Gypsy 2023 - The Mill at Sonning

[ruthieh]

Went this afternoon.

I really enjoyed this. Outstanding performances by Rebecca Thornhill as Mama Rose and Evelyn Hoskins at Louise. I know the musical fairly well, but went with 5 friends who didn’t know it…all of us enjoyed this show.

Also, first visit to to The Mill…won’t be the last. What a lovely venue…

[Someone in a tree]

That's fantastic to hear, I now can't wait for my visit.

Do you what the running time is? Please and thanks

[ruthieh]

Jun 3, 2023 18:32:29 GMT Someone in a tree said:

That's fantastic to hear, I now can't wait for my visit.

Do you what the running time is? Please and thanks

Started at 2-25 finished just before 5. Restaurant opened at 12-15 for lunch beforehand. 

[BurlyBeaR]

I think many of us (me) would like to know what you had for your tea and how was it? 😋

[ruthieh]

Jun 3, 2023 19:09:57 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

I think many of us (me) would like to know what you had for your tea and how was it? 😋

Buffet main course…choice of beef pie, roast pork, sea trout and/or veggie tart, loads of veg or salad…followed by rhubarb Bakewell, chocolate mousse, bread & butter pud or cheese and crackers! 

I went for pork, a little bit of pie, veg, followed by the rhubarb Bakewell…lovely. Can’t move now! 

[Someone in a tree]

Thanek ruthieh the trout and bakewell has a name all over it.

I guessing the buffet doesn't serve egg rolls?!

[ruthieh]

They missed a trick with no chow mien and egg rolls!

[Someone in a tree]

The food was rather tasty. For £67.50 we got two courses, coffee, programmes and a show - brilliant value.

The trio of Evelyn Hoskins, Rebecca Thornhill and Daniel Crowder was inspired casting. D made Herbie an actual character and not just a piece of furniture. E was channelling Carrie, and the brooding elements worked so well. R was vulnerable and energetic. I was expecting a cartwheel during Rose's turn - all thrilling stuff that made me blub!.

The production would feel at home in the Menier.

So many things to admire such as young Louise having the odd appearance later on and the locations printed onto suitcases and a tablecloth. Although at the end of the day, it's a classic portrayal of this legendary show and this production is very funny and zips along.

Geek stuff - The reprise of Some People and the landlord bit is cut.

[ruthieh]

Jun 11, 2023 8:32:43 GMT Someone in a tree said:

The food was rather tasty. For £67.50 we got two courses, coffee, programmes and a show - brilliant value.

The trio of Evelyn Hoskins, Rebecca Thornhill and Daniel Crowder was inspired casting. D made Herbie an actual character and not just a piece of furniture. E was channelling Carrie, and the brooding elements worked so well. R was vulnerable and energetic. I was expecting a cartwheel during Rose's turn - all thrilling stuff that made me blub!.

The production would feel at home in the Menier.

So many things to admire such as young Louise having the odd appearance later on and the locations printed onto suitcases and a tablecloth. Although at the end of the day, it's a classic portrayal of this legendary show and this production is very funny and zips along.

Geek stuff - The reprise of Some People and the landlord bit is cut.

…and did you go for the trout and Bakewell?!

[Someone in a tree]

I did. I particularly liked the Bakewell

[asps2017]

What if these don’t sell near the day? Any chance of them being reduced?

[Dr Tom]

Jun 11, 2023 8:32:43 GMT Someone in a tree said:

For £67.50 we got two courses, coffee, programmes and a show - brilliant value.

Can I ask please how you're getting seats at £67.50? I'm seeing £74 for matinees and £85 for evenings.

Also, any opinions on the on-stage seating? Those seats were added quite late, so there's still good availability.

[ruthieh]

Jun 11, 2023 20:53:59 GMT Dr Tom said:

Jun 11, 2023 8:32:43 GMT Someone in a tree said:

For £67.50 we got two courses, coffee, programmes and a show - brilliant value.

Can I ask please how you're getting seats at £67.50? I'm seeing £74 for matinees and £85 for evenings.

Also, any opinions on the on-stage seating? Those seats were added quite late, so there's still good availability.

The AA seats? We had those. They were very good seats. No complaints.

[Someone in a tree]

Jun 11, 2023 20:53:59 GMT Dr Tom said:

Jun 11, 2023 8:32:43 GMT Someone in a tree said:

For £67.50 we got two courses, coffee, programmes and a show - brilliant value.

