Berkshire


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1044" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/039_Jack-and-Sarah-Rehearsals_Pamela-Raith-Photography.jpg" alt="behind the scenes mill at sonning jack and sarah whats on at the mill at sonning theatre" class="wp-image-88389" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/039_Jack-and-Sarah-Rehearsals_Pamela-Raith-Photography.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/039_Jack-and-Sarah-Rehearsals_Pamela-Raith-Photography-800x557.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/039_Jack-and-Sarah-Rehearsals_Pamela-Raith-Photography-1000x696.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/039_Jack-and-Sarah-Rehearsals_Pamela-Raith-Photography-400x278.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/039_Jack-and-Sarah-Rehearsals_Pamela-Raith-Photography-768x535.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the curtain just before a world premiere debuts, AND that said theatre show is in full motion, lean in sister. I was recently bestowed an exclusive behind-the-scenes, backstage peek at The Mill at Sonning&#8217;s brand-new rom-com production <em><a href="https://millatsonning.com/Events/jack-and-sarah/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jack and Sarah</a></em>, now showing at the gorgeous riverside theatre <strong>until 14 June</strong>. Starring <em>Coronation Street&#8217;s</em> George Banks and actor and comedian <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/interview-rufus-hound-actor-comedian-jack-and-sarah-mill-at-sonning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rufus Hound</a>, you may recognise the show from the heartwarming 1995 movie version. The original cast featured Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, and Richard E. Grant, so, ermm, no pressure or anything.</p>



<p>What really happens just before a world premiere makes it debut to, well, the world then? Were nerves flying? Any last minute changes? How quick actually are the costume changes? God, I really did have <em>so</em> many questions. Without further ado, here are the things that surprised me, impressed me, and what went down on opening day.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-costume-party">Costume party</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/001_Jack-and-Sarah-Rehearsals_Pamela-Raith-Photography.jpg" alt="behind the scenes mill at sonning jack and sarah" class="wp-image-88377" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/001_Jack-and-Sarah-Rehearsals_Pamela-Raith-Photography.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/001_Jack-and-Sarah-Rehearsals_Pamela-Raith-Photography-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/001_Jack-and-Sarah-Rehearsals_Pamela-Raith-Photography-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/001_Jack-and-Sarah-Rehearsals_Pamela-Raith-Photography-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/001_Jack-and-Sarah-Rehearsals_Pamela-Raith-Photography-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>While the original movie was set in the 90s, The Mill&#8217;s version of <em>Jack and Sarah</em> is firmly rooted in the modern day. So, no, no Justin Timberlake-inspired ramen noodle hair or frosted tips in sight. Thank god. That being said, 90s fashion is very much back in vogue right now, so the costumes did have a little bit of flavour from the era &#8211; primarily sourced through high street stores or charity shops by head costume designer Natalie Titchener. Her team tells me that once she has a vision for a character, she&#8217;s like a dog with a very stylish bone. She&#8217;ll stop at nothing until she finds that perfect fit. And she always does. Adorably, some of the baby&#8217;s outfits and jumpers worn by Lee White had been hand-knitted and made just for the show. Cuteeee.</p>



<p>And how do they keep the costumes fresh performance after performance? Not to be obvious, but laundry. A lot of laundry &#8211; whether it&#8217;s throwing it in the machines or doing it by hand. Peachy. Luckily for this production, actors aren&#8217;t in some of the costumes for a particularly long time. Leading man George, who plays Jack, has by far the most &#8211; which document the progress of time throughout the show. Navigating grief is a major theme in <em>Jack and Sarah</em>, and the wardrobe team explained just how important the outfits were in documenting this journey &#8211; from Jack&#8217;s initial disorganisation in early parenthood to finding stability in his life once Amy comes into the picture.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-calm-before-the-chaos">Calm before the chaos</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/jack-and-sarah-mill-sonning-IMG_5718_VSCO.jpg" alt="mill at sonning behind the scenes jack and sarah mill at sonning cast" class="wp-image-88391" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/jack-and-sarah-mill-sonning-IMG_5718_VSCO.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/jack-and-sarah-mill-sonning-IMG_5718_VSCO-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/jack-and-sarah-mill-sonning-IMG_5718_VSCO-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/jack-and-sarah-mill-sonning-IMG_5718_VSCO-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/jack-and-sarah-mill-sonning-IMG_5718_VSCO-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Okay, I use the word chaos pretty lightly here because it definitely wasn&#8217;t a hair being ripped out, clipboards flying, someone weeping in the corner situation. In fact, backstage it was surprisingly laidback as the final dress rehearsal kicked off. Truthfully, I think I was more nervous for them than they were. The thought of getting on stage sends me into a cold sweat. But these are the real pros. People were fluttering around here, there, and everywhere &#8211; making sure bottles of booze (props that is) were ready to go, costumes lined out, and headsets firmly glued on heads.</p>



<p>Before go-time, I could definitely sense a bit of nervous excitement in the air. It was the final run-through before there were paying bums in seats within just a few hours time. &#8220;Anyone who tells you they aren&#8217;t nervous is lying,&#8221; The Mill first-timer George Banks (Jack) tells me. But pre-show, it was honestly a bit like a party backstage. Music was blasting, people were dancing, then George and Lucy Doyle (who plays his wife Sarah) gave each other one last good luck hug before they were off.</p>



<p>There&#8217;s a little screen in the wings where you can watch the action unfold, so when actors weren&#8217;t on stage, they were sat down watching, reading notes, or getting into costume. I can confirm &#8211; yes, the changes are fast. That being said, this production doesn&#8217;t require the same level of rapid fire dress changes as some do. But when time was of the essence, the unflappable stage management team, as well as costume department, were armed and ready to help make things as seamless as possible, shoe horn and all. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tight-squeeze">Tight squeeze</h2>



<p>One of the things I found most surprising was just how itty bitty the backstage space is to hold a room full of cast and crew, AND all the props. Behind the scenes is like a jumble sale of random props and equipment of shows gone by. The building&#8217;s age is very apparent too (a converted 18th-century flour mill&nbsp;in fact). Ceilings are low &#8211; anything over 6ft and you may be scraping your head. </p>



<p>Most impressive though, was the all-female stage management crew who ran the behind the scenes like a well-oiled machine. Everything had its place, and some of the props are literally hugeee. The set itself starts off as a building site, so you can only imagine the scaffolds, ladders, and random pieces of wood that are being lugged around. Between the first and second half, the entire set then changes into a fully refurbed house like magic. Seeing it all come together so seamlessly was super cool. If only all our houses could go from building site to glossy mag ready in such time. We can dream.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/jack-and-sarah-mill-sonning-IMG_5745_VSCO.jpg" alt="mill at sonning theatre whats on" class="wp-image-88392" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/jack-and-sarah-mill-sonning-IMG_5745_VSCO.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/jack-and-sarah-mill-sonning-IMG_5745_VSCO-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/jack-and-sarah-mill-sonning-IMG_5745_VSCO-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/jack-and-sarah-mill-sonning-IMG_5745_VSCO-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/jack-and-sarah-mill-sonning-IMG_5745_VSCO-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/jack-and-sarah-mill-sonning-IMG_5745_VSCO-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-screen-to-stage">Adapting screen to stage</h2>



<p>Taking a beloved film to the big stage for the first time naturally comes with its obstacles. For writer and adapter Duncan Abel, the vision was clear. &#8220;The biggest logistical challenge was having the entire show set in Jack&#8217;s house,&#8221; he tells me. &#8220;In the movie, Amy works in a restaurant, but to make it work with the show, we made her a food delivery driver, so she could come straight to the house&#8221;. Set in the modern day, unlike the movie, this version of <em>Jack and Sarah</em> has things like iPhones, but there is still nods to the 90s. Eyes peeled for the Beanie Babies! </p>



