http://www.watermill.org.uk/This is the syndication feed for www.watermill.org.uk Barbara Taylor Bradford, Jo Brand and Gervase Phinn  October Watermill Book Club authors We’re delighted to welcome three hugely popular and very different authors to The Watermill Book Club. http://www.watermill.org.uk/best_selling_authors_at_the_watermill.html02/09/2010 17:16:12Following her sell-out first visit to The Watermill, Jo Brand returns for a second helping, this time with her autobiography, Can’t Stand up for Sitting Down. If you were one of the lucky ones who enjoyed her warm and sometimes down-right earthy sense of humour at her last event you will be first in the queue to get tickets. http://www.watermill.org.uk/watermill_book_club_jo_brand.html01/09/2010 17:14:20Need a pick-me-up? Would you like to be amused? An afternoon in the company of witty and often downright funny Gervase Phinn reading from and talking about his latest Out of the Woods But Not Over the Hill book will make you look at life and laugh aloud. Now in his 7th decade, Gervase Phinn is not ready for afternoon naps and games of dominoes. He has discovered that being bit older has its advantages. You can express your feelings and opinions freely and forcefully. With this in mind, he gives warm and witty opinions on everything from marriage to manners and mobile phones to grandparents. Unearthing some of the most diverse of experiences, he writes about his memories spanning youth to adulthood. http://www.watermill.org.uk/watermill_book_club_gervase_phinn.html01/09/2010 17:05:24The Watermill is delighted to be hosting one of very few UK events with the celebrated author Barbara Taylor Bradford.  Her novel A Woman of Substance became one of the most successful mini-series of all time.  Now 26 books and 82 million copies later she shows she is still at the top of the game with her latest book Playing the Game.  http://www.watermill.org.uk/watermill_book_club_barbara_taylor_bradford.html01/09/2010 16:56:42We wish to thank all of you who have so generously donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee Pakistan Floods Appeal. In just 4 days we managed to raise a huge £2890. The money you have raised will help provide vital emergency aid to the many devasted communities affected by this, so thank you! http://www.watermill.org.uk/A_massive_thank_you!.html13/08/2010 11:02:12 Wanna buy an island? Missed out on the great Greek Island sale?  For a mere £500 you can sponsor your very own island in balmy Bagnor during the run of Treasure Island. A stunning, sandy oasis complete with the river Lambourn lapping the shores, flashing LED green palm tree, X marking the spot and your company’s name on view to thousands during the run.  And when the Hispaniola has sailed you can take your palm tree home with you in the knowledge that it cost you just half the RRP.  http://www.watermill.org.uk/sponsor_an_island_in_bagnor_!.html04/08/2010 14:33:47 The Waterminis, our drama group for under 5s, celebrates the end of their first year today with a special outdoor picnic. Since September, the toddlers and their mums, dads, and grandparents have been coming along to weekly sessions of songs, games, and movement, before getting together for a sociable chat over tea, biscuits and juice. http://www.watermill.org.uk/happy_first_birthday_waterminis.html07/07/2010 14:31:29Two of six thirty minute musicals by members of Mercury Musical Development with a distinctly English focus. After Lydia by Christine Denniston and Gwyneth Herbert A poignant love story about a man coming to terms with impending loss and a woman preparing for the end. Trying to protect one another from the, truth they discover, before it’s too late, the depth of their love.http://www.watermill.org.uk/sounds_of_england_free_tickets.html06/07/2010 16:44:58 Are you local to The Watermill and not sure what to do with your old batteries? Don’t put them in your dustbin and so into landfill, bring them to the theatre where there’s a collection point in the foyer. It’s estimated that up to 20,000 tonnes of primary and secondary batteries are land-filled in the UK every year. The average household uses approx 20-30 batteries per year and it’s increasing. To find out more about the recycling scheme go to www.accumulatorrecycling.co.uk http://www.watermill.org.uk/battery_recycling_centre_at_the_watermill.htmlLike no other Hamlet you’ve seen before! Having bewitched audiences last autumn, this remarkable Zimbabwean company returns with its own unique Hamlet. Using just a few props, the two remarkable actors play all the roles, telling the story in ‘township’ style with a simplicity that is filled with imagination. Both thought provoking and humorous, Hamlet looks at themes of family relationships and power set against a backdrop of life in a transitional society.http://www.watermill.org.uk/kupenga_kwa_hamlet_on_tour.html This year The Watermill Theatre’s Annual Summer Fair was blessed in terms of weather and visitors.  