It has been announced that The Mill at Sonning plans to re-open this autumn with a new series of productions.

The venue has been helped throughout lockdown by donations from locals and well-wishers, including well-known international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney and her husband, actor George.

The theatre will re-open this month with shows including An Evening with Debbie McGee and Just Williams. The capacity has been cut below 100 in order to comply with social distancing regulations, with seating arranged to give the space more of a cabaret feel.

The venue’s 2021 season will include: Alan Ayckbourn’s Relatively Speaking playing from 24 March – 22 May, followed by Dorothy L Sayer’s Busman’s Honeymoon, which will be performed from 27 May – 31 July and directed by the legendary Brian Blessed, then Ray Cooney’s farce Two into One will play from 5 August - 9 October. The season will be completed by a revival of Irving Berlin’s notable musical Top Hat running from 16 October – 31 December, directed by Jonathan O’Boyle.

The Mill has also confirmed plans to re-name its auditorium after Ray Cooney, who has supported the theatre during lockdown.

Artistic Director, Sally Hughes, said: “I owe the most enormous thank you to a very special man – the wonderful Ray Cooney. When we had to close down, he was straight in there with financial aid. He has called me every week during the last five months to see how we are getting on. Next year, I will be producing a special gala night, we are naming the auditorium after him.”

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