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Individual prize draws are not promoted or endorsed by Crowdfunder.
Support The Mill at Sonning and win 2 prime tickets to In Conversation with Dame Judi Dench on Sunday Oct 26th + lunch + backstage tour
For over 40 years, The Mill at Sonning has been the UK’s only Dinner Theatre — a place where audiences laugh, cry, eat, drink, and share unforgettable nights.
But The Mill is more than a theatre. It is a Grade II listed building, with a waterwheel that milled flour right up until 1969. Today, the wheel still turns, a living reminder of our history — but heritage needs constant care, and the building and wheel are always in need of repair.
At the same time, The Mill is also a pioneer of green energy. A syphonic turbine harnesses the river to generate our electricity, and a geo-thermal system keeps us warm in winter. This marriage of heritage and sustainability makes The Mill truly unique.
Unlike many theatres, we do not receive public subsidy. We survive solely on our box office, and each year we employ over 80 professional actors, musicians, directors, and creatives from across the UK. And we employ over 100 local people backstage, in the workshop, in the kitchens and restaurant. Everything — from sets and props to costumes — is designed and made on site, keeping craft skills alive.
Artistically, The Mill commissions new plays every year, stages award-winning productions, and is regularly reviewed by the national press. We were named UK Theatre’s Most Welcoming Theatre for 3 years running, and in 2023 our production of Gypsy won Best Musical at the UK Theatre Awards.
Now we need your help to protect this special place and strengthen its future.
✅ What We’re Doing
This crowd funder will:
Restore and protect our historic waterwheel and mill building
Renew seats and upgrade safety systems for audiences
Support new writers and young actors with training and opportunities
Cover day-to-day running costs after a long, quiet summer
Sustain our green energy systems so The Mill can remain as environmentally responsible as it is magical
💡 Why It Matters
The Mill has thrived thanks to those who believe in its magic:
Champions like Dame Judi Dench, Dame Sheila Hancock, DameJoanna Lumley, Dame Penelope Wilton, Peter Egan, Ricky Gervaise,
Local supporters like George and Amal Clooney
Thousands of loyal audience members
As Dame Judi Dench, Patron of this appeal, says:
“The Mill is a jewel of British theatre. Supporting it means keeping something precious alive for future generations.”
🎯 Our Impact
With your help, The Mill will:
Protect and preserve our unique heritage while keeping the waterwheel turning
Generate green energy for the future through our turbine and geo-thermal heating
Sustain over 100 jobs for local people while giving professional work to actors and creatives
Provide a platform for new writing — from commissions to plays that transfer to the West End
Continue to stage award-winning productions that are celebrated nationally
Keep our reputation as the UK’s most welcoming theatre, and bring families together with our big Christmas musical
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This project successfully funded on 11th October 2025