The rain clouds kept at bay and well over 800 people flocked to what many describe as the best family day out in the area.  The Aldbrickham band with Marianne Segal created a folk-filled atmosphere where people danced, bought plants, books, bric a brac, cakes and tried to win a coconut or one of the wonderful prizes on the hoopla and the tombola.  The duck race was, as ever, very popular as was the face painting. The Quarter Too Ensemble presented a hilarious 3 man version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Ice creams and Pimms sold in impressive quantities as did the hog roast and salads created by supporters of the theatre. The theatre also received generous support from many local businesses and organisations who kindly donated prizes to the grand draw, making a substantial contribution to the financial success of the afternoon.’ http://www.watermill.org.uk/another_successful_watermill_summer_fair.html National Awards for Stage Management Shortlist Announced The Watermill's stage management team have been shortlisted for this year's Team of the Year award for the 2009-2010 Watermill season. http://www.watermill.org.uk/stage_management_team_shortlisted_for_national_award.html Winner of 2010 TMA award for Best Musical Kirsty Hoiles (young Viv) TMA award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.http://www.watermill.org.uk/spend_spend_spend.htmlIf you like Nigel Slater then you will adore Sarah Raven. Award-winning cook, gardener, florist, broadcaster and writer Sarah makes regular appearances on Gardeners’ World, when she is not working on her own farm at Perch Hill or at home at Sissinghurst Castle. She is the author of the award-winning The Cutting Garden, Sarah Raven's Garden Cookbook and Sarah Raven's Complete Christmas.   Sarah's new book, Sarah Raven’s food for Family and Friends is a sumptuous collection of over 400 seasonal recipes for sharing and savouring.  In this beautiful book, Sarah Raven takes us through the year with recipes that will appeal to best friends, children, uncles and mother-in-laws alike. Her seasonal recipes are utterly delectable, and include Beetroot tart with horseradish cream, Sussex stewed steak, Sesame salmon with pea pesto, Banbury cakes, Blackcurrant mousse ice cream, plumb syllabub and so much more.http://www.watermill.org.uk/watermill_book_club_sarah_raven.htmlWith Ronnie Thompson, Rob Ryan and Barbara Nadel This is a Book Club event with a difference.  You’ve read crime novels and thrillers and probably wondered how true to life they were – well this is your chance to find out.  We have brought together three writers who have worked in the world of crime.  They will talk about the glitz and grit of the real life crime world – from cops and robbers, to the truth about life behind bars to the real life story of one the biggest heists in history.  The panellists are: Ronnie Thompson, former prison officer and author of the memoir Screwed and true crime novel Banged Up. Rob Ryan, Sunday Times journalist and author of a non-fiction book on The Great Train Robbery. Barbara Nadel, award-winning author of  a series of novels featuring Turkish detective Çetin İkmen, and a second crime series set in East London during The Blitz featuring undertaker, Francis Hancock.http://www.watermill.org.uk/watermill_book_club_true_crime_panel.htmlIf you’re interested in what goes on behind the scenes, then come along to one of our backstage tours where you’ll get to meet the staff, see where the actors rehearse and prepare and visit the old and new buildings that make up The Watermill. http://www.watermill.org.uk/backstage_tour.htmlIf you’re interested in what goes on behind the scenes, then come along to one of our backstage tours where you’ll get to meet the staff, see where the actors rehearse and prepare and visit the old and new buildings that make up The Watermill. http://www.watermill.org.uk/backstage_tour.htmlEver wanted to have a go at singing Les Miserables or Phantom? This is a unique opportunity to sing songs from the greatest musicals ever written.  Spend the daytime with a group of like-minded people learning the songs, and then perform them in the evening in our beautiful tithe barn. Music is provided and there are no auditions. Places are open to anyone over the age of 14yrs.http://www.watermill.org.uk/scratch_choir.htmlAs a special package with Copacabana tickets, we are offering the chance to learn to dance the Latin American way for this musical extravaganza. Come along and release your inner cha-cha-cha. We can’t guarantee that you’ll be swinging your way into the next season of So You Think You Can Dance, but we can guarantee lots of laughs. Suitable for 16 upwards.http://www.watermill.org.uk/copacabana_salsa_classes.htmlJoin us on the lawn at The Watermill as Yellowtale Theatre Company lead a joyous romp through the best bits of the Bard.  Familiar delights and re-discovered treasures from the works of Shakespeare and friends (or rivals?)http://www.watermill.org.uk/shakespeare_in_the_garden.htmlFather Christmas had such a lovely time when he visited The Watermill last year that he’s asked to come and see us all again. After a ride on his horse-drawn sleigh, children enjoy table-top activities, share their Christmas letters and lists with Father Christmas beneath the Christmas tree and receive a small gift. Refreshments Hot chocolate and hot dogs will be on sale with mulled wine and mince pies for adults.http://www.watermill.org.uk/father_christmas_at_the_watermill.htmlTo celebrate our swashbuckling Christmas show this year, Treasure Island, we are holding a special pirate day during half term. Hunt the treasure in our beautiful gardens, listen to tales of pirate adventures in the theatre and exchange your eye-patch, pirate hat and cutlass for one of the costumes from our wardrobe department in costume play time.  All this and themed table-top activities too. Come and join in the fun! The day is suitable for 5 to 12 year olds. http://www.watermill.org.uk/pirate_day.htmlA performance of poems, music and stories to celebrate National Poetry Day. Come along dressed as a character from your favourite story to hear poems, tales and songs old and new from much-loved authors, and some exciting suprises too. Yum, yum!http://www.watermill.org.uk/poetry_soup.htmlWarm up your funny bones for the world’s only stand-up comedian for children. Think there is no such thing?  Think again.  James’ unique style covers everything from parents to Playstations; why we have hair and what he had for breakfast.  http://www.watermill.org.uk/james_campbells_comedy_4_kids.htmlOur play reading sessions are a bit like a book club.  They’re an opportunity to meet with like-minded people in a friendly, relaxed get-together.  We’ll read and discuss sections of much loved works. You don’t need to read the texts in advance just come along and read them with us. Tickets: £5 Wednesday 6 October  from 2pm - 4pm Habeus Corpus -  a hilarious farce by Alan Bennett, the writer of Single Spies.http://www.watermill.org.uk/play_reading_for_adults_shakespeare's_sonnets.htmlOur play reading sessions are a bit like a book club.  They’re an opportunity to meet with like-minded people in a friendly, relaxed get-together.  We’ll read and discuss sections of much loved works. You don’t need to read the texts in advance just come along and read them with us. Habeas Corpus is a hilarious farce by Alan Bennett, the writer of Single Spies. Tickets: £5 Monday 8th November from 7pm to 8.30pm Shakespeare’s Sonnetshttp://www.watermill.org.uk/play_reading_for_adults_habeas_corpus_by_alan_bennett.htmlFor the first time, The Watermill is inviting adults to come regularly and discover more about the craft of acting. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or newly curious, our professional actors will take you through the elements of a great performance, improving the quality of your acting and your confidence in your own ability. There’ll be classes in working with scripts, stage combat, masks, voice, movement, and improvisation.http://www.watermill.org.uk/adult_acting_course.htmlDon't while away winter, smile away winter! Join us once again for a post Christmas cracker of an evening with Miss Helen Watson and Company for the 24th year!! A show of fun and frolics, music and mirth, songs and sketches. The team that brought you ‘Catastrophe Jane’ returns with more mayhem and magic. We guarantee you will forget the winter blues, with some familiar faces providing tantalising titillation. Get together with a party of friends for a superbly, scintillating sample of Seasonal Sauce. Book early to avoid disappointment.http://www.watermill.org.uk/seasonal_sauce.htmlThe story spans two eras at the same location; Mason's Farm somewhere to the west of Newbury in 1940, and again in the summer of 1996. Into this world arrives a group of Land Army girls 'digging for victory' during the Second World War. Fifty years later their grand-daughters, students at the local college, become involved in the road protest of the late nineties. Both groups of young women defend the land in their own way and the past and present blend and bleed as both stories plunge into resonant crisis. Funny, poetic, moving and tragic this story also has another eloquent character, the extraordinary and patient landscape of West Berkshire itself.http://www.watermill.org.uk/bullets_&_beetroot_lips.htmlLike no other Hamlet you’ve seen before! Having bewitched audiences last autumn, this remarkable Zimbabwean company returns with its own unique Hamlet. Using just a few props, the two remarkable actors play all the roles, telling the story in ‘township’ style with a simplicity that is filled with imagination. Both thought provoking and humorous, Hamlet looks at themes of family relationships and power set against a backdrop of life in a transitional society.http://www.watermill.org.uk/kupenga_kwa_hamlet.htmlEspionage, interrogation and double-lives in these two award-winning plays. With his customary wit and observation Alan Bennett delves into the world of espionage, forgery and double-lives.   In her dressing room in a Moscow theatre, actress Coral Browne receives an inebriated visitor, a familiar, upper-class Englishman. An invitation slipped under her door later reveals her visitor to be disgraced spy Guy Burgess. She is invited to dine at his Moscow flat armed only with the instruction to “bring a tape measure”.... Funny and engaging, An Englishman Abroad explores the fascinating world of a British double-agent as he comes to terms with his new life in exile.     A Question of Attribution follows Anthony Blunt, revered Art Historian and Surveyor of the Queen’s pictures who accidently encounters the Queen whilst trying to replace her much-loved Titian painting. A sharp and dangerous exchange of wits ensues, but will he reveal to her what would later be revealed to the world - that the man who worked in the heart of her household was also a Soviet spy?  A sharp, pithy play that explores the murky shadows that lurk behind even the most familiar of facades.http://www.watermill.org.uk/single_spies.html Winner of 2010 TMA award for Best Musical  Kirsty Hoiles (young Viv) TMA award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.http://www.watermill.org.uk/spend_spend_spend_!.html New York City, showbiz capital of the world. Lo La Mar, small-town girl with big dreams of stardom trails from one steamy nightclub to another looking for her big break. Enter budding song writer, Tony Star, with dreams of his own. Smitten by the lovely Lola, he arranges an audition at the Copacabana and launches her career as a Copa girl. But the path of true love never did run smoothly and the Lola is whisked away by the villainous Rico to perform in his club, the Tropicana, in Havana. Aided by the sensational Cuban star Conchita Alvarez, Tony stages a dramatic rescue... Steamy, sexy, dazzling and daring, enter the world of the Copacabana and its pulsating rhythms where music and passion are always in fashion!http://www.watermill.org.uk/barry_manilows-copacabana.htmlThis striking adaptation of Gulliver’s extraordinary journey is true to the spirit of Jonathan Swift’s original stunning, fantastical adult satire. It not only leaps 300 years of progress like a tiny Lilliputian sea, it strikes a deep chord of human truth, laughter and empathy over the centuries.http://www.watermill.org.uk/gullivers_travels_at_east_garston.htmlTracy Chevalier achieved international success with her book Girl with a Pearl Earring which was subsequently made into a film starring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. Her latest novel, Remarkable Creatures, set in the early 19th century, tells how one woman's gift transcends class and gender to lead to some of the most important discoveries of the century. Above all, it is a revealing portrait of the intricate and resilient nature of female friendship.http://www.watermill.org.uk/the_watermill_book_club_tracy_chevalier.html THE FINAL CHOICES ARE MADE FOR THE WATERMILL’S NEW WRITING COMPETITION RAISING VOICESThe final selection for The Watermill’s new writing competition Raising Voices has been made. A team of readers headed by Ade Morris, The Watermill Outreach Director, read the 47 entries, http://www.watermill.org.uk/new_writing_competition_winners_announced.htmlShiver me timbers, landlubbers, pin back your ears and I’ll tell you a tale of mysterious strangers, mutinous pirates and buried treasure. Come aboard the good ship Hispaniola with me, cabin boy Jim Hawkins, and we’ll sail across the seas on the hunt for Captain Flint’s hidden gold. We’ll outwit that old seadog, the notorious pirate Long John Silver and his madcap crew, but watch out for the black spot! Calling pirate girls and boys everywhere, heave-ho me hearties, we’re off on an action-packed, exciting, adventure!  