That Old Feeling

Synopsis

Ronald, a widower for just over a year, finds himself wondering what the rest of life holds for him. Not that he admits as much to his two children - he wouldn't want to worry them. When his friend Horace tricks him into a night out at a ballroom dancing Club, he meets Bernadette. She is a regular at the Club, a vivacious divorcee whose credo is seize the moment. She firmly informs Ronald that she is not looking for anything as clichéd as romance. She only wants to dance. Ronald in turn makes it clear that he doesn't want to be here at all, let alone look for love. But Ronald has never met anyone like Bernadette! And out of these first few stumbling steps, grows companionship, and then - inevitably - something a lot deeper. The path of true love is never easy. And as they find out it's even trickier where there's family and a lot of personal baggage involved - as well as trying to control your two left feet!

Our Review:

15 October 2009

Captivating, yet also with meaty themes, That Old Feeling at the Mill at Sonning has a wonderfully upbeat message, that even when you’re over 60, life can still hold great adventure. It’s a thought the audience here certainly seem to appreciate throughout this feelgood musical.

Widower Ron’s family think it’s time he was put out to pasture. In particular, his bossy daughter-in-law Bette (a nicely observed performance by Shona Lindsay) wants to see him step down from running the family business, sell the family home and move into ‘a nice little flat’. This convenient plan is not to be. Ron’s friend Horace (Geoff Aymer) tricks him into coming along to a dance club where Ron meets and is dazzled by vivacious divorcee Bernie. Whether the family like it or not, love enters the old chap’s life - and turns it upside down. It also forces the younger members of the family to confront of some of the issues bedevilling their own lives.

The songs that t...