Anyone who has previously seen the 1995 film of the same title Jack and Sarah which starred Richard E Grant will know that there’s a strong possibility that you need to come prepared with tissues.

The staged production currently running at The Mill in Sonning stars George Banks in the role of workaholic solicitor Jack. Whose wife Sarah (Lucy Doyle) is three weeks off giving birth to their first child and although everything around her is chaos she’s taking it all in her stride while trying to keep Jack calm at the same time.

There’s no real spoiler alerts if you read any of the Synopsis on this production you will know Sarah doesn’t survive childbirth and Jack faces life torn up by grief and facing fatherhood alone. Which in 1995 lone fathers bringing up a baby wouldn’t have been discussed or thought to have been a real situation.

Banks brings a brilliant performance to The Mill. Every single wave of emotion and frustration can be felt in the auditorium. He misses Sarah deeply and often still talks to her for advice.

Sarah Moyles plays Sarah’s mother who is dealing with her own grief, the joy of being a grandmother and finding herself again through the unlikely befriending of a local homeless man who found himself living on Jack and Sarah’s old mattress in their skip.

William (Rufus Hound) breaks up the chaos and grief with humour he hadn’t planned to be homeless and a drunk his book business just crumbled through his hands.

However, Jack needs to return to work and here we meet the lovely American food delivery lady Amy (Anya de Villiers) who becomes by accident Sarah’s new live in Nanny. Through Jack’s grief he under appreciates and values Amy and their relationship becomes fraught after she overhears him talking to his boss.

Set designer Terry Parsons creates a stage of two halves. The first scene depicts the chaos that the couple are living amongst as the house is being renovated. Complete with outside scaffolding and builders signs hanging up. The second scene offers a calmer and coming together performers home as the finishing touches take place. Parsons recently won the Outstanding Achievement in Pantomime at the UK Pantomime Awards for his fabulous set creations.

There was one scene where Rufus Hound brilliantly adds a unscripted dialogue into the play addressing the rudeness of phones going off during the play. This afternoons performance was particularly plagued, especially notification “pings” this speech earned and unprompted round of applause.

Yet again, The Mill in Sonning has created another memorable play that will have audiences weeping one minute and laughing the next. A truly impressive cast who works closely together and brings the 1995 film to the stage. Definitely one to watch if you get the opportunity.

Five Stars.

Photo credit Pamela Raith.

https://millatsonning.com/

Nat / Alain – Lee White
Sarah / Anna – Lucy Doyle
Jack – George Banks
Phil / Lizzy – Sarah Moyle
William – Rufus Hound
Michael – Neil Roberts
Amy – Anya De Villiers

Writer – Tim Sullivan
Adaptor – Duncan Abel
Director – Abigail Pickard Price
Casting Director – Andrew Lynford
Set Designer – Terry Parsons
Scenic Artist – Natasha Elcox
Costume & Hair Designer – Natalie Titchener
Lighting Design – Mark Dymock
Sound Design – Ella Wahlström
Movement Director – Amy Lawrence