White Christmas at The Mill at Sonning Review
Irving Berlin's classic tunes descends at Sonning this Christmas
‘I'm dreaming of a White Christmas…’
The eponymous tune, written by the legendary American composer Irving Berlin, is possibly one of the most well-known Christmas songs in history, but few have yet to discover the 2000 stage musical of the same name, adapted from the 1954 film from Paramount Pictures. Last seen in the UK at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, Berlin, David Ives and Paul Blake's musical now arrives at the aptly scenic The Mill at Sonning, one of the few dinner theatres in the country for a Christmas season.
The story follows Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, ex-Army soldier pursuing a performing career at the end of World War II. A chance meeting with fellow artistes Betty and Judy Haynes sets the group up for a trip to Vermont, taking over the town of pine tree in an attempt to stage a musical revue, with a sprinkle of romance and eventually (of course), snow along the way.
Being firmly rooted in the Golden Age of cinema, the intentionally dramatised plot feels familiar to the likes of An American in Paris, An Officer and a Gentleman et al, with a juxtaposition in common - militarism and romance, perhaps set in different contexts against different time periods - so in most cases, the story is not the strongest element in the production when viewed from a modern perspective. Such types of adaptations naturally lend themselves more towards the mediums of screen and television, therefore the focus shifts more towards the musical material used both as linking and storytelling devices.
In a new restaging for the intimate Sonning stage, director Jonathan O'Boyle gives substantial attention to the aesthetic details given the proximity between performers and the audience, utilising the full space to sustain visual interest; a smaller stage does not at all prevent Gary Lloyd's elaborate choreography from playing out across the space. Kudos should also extend to arrangers and musical directors Jae Alexander and Mark Benheim, reworking Larry Blank's existing orchestrations for a seven-piece band no less, who warms up even the coldest of nights with Berlin's toe-tapping score.
On stage, these tunes are brought to life by a highly capable cast, whose genuine joy in performing the material radiates through song and dance. Nic Myers and Gabriella Williams’ portrayal of the Haynes sisters makes an endearing duo with well-considered vocal choices, but Shirley Jameson's Martha stands out in particular, delivering some of the most impressionable musical highlights.
From extended dance breaks to cherry-on-the-top touches such as David Howe's atmospheric lighting design, this revival captures the holiday spirit with charm and glee aplenty; it may be cold outside, but for Christmas’ sake, pair that with a unique dinner theatre experience (first hand experience suggests the meal is very filling), it's a delightful festive treat to remember.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
White Christmas plays at The Mill at Sonning until 25 January 2025. For more information and to book tickets, visit the venue website.
Tickets and Accessibility
🎟️ Tickets were kindly gifted by the press representative for the venue. All views are my own, without any input or approval from the venue or producers. Standard tickets are priced from £63 including a two-course meal - there are no concessions currently available.
♾️ The audio mix is at a generally comfortable level, with all music, singing and dialogue amplified. Two aisles between the three banks of seating are used throughout by the cast as voms/entrances, and some cast members may interact with/sing at those in aisle seats. Specific content notes are as follows: