ABOUT US
The existence of a mill at Bagnor is recorded in the Domesday Book and the building has served as a corn mill and a paper mill for hundreds of years with its beautiful tithe barn alongside. It was converted into a theatre in the early 1960’s and the first short professional season opened in 1967.
In recent years The Watermill has progressed into the top league of regional theatre and many shows produced here have had their full potential realised by transferring to London, or touring throughout the UK or overseas – to more than 25 countries worldwide.
Particular artistic partnerships nurtured by the late Jill Fraser, Artistic Director, with directors such as Ed Hall and John Doyle have resulted in strands of work – Shakespeare and Music Theatre – that now have their own strong identity countrywide, developing loyal audiences accordingly.
The Watermill is a resource for the surrounding community and beyond. It aims to spread knowledge and understanding about the arts and in particular the art of theatre, through the production of plays and related activities including touring, education workshops, youth and community work.
We actively encourage new writing and nurture talented individuals in all areas. Our programme of work is designed to entertain, to challenge and to enrich the quality of life for all, whether participants or audience.
MUSIC THEATRE
Although John Doyle had worked at The Watermill previously, the concentration on his own particular genre of actor/musician work really began to establish itself at The Watermill from 1998. The work has attracted critical acclaim and national awards.
Three of the productions have transferred to London and the most recent, Sweeney Todd, has enjoyed a six-month run at the Trafalgar Studios and then the New Ambassadors Theatre. It opened on Broadway last November with an American cast and has scooped two prestigious Tony Awards.
The Award for Best Musical Direction was won by Director, John Doyle and Best Orchestrations by Musical Director, Sarah Travis.
CABARET 1998
THE WIZARD OF OZ 1998
IRMA LA DOUCE 1999
CARMEN 2000
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 2000
THE GONDOLIERS 2001
TMA AWARD – BEST MUSICAL 2001
Transferred to the Lyric Theatre,
Shaftesbury Avenue
"theatrically inventive and musically ingenious this dynamic little venue is a theatrical hot spot" THE GUARDIAN
"‘just brilliant" EVENING STANDARD
"bliss" THE TIMES
PIAF 2001
"works brilliantly….a sensational performance by Josephine Baird" DAILY TELEGRAPH
CINDERELLA AND THE ENCHANTED SLIPPER 2001
"the haunting music, feels threaded through like the gorgeous golden threads in a marvellous tapestry. It follows you out of the theatre and into your dreams. THE GUARDIAN
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF 2002
TMA AWARD – BEST MUSICAL 2002
"Well, blow me – you could knock me down with a feather….John Doyle and his talented bunch of actor-musicians have struck gold again" THE GUARDIAN
TEN CENTS A DANCE 2002
"a sheer delight" THE GUARDIAN
"it’s amazing what a little care and innovation can do."
EVENING STANDARD
A STAR DANCED 2003
"a highly enjoyable, richly ambivalent play"
THE GUARDIAN
SWEENEY TODD 2004
Transferred to the Trafalgar Studios and then to the New Ambassadors Theatre. It opened on Broadway in November 2005 with an American cast to great critical acclaim.
2006 TONY AWARDS
Best Musical Direction, John Doyle
Best Orchestrations, Sarah Travis
WHAT’S ON STAGE THEATRE GOERS CHOICE AWARDS 2005
Best Musical Revival & Best Ensemble Performance
DRAMA LEAGUE AWARD (Broadway Production)
Best Musical Revival
"glorious blend of beautiful lyricism, magnificent score – and gallons of blood " DAILY TELEGRAPH
"Sondheim’s greatest – and goriest – musical gets a superbly atmospheric revival at the beautiful Watermill."
ROGUES AND VAGABONDS
MACK & MABEL 2005
2005 TMA Theatre Awards - Nomination for Best Musical
2005 TMA Theatre Awards - Best Performance in a Musical, Anna-Jane Casey in Mack & Mabel
“This is a production to set you tingling. Tough, and at its best, terrific.” THE TIMES
“What a show! The Watermill Theatre has excelled itself in this demanding stage musical… with skilful direction and a superbly versatile cast.” THE STAGE
SHAKESPEARE
Ed Hall first worked at the theatre in 1995 when he directed OTHELLO. Henry V in 1997 was the first time he worked with an all-male company which subsequently became known as PROPELLER.
For more information about Propeller click on this link www.propeller.org.uk
1997 HENRY V
1998 HENRY V & THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
Toured for 10 weeks in South America, Europe and S.E. Asia
1999 TWELFTH NIGHT
TMA AWARD - EDWARD HALL, BEST DIRECTOR
2001 ROSE RAGE
an adaptation by Ed hall and Roger Warren of Shakespeare’s trilogy HENRY V1 parts 1,2 and 3
TMA AWARD BEST TOURING PRODUCTION
Transferred to the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2002
“Startlingly original, highly intelligent…. It’s great to find this small, picturesque theatre producing work of such high ambition and achievement.” DAILY TELEGRAPH
“The intensity of this dynastic epic is what is most impressive… Hall proves himself a robust story teller with the instincts of a top horror film director.” EVENING STANDARD
2003 A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
TMA AWARD BEST TOURING PRODUCTION
Transferred to the Comedy Theatre
Invited to Brooklyn Academy for the Arts, New York’s leading venue for international work in 2004
“This is one of the best and most exciting productions of this great play I have seen, ever.” THE SUNDAY TIMES
“I’d go so far to say this production is touched by genius”
THE MAIL ON SUNDAY
“How to get your child hooked on Shakespeare.”
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
2005/06 THE WINTER’S TALE
2005 TMA THEATRE AWARD
Best Director Nominee, Edward Hall
“an evening that delights the heart as much as it stimulates the mind… A joy to behold.” THE TELEGRAPH
“in its finest hour (this production) is unforgettable.” THE TIMES
“One of the year’s major theatre events… as near perfect as theatre can get. This venture is quite inspiring.” REVIEWSGATE.COM
MUSIC HALL
Helen Watson was introduced to Artistic Director, Jill Fraser, in the early 1980’s when she was looking for a way of producing Music Hall at The Watermill. It was a fortuitous introduction. Helen has produced a new programme for The Watermill every year ranging from pure music hall to variety to modern musicals. Helen has an amazing knowledge of the genre and is herself a talented artiste.
Sadly there are few opportunities for young actors to experience music hall – comedy nights for example have rather taken over – but because of Jill Fraser's own enjoyment of Music Hall and admiration of so many individual acts, she is determined to keep it part of the Watermill’s annual programme. The full houses that Helen and her co-artistes attract each year prove that her enthusiasm is shared by many!