Cash On Delivery 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

Has it really rained every day this year? It certainly felt that way, until the day of the show when the sun finally came out and it felt like a good sign for the performance of Michael Cooney’s Cash on Delivery at the Mill at Sonning Theatre.

Simply put, the Mill at Sonning is a wonderful venue and a place that always goes the extra mile in hospitality. Being the UK’s only dinner theatre, it has strived hard over the last few years to offer more flexible packages for modern audiences, with the choice to have a show only ticket or one which includes either a two or three course meal in the high standard restaurant before the show. Uniquely, all productions are created at the theatre from start to finish which elevates and adds to the intimacy of the experience.

Written by Michael Cooney, son of the legendary playwright Ray, Cash on Delivery bears all the hallmarks of an old fashioned farce, built on layers upon layers of misunderstandings. Farce is not for everyone but the Mill knows its audience well and whilst there were a few deadpan faces in the auditorium, the response was mostly great delight, with plenty of belly laughs from start to finish.

The play tells the story of Eric Swan, played by Steven Pinder, who has been illegally claiming benefits from the Department of Social Security for many years for fictitious lodgers, all of whom seemingly suffer from various ailments and also have huge extended families who are also claiming additional support. Eric’s wife, Linda, played by Natasha Gray is, of course, completely oblivious to her husband’s shenanigans, which adds to the tension as an investigation begins and Eric desperately tries to cover up the web of his lies. It is against this backdrop that things start to spiral seriously out of control and the comedy mayhem begins!

Directed by Ron Aldridge, the show is jam packed full of lies, miscommunications and mishaps that you really have to keep your wits about you to keep track of all the growing confusion and chaos. If you love a good farce, the intimacy of the Mill, with its wraparound seating also adds to the experience as we are closer to all the improbable action.

Throughout the show the talented cast work hard together, with great comic timing and at times trying hard to suppress their own laughter. Steven Pinder as the desperate Eric Swan and James Bradshaw as Norman Bassett make a good double act. The rest of the well-cast ensemble deliver the full-on action with pace and energy.

With lots of door slamming, this is a production with a heavy reliance on having a secure and practical set. Alex Marker’s realistic set does the job well, supporting the rapid pace and energetic transitions between the comic moments.

If you enjoy a good classic farce and a lovely theatre setting, Cash on Delivery at the Mill at Sonning is the show for you.

Rating: 4/5

Cash on Delivery is at The Mill at Sonning and runs from 5th February – 14th April 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