Review: MY FAIR LADY, The Mill at Sonning
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
The Mill at Sonning, known for its picturesque setting and intimate, high-quality productions, has truly outdone itself with its latest offering: Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s enduring classic, My Fair Lady.
Director and co-choreographer Joseph Pitcher has successfully captured the charm, nostalgia, and sheer grandeur of the original while celebrating the talents of a vibrant cast and creative team. The result is a five-star experience that delights from start to finish.
The success of any My Fair Lady revival rests entirely on its central pairing, and here, the Mill has struck gold. Simbi Akande’s transformation as Eliza Doolittle is a masterclass in physical and vocal evolution. Her initial Cockney street-seller is perfectly robust and fiercely independent, but her subsequent transition to the elegant lady is seamless and deeply felt, vocally soaring on a magnificent ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’. Opposite her, Nadim Naaman is a brilliantly infuriating Professor Henry Higgins. Naaman balances arrogant wit with a humourous script. Their dynamic anchors the entire show, making the language lessons and witty sparring genuinely captivating.
The supporting cast is equally stellar, providing the necessary warmth, comedy and ballast for Higgins's antics. Mark Moraghan brings a lovable, roguish quality to Alfred P. Doolittle, commanding the stage and stealing the show with a raucous, crowd-pleasing rendition of ‘Get Me to the Church on Time’ and ‘With a Little Bit of Luck’. Sophie-Louise Dann provides the necessary gravitas and maternal strength as the formidable Mrs. Higgins, delivering sharp commentary with impeccable elegance. Jo Servi is the perfect diplomatic counterpoint as Colonel Pickering, and Alfie Blackwell’s sweetly sincere Freddy Eynsford-Hill delivers a wonderfully wistful ‘On The Street Where You Live’, capturing the essence of romantic longing. Francesca Ellis is an excellent Mrs Pearce whilst doubling up as other characters throughout the show - she is certainly busy - alongside a formidable and top notch ensemble who are all five star in their own right. Special mention to Zaynah Ahmed, Imogen Bailey, Will Foggin, Emma Fraser, Nadia Kramer, Conor McFarlane, Christopher Parkinson and James William-Pattison.
Joseph Pitcher ensures that the scale of the production never feels constrained by the intimate theatre space. The co-choreography is inventive and the entire ensemble moves with precision and energy, selling every scene from the street market bustle to the opulence of the Embassy ball. Charlie Ingles’ expert orchestrations and fresh arrangements, brought to life by musical director Nick Tudor, imbue the iconic score with a fresh, crisp sound while retaining its sweeping, romantic quality.
This production of My Fair Lady is more than just a revival; it’s a perfectly scaled intimate piece that feels warm, funny and beautifully sung. It confirms that the Mill at Sonning remains one of the finest destinations for quality regional theatre.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Ryan Bishop