ANNOUNCEMENTS

An eclectic programme that celebrates six extraordinary decades of theatre-making and community engagement.

New equipment will make more performances accessible to audiences who benefit from reading dialogue, music and sound effects alongside the action on stage.

The cast for Pinocchio will feature the returning Christopher Bianchi (The Talented Mr Ripley UK Tour, I’m Sorry Prime Minister at the Barn Theatre and UK Tour) as ‘Geppetto’, Fred Double (The Two Gentlemen of Verona with the Royal Shakespeare Company, End of the Rainbow at Soho Theatre Walthamstow) as ‘Cricket’, Eddy Payne (David Copperfield at Jermyn Street and GSC, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet at the Orange Tree Theatre) as ‘Cat’, and Jacoba Williams (Burning Down the Hous

From a Christmas Fair filled with independent makers and festive treats, to live music, creative workshops, dining experiences and two nights of stand-up comedy, the Watermill’s festive programme offers something for audiences of all ages throughout November and December.

The cast for Murder Before Evensong will feature Ian Hallard, Ajani Cabey, Caroline Gruber, David Hounslow, Kate Russell-Smith, Jaz Singh Deol, Julie Teal and Alex Wilson.

Production images by Pamela Raith. Summer musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang runs until 13 September.

The production will be dedicated to Chris Boulton who passed away earlier this year, and celebrates the wealth of local support that is powering this epic summer adventure.

Rehearsal images of whole team preparing for this summer's production by Pamela Raith Photography

Based on the novel by Reverend Richard Coles, Murder Before Evensong has been adapted for stage by Paul Hart and Shaun McKenna – who were behind the multi-award winning 2023 production of The Lord of the Rings.

The cast for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will feature Christian Edwards as Caractacus Potts and Lydia Louise making her professional debut in the role of Truly Scrumptious. Grandpa Potts will be played by Mark Curry and Susannah van den Berg will play The Childcatcher.

Actors Lydia Bakelmun, Amanda Boxer, Steve Chusak, Stephen Fewell, Rowan Polonski, and Jessica Rhodes photographed in rehearsal by Pamela Raith.

Newbury’s Watermill Theatre will be offering their first Dementia Friendly performance for the venue’s summer musical on Thursday 16 July at 2.30pm

The Watermill Theatre and Theatre by the Lake are delighted to share the production photos for Lark Rise to Candleford, written by Tamsin Kennard and based on the book by Flora Thompson.

Fresh from being named Theatre of the Year at The Stage Awards 2026, the Watermill Theatre is delighted to announce the world premiere of Victoria: A Queen Unbound, a new play by Daisy Goodwin, creator of ITV’s Victoria. The production will run from Friday 27 March to Saturday 9 May, with a national press night on Tuesday 31 March at 7pm.

Discover The Autobiography of a Cad, a sharp new comedy by Ian Hislop & Nick Newman, starring James Mack at The Watermill Theatre this sprin