Can I ask please how you're getting seats at £67.50? I'm seeing £74 for matinees and £85 for evenings.

Also, any opinions on the on-stage seating? Those seats were added quite late, so there's still good availability.

Hi Tom

We had A8 & A9 . I booked them at the start of Jan, so I'm not sure if it was an early bird booking thingy or closeness to the stage. View was great though.

Even at £74 I'd argue that it's still excellent value.

[FrontroverPaul]

Jun 12, 2023 6:33:31 GMT Someone in a tree said:

Jun 11, 2023 20:53:59 GMT Dr Tom said:

Can I ask please how you're getting seats at £67.50? I'm seeing £74 for matinees and £85 for evenings.

Also, any opinions on the on-stage seating? Those seats were added quite late, so there's still good availability.

Hi Tom

We had A8 & A9 . I booked them at the start of Jan, so I'm not sure if it was an early bird booking thingy or closeness to the stage. View was great though.

Even at £74 I'd argue that it's still excellent value.

We have seats A18 and A19 later this month -  booked  @ £67.50 on the first on-sale date. They are the direct equivalent of your A8 and A9. I was unaware until now that on-stage seating had been added.

My partner and I both like to be as close to the action as possible ! Would you have switched to the two on-stage seats (in front of where you were)  had you been able to do so ? 

[Someone in a tree]

What numbers are on the onstage seats? I didn't see an actual on stage seating on Saturday.

I was A9 and got picked on "You're embarrassed aren't you? Don't be, I like bald men" so rude, I'm going to sue 🤣

[Dr Tom]

If I'm viewing the seating plan correctly, it looks like they've added a row AA in front of the two row A side blocks. There are four seats in the centre of row A with nothing in front of them. But I'm guessing the plan isn't terribly to scale and I can't see any other information about these seats. On some dates, the extra seats haven't sold at all.

[FrontroverPaul]

Jun 12, 2023 8:09:19 GMT Dr Tom said:

If I'm viewing the seating plan correctly, it looks like they've added a row AA in front of the two row A side blocks. There are four seats in the centre of row A with nothing in front of them. But I'm guessing the plan isn't terribly to scale and I can't see any other information about these seats. On some dates, the extra seats haven't sold at all.

We have have two of of those four seats (A8/A9, A18/A19)  in the front row with as you say nothing in front. There are no seats  A10 -A17  The potential swap would be to AA8 and AA9, currently free.

I'm minded to leave the booking as it is but if I had seats from A1-7 or A20 - A26 I would be disappointed to find other seats and people now in front.

[danb]

Jun 11, 2023 8:32:43 GMT Someone in a tree said:

The food was rather tasty. For £67.50 we got two courses, coffee, programmes and a show - brilliant value.

The trio of Evelyn Hoskins, Rebecca Thornhill and Daniel Crowder was inspired casting. D made Herbie an actual character and not just a piece of furniture. E was channelling Carrie, and the brooding elements worked so well. R was vulnerable and energetic. I was expecting a cartwheel during Rose's turn - all thrilling stuff that made me blub!.

The production would feel at home in the Menier.

So many things to admire such as young Louise having the odd appearance later on and the locations printed onto suitcases and a tablecloth. Although at the end of the day, it's a classic portrayal of this legendary show and this production is very funny and zips along.

Geek stuff - The reprise of Some People and the landlord bit is cut.

I’m gonna have to go now then!

[Someone in a tree]

Jun 12, 2023 8:32:27 GMT FrontroverPaul said:

Jun 12, 2023 8:09:19 GMT Dr Tom said:

If I'm viewing the seating plan correctly, it looks like they've added a row AA in front of the two row A side blocks. There are four seats in the centre of row A with nothing in front of them. But I'm guessing the plan isn't terribly to scale and I can't see any other information about these seats. On some dates, the extra seats haven't sold at all.

We have have two of of those four seats (A8/A9, A18/A19)  in the front row with as you say nothing in front. There are no seats  A10 -A17  The potential swap would be to AA8 and AA9, currently free.

I'm minded to leave the booking as it is but if I had seats from A1-7 or A20 - A26 I would be disappointed to find other seats and people now in front.