Don't forget to throw on your pirate costume and join in with the fun. Tickets £10.50, £15.50 and £17.50http://www.watermill.org.uk/treasure_island.html “We started together on this terrace and we'll finish together under the poplar trees.”http://www.watermill.org.uk/heroes.htmlAt the end of William Fiennes’ bestselling and award-winning debut, The Snow Geese, Fiennes returns from a long journey and leaves the reader as he walks up the drive to his family home, Broughton Castle. Here, in The Music Room, he leads us in to the heart of that home. Bursting with tender detail and combining quiet humour, tactful pathos and wisdom, The Music Room is a sensuous and deeply moving tribute to place, memory and the permanence of love. Join William as he discusses the book and talks about his childhood growing up in awe of his epileptic brother, Richard. He is the recipient of the Somerset Maugham Award and was the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year. Tickets £5 Lunch A buffet lunch is available in our restaurant from 12 noon. Please make your restaurant reservation when you book your tickets. http://www.watermill.org.uk/the_watermill_book_club_william_fiennes.htmlIf you’re interested in what goes on behind the scenes, then come along to one of our backstage tours where you’ll get to meet the staff, see where the actors rehearse and prepare and visit the old and new buildings that make up The Watermill. Prices: £15 per person for a tour of the theatre and one course meal with coffee. £25 per person for a tour, one course meal with coffee and a ticket for the matinee performance of Daisy Pulls It Off. Booking is open to individuals and groups. Please call the box office on 01635 46044. Tours for school groups may be arranged on request through The Watermill Outreach department on 01635 570927 or email outreach@watermill.org.uk http://www.watermill.org.uk/backstage_tour_2606.htmlIf you’re interested in what goes on behind the scenes, then come along to one of our backstage tours where you’ll get to meet the staff, see where the actors rehearse and prepare and visit the old and new buildings that make up The Watermill. Prices: £15 per person for a tour of the theatre and one course meal with coffee. £25 per person for a tour, one course meal with coffee and a ticket for the matinee performance of  Brontë . Booking is open to individuals and groups. Please call the box office on 01635 46044. Tours for school groups may be arranged on request through The Watermill Outreach department on 01635 570927 or email outreach@watermill.org.uk http://www.watermill.org.uk/backstage_tour_2904.htmlIf you’re interested in what goes on behind the scenes, then come along to one of our backstage tours where you’ll get to meet the staff, see where the actors rehearse and prepare and visit the old and new buildings that make up The Watermill. Prices £15 per person for a tour of the theatre and one course meal with coffee. £25 per person for a tour, one course meal with coffee and a ticket for the matinee performance of Heroes. Booking is open to individuals and groups. Please call the box office on 01635 46044. Tours for school groups may be arranged on request through The Watermill Outreach department on 01635 570927 or email outreach@watermill.org.uk http://www.watermill.org.uk/backstage_tour_0403.htmlROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD by Tom Stoppard, the translator of Heroes This new addition to our programme offers you the chance to meet with like-minded people in a friendly, relaxed get-together, reading and discussing sections of much loved plays. You don’t have to have read the play in advance, just come along and discover it with us. Tickets: £5 each Other Play Readings Monday 19 April Jane Eyre by Polly Teale, author of the play Brontë http://www.watermill.org.uk/play_reading_for_adults.htmlDue to popular demand, our acting and play writing skills workshops are back for another season. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain an insight and expand your knowledge of what it takes to work in theatre. The cost per person is £12 and includes a glass of wine or soft drink on arrival. http://www.watermill.org.uk/workshop_for_adults_play_writing.htmlLeading storyteller, Mary Medlicott will be telling the tales of Shemi Wad, local legend and master of mischief and famously far-fetched tales. His incredible stories of heroic exploits involved giant crabs, right-angled rifles, and human cannonballs. Shemi never fails to amuse his listeners. Storytelling is the oldest art form in the world. Many, many years ago, when the only form of communication was by word of mouth, stories were the sole means of education and spreading news. Stories are not learned by rote or read from books but retold by the tellers, making each interpretation unique. Now with this retelling, a new generation can enjoy Shemi's exploits. Come and enjoy these highly entertaining and fanciful tales of Pembrokeshire’s most famous fibber. Tickets: £5 Suitable for age 5 upwards The performance lasts for 60 minuteshttp://www.watermill.org.uk/shemis_tall_tales_told_by_mary_medlicott.htmlDue to popular demand, our acting and play writing skills workshops are back for another season. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain an insight and expand your knowledge of what it takes to work in theatre. The cost per person is £12 and includes a glass of wine or soft drink on arrival. Wednesday 19 May Play writing workshop http://www.watermill.org.uk/workshop_for_adults_acting_skills.html"... an evening of theatrical bliss." The Oxford Times "...a robust, energetic and delightful show that kept the audience on the edge of their seats for two hours." Theatreworld “It’s a top-hole evening ... as Trixie would say – Jubilate!” Wiltshire Gazette & Herald “…this 80s favourite comes up fresh and funny.”  Reviewsgate It's 1927 and Daisy Meredith is the first scholarship girl taken from an elementary school to be allowed access to the hallowed halls of Grangewood School for Young Ladies. Enthusiastic and plucky to the last, Daisy finds herself struggling against unspeakable snobs Sybil and Monica and their ghastly schemes to get her expelled. Ably assisted by her new best friend, madcap and self styled poet, Trixie Martin, Daisy finds herself caught up in a series of irresistible adventures including the search for missing treasure. Can they work out the mysterious clues and save the school from closure? Or will they be beaten by the enigmatic Mr Scoblowski? This riotous and affectionate pastiche of the classic girls' school story was a huge West End hit and won the Olivier Award and Drama Theatre Award for Best Comedy. Full of hilarious characters and splendid scrapes Daisy Pulls it Off celebrates, with a sly wit and a big heart, an arguably sweeter, more innocent era. http://www.watermill.org.uk/daisy_pulls_it_off.htmlThis striking adaptation of Gulliver’s extraordinary journey is true to the spirit of Jonathan Swift’s original stunning, fantastical adult satire. It not only leaps 300 years of progress like a tiny Lilliputian sea, it strikes a deep chord of human truth, laughter and empathy over the centuries.http://www.watermill.org.uk/gullivers_travels2.html"...a wonderful, brooding and densely layered examination of the nature of female creativity." Lyn Gardner - The Guardian "The Watermill’s creative juices flow alongside and within the devised and experimental style of Shared Experience, producing a perfect contrast between simple reality and the heady fantasies of the Bronte sisters’ writings."  The Stage Constrained by their background and their sex, three girls grow up in an isolated parsonage on the Yorkshire moors with an overbearing father and a brother unable to cope with the weight of his family’s expectations. Against this backdrop, the Brontë sisters write novels and create powerful and passionate characters that have ensured their place in our literary history. Heathcliffe, Cathy Earnshaw, Arthur Huntingdon and the first Mrs Rochester come to life as the sisters’ story unfolds. Brontë is a fascinating glimpse into the life, mind and works of this extraordinary family. An exciting opportunity for you to see a production that was a sell-out success when it toured in 2005, presented by two renowned, award-winning producers of theatre, The Watermill and Shared Experience. Brontë is directed by Nancy Meckler and written by co-Artistic Director of Shared Experience, Polly Teale, whose previous plays for the company include the highly-acclaimed Jane Eyre and After Mrs Rochester which both transferred to the West End. Tickets: £13 to £24 First Week Special On the first Thursday and Friday all seats £13 (no other discounts apply)http://www.watermill.org.uk/bronte.htmlNo sooner does the spirited D’Artagnan arrive in Paris to fulfil his dream of becoming a Musketeer of the Guard, than he finds himself embroiled in a dangerous battle of wits between the villainous Cardinal and the wayward Queen of France. Impressed by his courage and honour, the famously gallant three musketeers adopt him into their circle and so begins a series of sensational, swashbuckling adventures. The Senior Youth Theatre presents this heroic story of inseparable friends on their quest for honour and justice to save the beautiful damsel in distress. Full of action, romance and comedy, this classic tale celebrates the spirit of friendship and their voracious lust for life. Supported by: The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust Tickets  £10.50     Concessions £6.50http://www.watermill.org.uk/the_three-musketeers.htmlMove over Miller, Shakespeare, Coward and Shaw! The final selection for The Watermill’s new writing competition has been made. A team of readers headed by Ade Morris, The Watermill Outreach Director, read the 47 entries: "This is the third time that The Watermill has