This is a play that premiered in 1987, although this version of it is set in December 1992. The laughs keep coming in what becomes an increasingly implausible storyline – indeed, some of the humour comes from a script that revels in the absurdity of proceedings. With the entire show taking place in a doctors’ common room, what on earth is anybody who isn’t a doctor (or a cleaner assigned to the doctors’ mess) doing in there? When the matron (Elizabeth Elvin) is given a highly irregular instruction, would she not have consulted with another doctor rather than a feeble protest almost immediately followed by reluctant compliance? But to dwell on such matters too much would be rather missing the point – this is light entertainment, things are seldom, if ever, what they seem, and the comedy relies on misunderstandings and double meanings to create, in essence, chaos.
There was also a slight feeling there are one or two too many characters, but again, the incomings and outgoings of various people all add to the comedy: nobody knows everything that has happened, and acting on imperfect information leads to all sorts of largely hilarious consequences. At least at the performance I attended, the comedy was so carefully timed that missing any dialogue because the audience’s laughter from the previous punchline was still ongoing, never happened. Or if it did, I failed to notice, which at the end of the day, is more or less the same thing.
James Bradshaw’s Dr Bonney captured the trepidation of a man persuaded to deviate from the principle of telling the truth and therefore not having to remember anything. The play doesn’t shy away from stereotypes – there’s the somewhat bumbling police sergeant (Titus Rowe), and there’s Bill (Iain Stuart Robertson), a long-time hospital patient – and possible bed-blocker – of advanced years, and with a streak of endearing mischievousness.
I trust you will forgive this deviation. The pre-show restaurant meal is a key part of the theatre experience at this venue. For decades there has been a buffet, in which patrons would take as little or as much of various dishes as they wished, and I always had to make a point of not overdoing it with the gravy, because it would otherwise involve the risk of spillage when walking to one’s allocated table, which would sometimes be up a flight of stairs. The Mill at Sonning has now moved to table service, and on press night, as far as I could tell, everyone received what they ordered. My only slight gripe was the main meal was a tad too hot (to be fair, so were other people’s), and I was reminded of table manners etiquette, which generally advises people to engage in polite conversation whilst waiting one’s food to cool down sufficiently, rather than blowing on it.
As for the show, a vibrant energy reverberates throughout the evening, as attempts to explain what’s happening are swiftly interrupted by something else going on. In a comedy play of this kind it was almost inevitable that a set of large windows, accessible by a ledge both long and wide enough to sustain the weight of multiple characters, was going to have a pivotal purpose. With hearty laughter and a committed cast, this is a wholesome comedy of the highest order.
Review by Chris Omaweng
Dr. David Mortimore, renowned neurologist, is about to deliver the most important lecture of his life. A knighthood is certainly within reach! When into his hospital sanctuary comes Jane Tate – ex-nurse and ex-girlfriend – with shocking news as to why she departed so hastily 16 years and nine months ago. Not only is Dr. Mortimore the father of her son Leslie, but the strapping teenager is now in reception baying to see his long lost parent!
Trying to hold both his career and marriage together, there is only one solution for Dr. Mortimore – send for the faithful friend Dr. Bonney. What ensues is a dangerous web of expanding lies and manic cover-ups involving a Police Sergeant, Dr. Mortimore’s wife, a severe hospital Matron and Dr. Bonney’s mother. It Runs in the Family is farce at its finest, spinning deliriously out of control.
CAST
James Bradshaw – Dr Hubert Bonney
Eric Carte – Sir Willoughby Drake
Oscar Cleaver – Dr Mike Connolly
Elizabeth Elvin – Matron
Rachel Fielding – Rosemary Mortimore
Natasha Gray – Jane Tate
Steven Pinder – Dr David Mortimore
Francis Redfern – Leslie
Iain Stuart Robertson – Bill
Titus Rowe – Police Sergeant
CREATIVES
Writer – Ray Cooney OBE
Director – Ron Aldridge
Set Designer – Alex Marker
Costume Designer – Natalie Titchener
Lighting Designer – Graham Weymouth
IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY
The Mill at Sonning Theatre, Sonning Eye, Reading RG4 6TY
13 February to 12 April 2025
