The Watermill Theatre has released the first rehearsal images for Victoria: A Queen Unbound, the world premiere of a new play by Daisy Goodwin, creator of ITV’s Victoria. The production runs from Friday 27 March to Saturday 9 May, with a national press night on Tuesday 31 March.
Fresh from being named Theatre of the Year at The Stage Awards 2026, the Watermill has assembled a distinguished cast for this intimate and searching portrait of a monarch defined by love, duty and profound loss.
Set in Osborne House in 1901, the play finds an ageing Victoria clinging to her diaries as she confronts memories long buried. When the Queen’s younger self appears, the two Victorias must reckon with the truths that lie beneath the official record.
The cast is led by Amanda Boxer as Victoria, with Jessica Rhodes as Young Victoria and Rowan Polonski as Albert. Lydia Bakelmun plays Beatrice, Stephen Fewell plays Bertie and Steve Chusak plays Dr Reid.
The production reunites director Sophie Drake with the Watermill following their work on Charley’s Aunt. The creative team includes set and costume designer Alex Berry, lighting designer Ben Jacobs, sound designer and composer Asaf Zohar, and movement and intimacy director Asha Jennings‑Grant.
Director Sophie Drake said: “We have brought together an extraordinary company of actors and creative team to bring Daisy Goodwin’s brilliant new play, Victoria: A Queen Unbound, to life. The play explores the complexity of how we choose to be remembered in the face of one’s own mortality, while delving into our enduring fascination with what unfolds behind the closed doors of Britain’s monarchy. I cannot wait for audiences to experience it.”
Writer Daisy Goodwin will take part in a post‑show interview with her brother, historian Jason Goodwin, following the performance on Tuesday 21 April.
Victoria: A Queen Unbound is presented in arrangement with Theatre Global.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