<p>William (played by Rufus Hound) gets a much bigger backstory in this production. Oh, and he has a Scottish accent. &#8220;He&#8217;s a whiskey drinker,&#8221; Rufus tells me. &#8220;It&#8217;s only natural I made him Scottish.&#8221; Duncan also gives Amy more depth in this retelling, making her a musician and songwriter who has flocked to London in the hopes of making it big time. In fact, alongside Anya De Villiers (Amy), he even wrote a few original songs for the show, which are, spoiler alert: seriously beautiful. As for what he hopes audiences take away? &#8220;The characters throughout the story have to wear their scars, and I think the show says &#8216;that&#8217;s okay&#8217;. We all get scared and damaged, but it&#8217;s okay to wear your scars&#8221;. Couldn&#8217;t have said it better myself, Duncan.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-last-minute-changes">Last minute changes</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/002_Jack-and-Sarah-Rehearsals_Pamela-Raith-Photography.jpg" alt="jack and sarah mill at sonning tickets" class="wp-image-88378" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/002_Jack-and-Sarah-Rehearsals_Pamela-Raith-Photography.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/002_Jack-and-Sarah-Rehearsals_Pamela-Raith-Photography-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/002_Jack-and-Sarah-Rehearsals_Pamela-Raith-Photography-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/002_Jack-and-Sarah-Rehearsals_Pamela-Raith-Photography-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/04/002_Jack-and-Sarah-Rehearsals_Pamela-Raith-Photography-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>After the final dress rehearsal wrapped, it definitely wasn&#8217;t a done deal. Out came the notebook from director Abigail Pickard Price (making her directorial debut at The Mill no less), and around the crew gathered. Small changes were being made right up to the last second. Apparently the fake baby&#8217;s crying was a little on the heavy side at times, so that was toned down. Just small tweaks to lighting and a mysterious stain on the sofa that needed looking at before the opening night and they were good to go. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-list-appearance">A-list appearance?</h2>



<p>Spending a full afternoon with the cast and crew, naturally I was on a mission to get even the tiniest crumb of goss. I did ask around about a possible appearance from local resident George Clooney (real journalism, I know), and sadly, the crew admitted they were yet to sync up their digital diaries to Hollywood&#8217;s biggest heartthrob. George has been known to drop by for performances at The Mill in the past (you can see his house from the theatre!), but no word as for if he&#8217;ll make an appearance for <em>Jack and Sarah</em>. Judi Dench too, has popped by in the past. And with her starring in the original flick, who knows? Although, writer Duncan did admit to me he made the decision to cut her character out of the production. Sorry, Judi. </p>



<p>After a day of snooping and sleuthing, I stuck around to watch the first opening night show (and official world premiere). Yes, it&#8217;s seriously brilliant, funny, and as heartwarming as you might imagine. Looks like you&#8217;ll just have to patiently wait for my full review dropping very soon&#8230;</p>



<p><strong><em>&nbsp;<strong><em><a href="https://millatsonning.com/Events/jack-and-sarah/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jack and Sarah</a>&nbsp;</em></strong>at The Mill at Sonning runs 23 Apr – 14 Jun. Get your&nbsp;<a href="https://millatsonning.com/Events/jack-and-sarah/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tickets</a>&nbsp;now.</em></strong></p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/interview-rufus-hound-actor-comedian-jack-and-sarah-mill-at-sonning/">Muddy meets actor, comedian, and star of the stage Rufus Hound</a></li>



<li><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/whats-on/festival-survival-guide-fi-fest-maidenhead-festival/">Festival survival guide incoming! How to boss Fi.Fest like a pro</a></li>



<li><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/whats-on/national-garden-scheme-secret-gardens-berkshire/">15 stunning secret gardens to visit in Berkshire this summer</a></li>
</ul>


Behind the scenes of The Mill at Sonning’s Jack and Sarah

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