The Watermill’s history is part of what makes us unique, and with a mill at Bagnor listed in the Domesday Book (1086), it goes back pretty far!

The current theatre building, originally an 1830s corn mill, is a little more recent, but it’s still taken a long journey of reclamation, restoration and reinvention to transform our theatre from a working mill into the creative powerhouse it is today.

1965: The Watermill opens as an 113-seat amateur theatre, converted from the derelict original 1830s building by David Gollins.

1967: The Watermill has its first in-house professional season.

1976-1978: David Gilmore becomes the first Artistic Director of The Watermill. Productions include Loot (1976) and The Heiress (1977).

Watermill founder David Gollins sits on the bridge of the river in front of the theatre. — David Gollins converted the derelict Watermill in 1965

1981: Jill Fraser & James Sargant purchase the theatre and Jill takes over as Artistic Director. Productions include Snoopy (1983 and 1998), The Archers Live (1985), Henry V (1997, with Propeller), Cabaret (1998), Twelfth Night (1999, with Propeller), Carmen (2000), and Sweeney Todd (2004).

1997: Jill Fraser and director Edward Hall’s collaboration on a Watermill production of Henry V sparks the creation of Propeller, a theatre company that would go on to become multi-award-winning and tour the world with their innovative approach to Shakespeare.

2001: The Gondoliers wins Theatrical Management Association Award for Best Musical. The Watermill wins Peter Brook Empty Space Award which recognises smaller, pioneering, or minimally funded UK theatres that capture the inventive spirit of director Peter Brook in their use of space and connection to their local community

2002: Rose Rage transfers to the West End. Fiddler on the Roof winsTheatrical Management Association Award for Best Musical

2005: Jill Fraser seeks to sell the Watermill to ensure its long-term future, and the Save the Watermill appeal is launched, aiming to raise £3 million to cover crucial building works and to enable the theatre’s trustees to buy the building.

Sweeney Todd Transfers to the West End

2006: James Sargant takes over as interim Executive Director with his final production being Merrily We Roll Along (2008). Mack and Mable transfers to the West End. Sweeney Todd transfers to Broadway, winning 2 Tonys and nominated for 4 others.

Jill Fraser sitting wearing a white cardigan, sitting with her dog Oscar — Jill Fraser was artistic director of the Watermill 1981 - 2006.

2007: Hedda Beeby takes over as Artistic Director. Productions include Radio Times (2011), Of Mice and Men (2012), Sherlock’s Last Case (2013), Calamity Jane (2014), Oliver! (2015).

2008: The Save the Watermill campaign reaches its target, with the support of over 4,000 individuals, trusts, foundations, and businesses, including David Suchet, Dame Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Timothy West CBE, Prunella Scales, Cleo Laine, John Dankworth and David Soul. West end transfer of Sunset Boulevard (2008)

2009: Spend Spend Spend! wins the Theatrical Management Association award for Best Musical.

2014: Hedda Beeby wins Theatre Manager of the Year at the UK Theatre Awards.

Hedda Beeby wearing a red dress and holding the award for Theatre Manager of the Year — Hedda Beeby receiving Theatre Manager of the Year at the UK Theatre Awards in 2014

2015: Paul Hart takes over from Hedda Beeby as Artistic Director. Productions include Romeo & Juliet (2015), The Wipers Times, Calamity Jane (2016), Jerusalem (2018), Amelie (2019), Spike (2022), Whistle Down The Wind (2022), and The Lord of the Rings (2023).

2017: The Watermill Ensemble is established, combining Shakespeare’s texts and live music to create new versions of the plays which toured the UK and form part of the Watermill’s education programme.

2020: The Hound of the Baskervilles, performed 3 weeks after Covid restrictions were relaxed enough for outdoor productions to take place, making the Watermill the first English theatre to open a new play commissioned and rehearsed since restrictions were relaxed.

2021: Amelié begins its West End transfer. Claire Murray appointed the theatre’s first Executive Director and joint CEO.

The cast of Jesus Christ Superstar on stage. Jesus is kneeling at the front of the stage with Judas stood behind him playing an electric guitar. — Jesus Christ Superstar (2025) won multiple awards including the UK Theatre Award Award for Best Musical Production.

2022: The Watermill receives a 100% cut in Arts Council England funding (14% of annual turnover).

2023: The Watermill produces The Lord of the Rings: A Musical Tale, it’s largest scale production to date with 20 actors on stage and creating the theatre’s first immersive summer musical.

2024: The Watermill wins Theatre of the Year 2024 at The Stage Awards (jointly with the National Theatre); the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Regional Production, the Stage Management Association Team Award and 8 BroadwayWorld awards for The Lord of the Rings; and is named the Greenham Trust’s Community Charity of the Year. Barnum is the summer musical.

The Lord of the Rings opens at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.

2025: The Lord of the Rings goes on to tour to New Zealand, Australia and Singapore. Calamity Jane undertakes a major UK tour. Jesus Christ Superstar is the summer musical and wins Best Musical Production at the UK Theatre Awards.

2026: The Watermill wins Theatre of the Year 2026 at The Stage Awards (jointly with the Royal Court); 9 Broadway World Awards including Best New Production of a Musical for Jesus Christ Superstar, The Stalls to Stage Award for Best Regional Production for Jesus Christ Superstar, and nominated for 3 WhatsOnStage Awards including Best Musical Revival. The production also won the UK Theatre Award for Best Musical Production.