The Watermill Theatre will mark six decades of making theatre in 2027 with an anniversary season celebrating its distinctive creative spirit, community impact and enduring legacy.
The Watermill Theatre has announced its full 2027 season, marking 60 years of the acclaimed Newbury-based theatre with a programme of much-loved productions, bold new interpretations, world premieres and special events.
Alongside its anniversary season, the Watermill will celebrate the people, productions and audiences that have shaped the organisation over the past six decades, while looking ahead to its future through ambitious outreach and fundraising initiatives.
As part of its anniversary year, the theatre will launch a brand-new Community Collective project, alongside Creative Futures, a public fundraising campaign aiming to raise £60,000 throughout 2027 to support the Watermill’s future.
The anniversary season reflects the distinctive qualities that have defined the Watermill’s work for 60 years: innovative theatre-making, creative collaboration and a deep connection to its local community, combined with a reputation for reaching audiences across the UK and internationally.
Paul Hart and Claire Murray, Joint-CEOs of the Watermill Theatre, said:
In planning for this year, we’ve tried to capture the essence of what is so special about the Watermill’s work, both on and off stage. Both deeply rooted in our community and consistently reaching across the UK and the globe, in 2027 we hope to celebrate the distinctive quality of our work and to continue to connect with audiences, communities, creatives and artists in ways that make an important difference to their lives. We hope this season has something for everyone and offers a chance for our entire Watermill community to celebrate the incredible past and exciting future of this unique organisation
A season of much-loved productions, bold reinventions and new work
The anniversary year opens with Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s smash-hit comedy The Wipers Times, returning to the Watermill ten years after its premiere at the theatre.
The Watermill Youth Ensemble will follow with a fresh take on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, celebrating 40 years of the Watermill Youth Theatre and its longstanding commitment to nurturing young talent.
Next, Jez Butterworth’s multi-award-winning Jerusalem returns in a new staging based on the Watermill’s acclaimed 2018 production, bringing the modern classic back to the countryside so deeply woven into its story.
Audiences will be invited into the heart of the action with Alan Ayckbourn’s darkly comic Way Upstream, staged outdoors on a boat just off the River Lambourn.
The summer will see the Watermill take on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved musical Carousel in a dynamic new reimagining. Combining music and dance across the theatre and its grounds, the production will breathe fresh life into this much-loved classic.
In autumn, the Watermill will present the world premiere of Enigma, Mike Poulton’s new adaptation of Robert Harris’ bestselling thriller set at Bletchley Park.
The anniversary year will conclude with a brand-new adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s Beauty and the Beast, featuring a folk-inspired score and the signature theatrical magic for which the Watermill is known.
Together, the productions celebrate the breadth of the Watermill’s artistic identity, revisiting landmark works and creative approaches from its history while continuing its tradition of reinvention and ambitious storytelling.
Celebrating 60 years — and looking to the future
Beyond the stage, the Watermill’s anniversary year will shine a spotlight on the role the theatre plays in its community and the people who make its work possible.
The launch of the Community Collective project will mark a new chapter in the Watermill’s outreach work, while Creative Futures will invite the public to help secure the theatre’s future through a fundraising campaign with a target of £60,000 in 2027.
From its productions and partnerships to its engagement with audiences and communities, the Watermill’s 60th anniversary will celebrate the organisation’s achievements while looking forward to the next chapter in its story.
With six decades of theatre-making behind it, a landmark anniversary season ahead and new ambitions for the future, the Watermill Theatre invites audiences, supporters and its wider community to join the celebrations.
Booking information
Priority booking for the first three productions will open in October 2026, with the remainder of the season going on sale in 2027.
- Pre-priority booking: The Wipers Times, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Jerusalem — 21 October, 1pm
- Priority booking: 23 October, 1pm
- General booking: 30 October, 1pm
- Remaining 2027 season: On sale in 2027
For further information and to book tickets, visit the Watermill Theatre’s website.
