The Watermill is delighted to announce its Autumn/Winter 2014 Season, with highlights including the World Premiere of But First This, A Musical Homage to Radio 4 written by Radio 4 newsreader Kathy Clugston, a new 75-minute three-man adaptation of Hamlet, and a Christmas production of Peter Pan with original music by Simon Slater. Full season on sale now.
JOURNEY’S END
By R C Sherriff
Thursday 11 September - Saturday 11 October 2014
‘You don’t know him as I do; I love that fellow. I’d go to hell with him.’
Just before Germany’s spring offensive in 1918, British officers are in a dug-out on the front line. Keen young officer Raleigh joins the company and finds Stanhope, his old friend, much changed. Trying to create some sort of normality amidst the horror, are Trotter, who is furious about how the war has interfered with his meal times, Hibbert, who is trying to find a way to escape, and Osborne, who would rather be tending his garden.
Journey’s End is an unflinching portrayal of men facing the unbearable but finding the camaraderie to keep on fighting. R C Sherriff wrote this powerful, moving play based on his own experience in the trenches and The Watermill revives it in this First World War centenary year.
HAMLET
By William Shakespeare
Monday 13 - Friday 17 October 2014
Hamlet is one of the most performed plays ever written, by a playwright at the height of his genius. When his father dies suddenly in suspicious circumstances, Hamlet returns home to find that his mother has married his uncle, who now rules Denmark in his father’s place. Torn between desire for revenge and loyalty to his mother, gripped by indecision, Hamlet must forge a new future for himself and the world of Denmark.
Shakespeare’s masterpiece about a young man poised on the brink of a series of cataclysmic decisions is brought sharply to life by The Watermill. An ideal introduction to Shakespeare, this production features the original text cut to a fast-paced 75 minutes, performed by just three actors in a contemporary setting, and follows the success of our previous touring productions, Romeo + Juliet, Othello, and Faustus.
Hamlet is directed by Justin Audibert, a theatre director, Artistic Associate of HighTide, Associate of Told By An Idiot and Education Associate Practitioner for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Work as director includes World Enough and Time (Park Theatre), Gruesome Playground Injuries (Gate Theatre), The Tempest (RSC Shakespeare in a Suitcase), Mojo (RSC/Hampstead Theatre) Future Regrets (RSC/Live Theatre) and Company Along the Mile (West Yorkshire Playhouse/Arcola Theatre).
Adapted by Beth Flintoff
Directed by Justin Audibert
BUT FIRST THIS
A MUSICAL HOMAGE TO RADIO 4
By Kathy Clugston and Desmond O'Connor
Thursday 23 October - Saturday 8 November 2014
Along with the countryside, the monarchy and freedom of speech, Radio 4 is in the top seven Best Things About Britain Today, according to a recent poll. But a new Controller is out to destroy this cherished institution! Can the intrepid team of presenters foil her wicked plan? Written by BBC newsreader Kathy Clugston with music by Desmond O'Connor, But First This is a witty and lovingly irreverent new musical set in the world of Woman’s Hour, The Shipping Forecast, The Today Programme,
Big Ben and, of course, the Pips.
Just a Minute, make sure you’re on the Front Row, Today, Saturday Live or Midweek, not at Broadcasting House but at The Watermill Theatre. It’s guaranteed to be livelier than Book at Bedtime. Warning: an
in-depth knowledge of Farming Today may be required!
‘The actor playing me will obviously not be quite young enough or sexy enough.’
John Humphrys, presenter Today
‘I feel a West End transfer coming on!’
‘Proper brilliant!’
Clare Balding, presenter Ramblings
Just a Minute is written by Kathy Clugston and marks her musical theatre writing debut, inspired by 9 years of firsthand experience behind the microphone as a newsreader for BBC Radio 4. Kathy is also known as the Posh Radio 4 Lady (PR4L) in her regular appearances on The Scott Mills Showon Radio 1. She is the official voice of the Nobel Institute, narrating the annual documentary film about the Nobel prize winners which is shown on television around the world. With the Kensington Chamber Orchestra she has narrated Peter and the Wolf, The Three Little Pigs, The Owl and the Pussy Cat and We're Going on a Bear Hunt, and she made a guest appearance at the Proms in 2009 in Tavener's The Whale.
Written by Kathy Clugston
Music by Desmond O'Connor
Directed by Michael Kingsbury
In association with Act Productions Ltd
PETER PAN
By J M Barrie
Thursday 20 November 2014 - Sunday 4 January 2015
By arrangement with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and Samuel French Ltd
When the mischievous Peter Pan swoops in with tales of a magical place far beyond London’s starlit sky, what child can resist? Dreaming of fun and tempted by the promise of adventure, Wendy and her brothers journey with Peter to the mystical world of Neverland where children never have to grow up.
Together they explore a land with sparkling mermaids, swashbuckling pirates and a ticking crocodile. With the help of Peter’s band of Lost Boys and a sprinkling of fairy dust, they must brave the perils of Neverland and defeat the villainous Captain Hook. A classic story of magic, courage and friendship with original music to warm your heart, fly away for an unforgettable adventure in Neverland.
Together they explore a land with sparkling mermaids, swashbuckling pirates and a ticking crocodile. With the help of Peter’s band of Lost Boys and a sprinkling of fairy dust, they must brave the perils of Neverland and defeat the villainous Captain Hook. A classic story of magic, courage and friendship with original music to warm your heart, fly away for an unforgettable adventure in Neverland.
Peter Pan features original musical by Simon Slater, who has composed scores for productions including Constellations at the Royal Court and Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Adapted by Robin Belfield and Simon Slater
Directed by Robin Belfield
Original music by Simon Slater
Designed by Neil Irish
Lighting designed by Mark Dymock
The Watermill is a local theatre with a national reputation. From a converted watermill in rural West Berkshire seating just 220 people, The Watermill creates award-winning work that is recognised throughout the UK and abroad, with a bold artistic ambition to present a range of work from Shakespeare, classic plays and new writing to the reimagining of large-scale musicals. Alongside West End and Broadway transfers, and national and international tours, The Watermill also creates productions for small-scale touring, ensuring that those living in rural isolation are able to enjoy high quality theatre on their doorstep. Attracting the very best artists and creative teams, both established and at the early stages of their careers, The Watermill has earned itself a reputation as one of the very best producing theatres in the country.
