Theatre goers brave the floods as the show must go on

Pumps and bridges were employed by a theatre as flood water threatened to put a dampener on performances.

Despite rising river levels and closed roads, The Mill at Sonning refused to let its performance of Ray Cooney and John Chapman's comedy 'Not Now Darling' become a wash-out.

"The show must go on! We do what ever we can to keep it going," said general manager David Vass.

Sonning Bridge has been fully closed to vehicles since Tuesday, January 7, due to flooding on the B478 Playhatch road.

The theatre had submersible pumps working to pump water out of the building and its carpenters made a tiny bridge in the bar so the audience could get their drinks without getting wet feet.

"Sandbags do not do anything for us because we are over the top of the river," added Mr Vass, who said the river 'just runs through the floor'.

The theatre's car park and outhouses where the actors stay were also flooded but everybody that was booked for the performance on the evening of Wednesday, January 8, arrived.

Mr Vass, who has been at the theatre for 31 years, said the last time they had flooding like this was in 2003 and that they 'got through it then'.

Richard Bush, chairman of Wargrave Parish Council, said the closure of Sonning Bridge had resulted in 'a lot more' traffic through Wargrave.

The Environment Agency's 'flood warning' for Twyford, Charvil and Wargrave, including Loddon Drive, was downgraded to a 'flood alert' on Tuesday afternoon.

Flood alerts are also in place near the River Loddon at Swallowfield, Arborfield, Shinfield, Barkham, Lower Earley, Sindlesham, Winnersh, Woodley, Hurst and Waltham-St-Lawrence.

Sonning Bridge remained closed to traffic yesterday.