George and Amal Clooney have helped to save a theatre near their Berkshire mansion.
Amal and George Clooney
The 59-year-old actor and Amal, 42, have raised money to help ensure the survival of The Mill at Sonning Theatre, which is set to reopen at the end of the month after being forced to shut amid the coronavirus lockdown.
A theatre spokesman said in a statement shared to Facebook: "The Mill at Sonning is to re-open its theatre on 30 October and announces all its in-house theatre productions for 2021.
"The auditorium is to be named in honour of legendary playwright Ray Cooney for his incredible support for the venue during lockdown.
"After nine months in lockdown, The Mill at Sonning, the UK's only dinner theatre, is to re-open its theatre on 30 October with a winter season of comedy, magic, cabarets and plays.
"Since July, when the theatre celebrated its 38th birthday, The Mill has only been able to operate its adjoining restaurant with reduced seating, but this together with fundraising and donations from Mill Angel supporters and Hollywood star George Clooney and his wife Amal, who are near neighbours and regular attenders, have been a lifeline to ensure the venue's survival."
The theatre - which is located close to the couple's spectacular abode in south-east England - is set to reopen in the coming weeks with coronavirus restrictions in place.
The spokesman added: "Artistic Director Sally Hughes singles out special praise for the playwright Ray Cooney, whose legendary farces are performed regularly at the venue.
"The Mill will reopen with a much reduced capacity of 70 customers for dinner and show due to social distancing, but the venue has come up with an ingenious way to hide the empty seats that have to be left between bookings."
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