Jack and Sarah at The Mill at Sonning Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Joanna Woodburn

The sun was shining as we arrived at the Mill at Sonning, a theatre that must have one of the most charming settings in the country. The hospitality at the Mill begins long before the start of the show, with the option to have pre-show dining from a set menu, which all adds to the sense of occasion.

The 1995 film Jack and Sarah was a romantic comedy, with a distinguished cast, including Richard E. Grant and Samantha Mathis. The film particularly resonated with me at the time as my first child was born the same year, and so I was looking forward to seeing the world premiere stage adaptation at the Mill.

The story follows Jack, a grieving widower, whose life is thrown into turmoil when his wife dies unexpectedly after the birth of their daughter. As Jack struggles to cope, a variety of characters enter his life and through many ups and downs, Jack finds himself gradually reconnecting and healing through this unconventional support network of family and friends.

Directed by Abigail Pickard Price and adapted by Duncan Abel, Jack and Sarah is a first-class production that succeeds in drawing the audience in from the very beginning. One might assume, if you hadn’t seen the film, that the names in the title were romantic interests but the narrative actually revolves around the love Jack has for his child, Sarah, which adds to the emotional depth.

In the opening scene, we see a home struggling under the chaos of renovations and Terry Parsons’ inventive set design acts as a visual metaphor for the mess of Jack’s life. With the Mill’s wrap-around stage, there is an intimacy which ensures that the audience can feel a close connection to the story, almost as if we are part of it, as we hang on tight through the twists and turns. Just as in the unpredictability of grief in life, the play has us shedding tears one moment and laughing the next.

George Banks is excellent as Jack, delivering a brilliantly acted, convincing performance in this complex role, depicting grief with nuance, as he teeters between heartbreak and trying to keep things together. Anya De Villiers gives a captivating performance as Amy, the American nanny who comes into Jack and Sarah’s life, with her beautiful singing also adding poignant moments. Rufus Hound gives a commanding performance as William, an antiquarian bookseller who has turned to drink and ended up somehow homeless. Hats off to him as well for his razor-sharp comic ad-libbing when a phone went off in the audience! They are supported by a talented cast (and very realistic baby!) and every single character portrayal creates the believable relationships which are the beating heart of this production.

For me, it is a story that sweeps you along, deeply moving, balancing humour with sadness, but ultimately offering hope. Memorable and heartfelt, Jack and Sarah will stay with you long after you have left the theatre.

Rating: 5/5
Jack and Sarah is at The Mill at Sonning until 14th June 2026.
TICKETS CAN INCLUDE A DELICIOUS TWO OR THREE COURSE MEAL IN THE RESTAURANT BEFORE THE SHOW.
For more information or to book tickets, visit millatsonning.com