates into another social class and struggles to understand where she now belongs. But Titchener‘s talents go into another realm of detail that isn’t often captured so perfectly.

Alongside the director and co-choreographer Joseph Pitcher, they add a touch of class and charm to the 70-year-old classic. Pitcher brings out the best in each performer from the main cast to the ensemble who all work incredibly hard.

When a production offers an abundance of talented performers and creatives each one deserves to be credited, which would make for a boring and repetitive review. There isn’t a single weak link to be found and their rapport on stage is strong. A production that everyone involved with deserves to be proud of.

Deservedly this current production has almost sold out and it’s only been running for about a week, and the upcoming audiences are in for a treat. I would highly recommend checking out the remaining availability and treating yourself to a high-quality adaptation of My Fair Lady.

For more information about My Fair Lady and The Mill Sonning which offers a cosy, comfortable and unique dining theatre experience on a dark Winter’s night.

Five Stars.

Photo credit Pamela Raith.

https://millatsonning.com/