An evening of uproarious fun - that, in a nutshell, is what we have here. The Mill at Sonning is famed for its high-energy comedies but Love's a Luxury, by Guy Paxton and Edward V.Hoile, is one of their very best productions. Set in an affluent country cottage in 1953, it is a perfect piece for this venue. It is full of theatrical types having fun and dramas. Mill favourites Eric Carte and Royce Mills play Charles and Bobby, who have bolted to the country because Charles' wife has left him. She had heard that he let a young actress stay at his London bolt-hole, all perfectly innocent really, but she is the jealous type. When this pretty actress, Fritzy, played with great verve by Jennifer Bidall, arrives to apologise for landing Charles in trouble she has shown particularly bad timing - as the wife has been persuaded to come down for a reconciliation and will arrive any minute. There follows an extremely intricate and clever series of identity changes to keep the missus in the dark - including Royce Mills' transformation into a middle-aged housekeeper in an extraordinary frilly frock.
Thrown into this heady mix are glamorous parlourmaid Molly (Elizabeth Elvin), and a hilarious neighbour who is camping at the bottom of the garden - and very good he is at camping too! In fact, Jeffery Perry nearly steals the show away from everyone as Mr Mole, the innocent abroad in the mayhem of cover-up and duplicity that is unfolding. He comes up to the cottage to borrow an egg to cook for his supper and spins this simple act into a comic pièce de résistance.
To shine so brightly among this ensemble is no mean feat. They are an expert cast who are all giving 100 per cent from beginning to end. But for me this funny little characterisation really was the icing on an already top-notch cake.
Love's a Luxury continues until August 2. Box office 0118 969 8000.
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