Theatre freshens up restaurant offering ahead of afternoon tea series

THE team at the Mill at Sonning have just freshened up the restaurant, changing it from buffet to table service and are busy preparing for afternoon teas, which will take place weekly over the summer.

The Mill’s managing and artistic director, Sally Hughes, says: “We’ve got new tables, new chairs, crockery and a new menu and table service.

“There is no queuing up the stairs and the timing is wonderful. It’s a lovely, much calmer experience and it just flows beautifully. These afternoon teas have taken on a life of their own really. It’s only for 50 people but it’s rather nice and intimate in the theatre with the celebs.”

Sally says the celebrities coming to talk at the afternoon teas are “quite special.”

On Thursday, June 5, actress Debbie McGee will be talking about her life, from her time as a ballerina in Iran to her marriage to Paul Daniels and her current projects.

On Thursday, June 26, Pat Abernethy and Dave Marsden will present “Your Favourite Comedy Songs” including music by Stan Freeberg, the Pythons, the Goons, Pete and Dud, Tom Lehrer, Bernard Cribbins, Richard Digance and more.

On Thursday, July 17, actor Peter Egan, who was the Mill’s first artistic director, will talk about his career, which included appearances in Ever Decreasing Circles, Downton Abbey and After Life.

On Thursday, July 31, actress Lesley Nicol will look back at her career, including appearances in Downton Abbey, Mr Bates vs The Post Office and Mamma Mia!. The talks and music event run from 1pm to 4.30pm. They will take place in the theatre, followed by question and answer sessions for the talks, with the afternoon teas taking place afterwards, in the Waterwheel bar. More talks will be announced shortly.

On Thursday, June 12, Daniel Barbary from Berkmann will give a talk.

“The wine tasting which will be rather special,” adds Sally. “Berkmann’s is a very well-known wine supplier and it supplies our wine at the Mill.

“Daniel is coming down to do wine tasting and then for about 90 minutes people can enjoy different wines followed by afternoon tea. People can purchase the wines at wholesale prices afterwards.”

As the Mill gets ready for its production of Death Comes to Pemberley, more events are being lined up.

On Friday, April 25, there is an evening performance of Posting Letters to the Moon, a reading of the wartime letters between Celia Johnson and her husband, Peter Fleming, by their daughter Lucy Fleming and her husband, Simon Williams. On Tuesday, May 27, the Mill’s regular storytime reader, Stephanie Okupniak, will host Mimi the Witch and Friends (noon and 3pm). The children’s show follows the adventures of Mimi with Squeakers the hedgehog and Squiggles the sausage dog. When rubbish is dumped at the home of Bramble the gnome, they help him clean up the forest. Recommended for ages two to eight.

For more information, call the box office on 0118 969 8000 (Monday to Saturday, 10am to 8pm) or visit millatsonning.com