A1-7 and A20-27 all have seats in front and they are on the same floor level as row AA. The stage is around 1ft high so I dodnt think it will be a problem

[asps2017]

Anyone know if they offer a reduced rate on the day if tickets go unsold?

[Sotongal]

Jun 24, 2023 15:51:33 GMT asps2017 said:

Anyone know if they offer a reduced rate on the day if tickets go unsold?

Don’t think they do usually, but its worth ringing up to ask. 

The ticket includes a meal in their restaurant and you can’t (as far as I’m aware) buy tickets for just the performance on its own. 

It’s a great production with a wonderful set in a limited performance space. 

Well worth seeing. 


Also-for any Midsomer Murders fans, the Mill at Sonning doubled up as Empson Playhouse in the recent episode ‘For Death Prepare’! 

[capybara]

Attended last Saturday’s matinee performance of this and really enjoyed it. Gypsy is a golden age musical that has just passed me by so I was able to view it with no expectations or comparisons to previous productions.

Rebecca Thornhill was wonderful as Mama Rose. A real triple threat, culminating in a totally captivating performance of Rose’s Turn.

The rest of the company were brilliant too, with a special mention for Evelyn Hoskins as Gypsy Rose Lee/Louise. She nailed naive and innocent before completely owning the confidence her character develops towards the end of the piece.

It really is a lovely little space and there’s not really a bad seat in the auditorium. There’s only one way in and out (apart from fire exits at the end) so I was mildly concerned about the queues at the interval but given the average audience age, they were easy enough to bypass on the way to the toilet in the bar!

The food was essentially a roast buffet. Pork was tender and tasty, veg mix was pretty decent too. As was the dark chocolate mousse dessert. Plenty of other options available too. It all makes for quite a unique theatre experience. Oh, and one programme is provided per table booking but they were quite happy to provide a second free of charge.

If driving (as most will, it’s in the middle of the sticks), be aware Sonning high street gets completely rammed at the weekend. You’ll be sitting in it for a good 10/15 minutes coming up to the single lane bridge over the river but there’s plenty of spaces in the Mill’s car park.

You’re told to arrive for food two hours before the show begins at 2.15pm. We were late having got caught in traffic, so didn’t get there until just before 1pm and still had plenty of time to spare after eating.

A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. Four star meal, four star show.

[Sotongal]

Jul 5, 2023 12:15:43 GMT capybara said:

Attended last Saturday’s matinee performance of this and really enjoyed it. Gypsy is a golden age musical that has just passed me by so I was able to view it with no expectations or comparisons to previous productions.

Rebecca Thornhill was wonderful as Mama Rose. A real triple threat, culminating in a totally captivating performance of Rose’s Turn.

The rest of the company were brilliant too, with a special mention for Evelyn Hoskins as Gypsy Rose Lee/Louise. She nailed naive and innocent before completely owning the confidence her character develops towards the end of the piece.

It really is a lovely little space and there’s not really a bad seat in the auditorium. There’s only one way in and out (apart from fire exits at the end) so I was mildly concerned about the queues at the interval but given the average audience age, they were easy enough to bypass on the way to the toilet in the bar!

The food was essentially a roast buffet. Pork was tender and tasty, veg mix was pretty decent too. As was the dark chocolate mousse dessert. Plenty of other options available too. It all makes for quite a unique theatre experience. Oh, and one programme is provided per table booking but they were quite happy to provide a second free of charge.

If driving (as most will, it’s in the middle of the sticks), be aware Sonning high street gets completely rammed at the weekend. You’ll be sitting in it for a good 10/15 minutes coming up to the single lane bridge over the river but there’s plenty of spaces in the Mill’s car park.

You’re told to arrive for food two hours before the show begins at 2.15pm. We were late having got caught in traffic, so didn’t get there until just before 1pm and still had plenty of time to spare after eating.

A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. Four star meal, four star show.

Have to say it’s got probably the best Ladies Loos of any theatre on their restaurant lower level!

Yes, the queue of cars through Sonning can be slow peak times and weekends when there’s things going on, on The Thames. Unfortunately, South Oxfordshire Council won’t agree to a new road bridge across The Thames at Reading, (ten minutes away) joining the A329M even though it would relieve the lovely village of Sonning from so much traffic.

By the way, the Mill at Sonning shares an island with the Clooneys residence!

And for any Midsomer Murders fans-the theatre featured as ‘Empson Playhouse’ in the recent episode ‘For Death Prepare’.