It Runs in the Family
The current production of Ray Cooney’s late 1980’s farce at The Mill at Sonning delivers with great timing and energy. Directed with pace by Ron Aldridge, this version is now set in a London Hospital in 1992, three days before Christmas.
The story revolves around Dr David Mortimore, an ambitious neurologist, as he prepares to deliver a prestigious lecture. However, his plans unravel when Nurse Tate, a former flame, arrives to let him know that the son he never knew he had 18 years ago, Leslie, is at the hospital to meet him. Chaos then ensues with mistaken identities, lies, dressing up, and plenty of physical comedy. Mortimore enlists the help from his naïve colleague Dr Bonney, as things slip into further mayhem.
The cast is all excellent. Every actor is totally committed to wringing the comedy out.
Mortimore, played by Steven Pinder, and James Bradshaw as Dr Bonney, make a formidable double act. Both receive some of the biggest laughs, and are brilliantly cast. There is great charisma from both.
They are very well supported by the rest of the cast, with special credit going to Elizabeth Elvin as Matron, and Rachel Fielding as Dr Mortimore’s wife Rosemary. I also thought that Iain Stuart Robertson as Bill, a smaller part who very much came into his own in the second half, gave a lovely comic performance.
The single set, the Doctors’ Common Room, designed by Alex Marker, is very effective, complete with nice Christmas touches (the mini tree, the paper chains, the tinsel and cards on the pinboard). You can certainly imagine such rooms in such a hospital in the 1980’s and 90’s. I particularly liked the windows looking out onto a London scene.
It Runs in the Family does feel a little dated as a play, and certainly comes from a much simpler time. Younger audiences might well struggle with some of the themes, but it is nonetheless a very funny old-fashioned piece, and the talented cast make sure that you enjoy yourself. It is an extremely entertaining trip to the theatre!
No review of a show at Sonning would be complete without mentioning the food. And this year, the Theatre has changed things up a notch. It has now moved away from its buffet main course and has gone waiter service. In doing so, it is going to reduce food waste, which is a great aim. But it has also improved quality, and the lovely restaurant has also had a facelift with some new furniture and artwork.
We have all been at restaurants pre theatre and experienced mild stress (or worse!) that our food will not be served in time to get to the show….and for a first visit to the new regime, this could not have been further from the truth. There were so many smiley attentive staff on hand, and the system for getting everyone seated and fed and watered was truly so efficient, it was a delightful experience! The food was of the usual good wholesome standard, and the trademark beef and ale pie still on the menu…and all was served with plenty of time to relax, before the play started. It is just a lovely experience and artistic director and managing director Sally Hughes is to be congratulated on introducing these changes so well.
This show was reviewed on the 22nd February 2025 at The Mill at Sonning where it runs until the 12th April 2025. Tickets available here: Mill at Sonning
Review written by Ruth Hawkins
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Photo credit : Carla Joy Evans
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