Busman's Honeymoon ★★★ The Mill at Sonning | Apr 28 - Jun 25, 2022


The Mill at Sonning remains the perfect dinner theatre experience. The meal is always first rate and the setting is a positive delight. For a summer afternoon or evening out, this is a venue that always delivers a delightful break from the city while offering amazing value. The current production is Dorothy L. Sayers' final Lord Peter Wimsey mystery, Busman's Honeymoon. The perspicacious detective has finally married Harriet Vane, the love of his life, and they've purchased Talboys, a quiet country house in Hertfordshire. But, as it turns out the honeymoon hideaway is very far from providing a pastoral idyll. Murder is afoot and Wimsey is drawn into the proceedings. For lovers of the classic whodunit, the puzzle will definitely confound them as Wimsey declares the solution is to be found not in the "why" but in the "how" of the crime. Sayers' world and characters are studied, stylised creations and, by its very nature, the genre has a certain brittle artificiality. It is not an easy tone to catch. This production by Brian Blessed is somewhat uneven, with performances that move from rather broad caricature to a more naturalistic presentation. The cast worked well as an ensemble and they certainly managed to keep us guessing about who killed Mr. Noakes, the former owner of Talboys. As a show, Busman's Honeymoon offers suitably amusing and intriguing afters to a fine meal and a special day at The Mill at Sonning.

Rated: ★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Andreas Lambis.

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When, Where, Getting there:
  • Apr 28 - Jun 25, 2022
  • Wed - Sat: 8:15 pm. Restaurant open and serving dinner from 6:15 pm - 8 pm
  • Sat & Sun: 2:15 pm. Restaurant open and serving lunch from 12:15 pm - 2 pm
  • The Mill at Sonning
  • Nearest station: Reading
  • https://millatsonning.com/shows/busmans-honeymoon/
Map & Location: Sonning Eye, Reading RG4 6TY, UK

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