hosted the Raising Voices festival for new writers in theatre, and the standard of plays submitted has been higher than ever. From such a wealth of storytelling, moving, funny, tragic and timely, finding just a handful to read to the public has been tricky - however we do have four clear winners, two longer and two short plays, which we think The Watermill audiences will enjoy; each is very different and reflects a different theatrical style." The plays will be performed as a rehearsed reading by professional actors. Monday 29th March ONE PLUS INFINITY by Jimmy Brown Directed by Eve Leigh Dyslexic young singer Isla is in crisis, in her life and relationship, following her diagnosis with melanoma. At the Rosemberg Clinic she meets a fellow sufferer, Jack. Jack also has Asperger's syndrome and is a brilliant student at Cambridge. As time flicks backwards we discover a touching, funny and life affirming love story with great resonance. Tuesday 30th March THE ROAD TO PORT OF BARRY by Christopher J Orton and Robert Gould Directed by Jamie Harper Described by one of our readers as 'Gavin and Stacey with a gun' this Pinteresque farce set in a caravan is a shot of comedy and metaphysical whisky. Tuesday 30th March PLANTING DAVID by Laura Ellen Major Directed by Jamie Harper A village hall drama in a teacup in which small talk and flower beds hold a deadly secret. When Cheryl turns up to help her fellow ladies with a bit of strategic weeding in the village hall flower bed she brings with her a shocking revelation. Wednesday 31st March NEARER TO SHAKESPEARE by Jane Brough Directed by Derek Bond When Conrad Milner, the local randy bachelor, decides to settle down, he sparks a series of revelations and recollections spanning the last twenty-odd years. A drama of great breadth charting the lives and loves of a group of professional friends, their history and their hopes. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to experience new theatre on The Watermill stage. You could be among the first to discover a new Tom Stoppard, Caryl Churchill or Simon Stevens. Tickets £8 Concessions £5 BOOK ALL THREE EVENINGS - 4 PLAYS - FOR JUST  £18! Plays are suitable for age 14 upwards. Plays contain strong language http://www.watermill.org.uk/raising_voices.htmlhttp://www.watermill.org.uk/new_year_seasonal_sauce.html15/01/2010 16:50:00“It’s hard not to get caught up in her passion...snappy dialogue, tight plotting and realistic situations make Paretsky’s unapologetically politicised thrillers a pleasure to read, whatever your viewpoint.”  Daily Mail Multi-award winning American crime writer Sara Paretsky has fifteen books to her credit. She is best known for revolutionising the crime world with her female detective character V I Warshawski. Her many awards include the Cartier Diamond Dagger award for lifetime achievement from the British Crime Writers’ Association. Sara will be talking about her new novel, Hardball and how she manages to write with such unbeatable pace and a passion for justice. Tickets: £5 Lunch A buffet lunch is available in our restaurant from 12 noon. Please make your restaurant reservation when you book your tickets. http://www.watermill.org.uk/watermill_book_club_hard_ball.html18/12/2009 10:11:59 An evening of two one act plays by two local amateur companies: The Box Theatre Company and Newbury Dramatic Society. Sganarelle presented by Box Theatre Company A father wants what's best for his daughter but a daughter's will is one to be reckoned with. The mistrust that breeds within old love and the innocence of young love combine to create the opportunity for high jinx. In Moliere's play Sganarelle, misdirection and confusion provides fast and hilarious entertainment for all. Confusions presented by Newbury Dramatic Society In Alan Ayckbourn's play, the humour is based on a riotous summer fete, at which secrets come out at surprising times and a tea urn has a life of its own! In the second part, five singletons reflect on how and why their lives are not as cracked up as they are meant to be!http://www.watermill.org.uk/confused_love.html17/12/2009 17:18:51David Wood presents his own theatre show for children combining magic, music and audience participation in an hour of entertainment and fun. He is accompanied by Peter Pontzen, the BBC Playschool pianist.   "Take your earplugs for the cheering..." Daily Telegraphhttp://www.watermill.org.uk/david_woods_magic_show.html17/12/2009 17:11:46 The Watermill launches its new website!  Alongside show information we can display more great images, host video clips and give you a glimpse behind the scenes on our blog. From award-winning shows to Waterminis for the under 5's - find out all about us and let us know what you think.http://www.watermill.org.uk/new_website.html10/11/2009 14:43:32