Review: My Fair Lady (The Mill at Sonning)

Review by Daz Gale

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

There are few things I love more than a trip to the picturesque Mill at Sonning, just outside of Reading. I manage to get there several times a year, but it is always their annual Christmas musical that proves the most exciting for me each year. Previous years have seen productions of Top Hat, High Society and White Christmas, and this year it's the turn of an absolute classic, with Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady getting the Sonning treatment. Would this production continue their winning trend of Christmas musicals and keep me dancing all night, or would it do little for me?

Based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, musical My Fair Lady debuted on Broadway in 1956, hitting the West End two years later and enjoying many revivals in the decades since, with last year’s production at Curve Leicester and a major London run at the Coliseum in 2022. It tells the story of Cockney flower seller, Eliza Doolittle. After meeting Professor Henry Higgins, he makes a bet with his friend Colonel Pickering that he can fool people into thinking Eliza is a Duchess, simply by teaching her to speak “proper” English. Moving Eliza into his home for lessons, she experiences a profound transformation, though she is still viewed as nothing more than an experiment by Higgins. Eventually, this is one relationship that sees both parties change the other, but could either find happiness along the way?

This musical by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe is a timeless classic, thrilling audiences for just shy of 70 years, many of whom grew up loving the iconic film adaptation from 1964. It is this timelessness that lends itself well to the setting at The Mill at Sonning, with each musical they revive being an old favourite that stirs memories among their devoted audience. At this performance, I couldn’t help but look around and watch the show through the audience’s eyes, warming my heart at the smiles on their faces or the way several silently mouthed along with the lyrics. My only personal experience with this musical was seeing it at the London Coliseum three years ago in a production that didn’t move me much. This iteration fared much better, connecting with me in a way that previous production failed to.

Key to the success of this production is Joseph Pitcher’s sensational direction. Finding the best way to bring this story to an intimate theatre of just 218 capacity as opposed to the much larger spaces this story usually plays to, his ambitious vision makes full use of their limited space, making it seem much grander than it is. The meticulous thought given to this production is clear to see at every scene, with playful and creative ways transforming some of the biggest numbers, ‘Get Me To The Church On Time’ and the early showstopper ‘With A Little Bit Of Luck’. I can’t speak about the incredible nature of that sequence enough, up there with some of the very best numbers you will experience on a West End stage, and far better than many others. Bringing that type of unmatched quality to this production is what makes this My Fair Lady such a delight.

It is Pitcher’s co-choreography with Alex Christian that makes sequences such as ‘With A Little Bit Of Luck’ excel as much as they do. Completely inspired, each major dance number thrilled, matching the impeccable quality of Lerner and Loewe’s timeless score. It is not always the grander moments that speak to the cleverness of Pitcher’s direction and choreography; however, with the subtle and humorous nature of ‘Ascot Gavotte’, another highlight.

Diego Pitarch’s gorgeous set design beautifully transforms the Sonning stage from Covent Garden Market to Henry Higgins’ house to a ballroom with some clever touches, though some misbehaving props at this performance did somewhat lessen the quality unfortunately. If I do have one minor criticism, it’s that I think more could have been done with the costume design - though Eliza gets a spectacular gown at one point, overall it noticeably failed to match the high standard seen elsewhere in the production.

At its heart, My Fair Lady is a story about class, transformation and mutual respect. Along the way, there are some quite uncomfortable moments in the way Henry Higgins talks to Eliza, with all of the threats of violence and disgusting names she is called. You could argue it is a product of its time but thankfully, society has moved on from this treatment, though that doesn’t make it any less difficult to watch at times. One element of the show that has had no trouble ageing is the timeless nature of the music itself. With classics including ‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly’ and ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’, it is a a guaranteed glorious evening hearing some of these vintage numbers in the context of their original story. Beautifully orchestrated and arranged by Charlie Ingles, the choice to have several cast members play instruments on stage brings an actor-muso touch to the evening, adding to the affair.

Simbi Akande leads the cast as Eliza Doolittle in a performance that is far more than simply fair. Brimming with star quality, the extreme transformation of her character showcases all of Akande’s strengths as an actor, exhibiting the natural growth and confidence of Eliza in a well-rounded and authentic performance. Her vocals are at their finest on ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’, while the emotional core she brings to the story ensures the audience is always rooting for her and firmly on her side when she is the victim of one of Henry Higgins’ tirades.

Though Henry Higgins may not be the most likeable of characters, Nadim Naaman very clearly is, delivering a masterful portrayal of the character that culminates with a stunning rendition of show closer ‘I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face’. Elsewhere, Alfie Blackwell delights with a charming and charismatic Freddy Eynsford-Hill. In an instantly lovable portrayal, he comes into his own with a rousing ‘On The Street Where You Live’, with a permanent lovesick grin on his face, making it easily one of the standout sequences of this production.

This cast is bursting with talent, with Sophie-Louise Dann another highlight in her dual roles as Mrs Higgins and Mrs Hopkins, and Jo Serve giving a strong turn as Colonel Pickering. Another standout is undoubtedly Mark Moraghan for his scene-stealing turn as Eliza’s dad, Alfred P. Doolittle. Getting two of the biggest numbers of the musical, the energy and comedy he provides all but bring the house down, ensuring the most rapturous reception of the night.

Though some of you reading this may have never ventured to The Mill at Sonning before, or even heard of it, productions such as this are a prime example of why it is worth the short train journey from Paddington (the station, not the musical - though that will be the next review from me!) Ambitious and exceptional in its delivery, it offers some of the finest entertainment you can get, delivering a fabulous and memorable evening. Though I’ve seen some amazing shows there over the last few years, My Fair Lady is up there with their very best. With all of the elements tying together, the result is simply loverly.

My Fair Lady plays at The Mill at Sonning until 17th January 2026. Tickets from https://millatsonning.com/Events/my-fair-lady/

Photos by Pamela Raith