Joint CEOs Artistic Director Paul Hart and Executive Director Claire Murray, along with the entire team at Newbury’s Watermill Theatre unveil the summer and autumn productions for 2025 at the award-winning venue.
The Watermill’s 2025 summer musical will be a revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, the extraordinary rock opera by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Directed by Paul Hart, with set and costume design by David Woodhead, choreography by Anjali Mehra, and musical supervision and orchestration by Stuart Morley, Jesus Christ Superstar will run from 24 June to 21 September. This production is generously supported by Kindred Partners, with production sponsorship by Horsey Lightly.
A global phenomenon that has captivated audiences for decades, Jesus Christ Superstar is a timeless work set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally-known series of events, seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. The story, told entirely through song, explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers, and the Roman Empire.
Spilling out of the theatre into the gardens, audiences will be immersed in the heart of this epic 1970s rock score, with an incredible cast of actor-musicians seamlessly fusing these classic roles with iconic music including “Superstar,” “Gethsemane,” and “I Don’t Know How to Love Him.”
Premiering at the Watermill from 3 October to 15 November, Brandon Thomas’ riotous farce Charley’s Aunt is given a glamorous glow-up in a new adaptation by Rob Madge, the award-winning creator of My Son’s a Queer (But what can you do?), directed by Sophie Drake, winner of the 2024 Stage Debut Best Director Award.
Two scheming students, Charley and Jack, must navigate the curmudgeonly Uncle Stephen to declare their feelings to love interests Amy and Kitty. The promised arrival of Charley’s Aunt gives them an opportunity, and the best-laid plans are set. One delayed arrival, one fortuitous arrival, and lots of classic comic confusion later, the champagne is finally poured at a dinner party to remember.
Mistaken identities, new identities, and the discovery of true identities; will love – old and new – triumph through it all?
The Watermill is hosting a Come As You Are Night, in partnership with Newbury Pride, on Monday 27 October. Audiences are invited to come as they are, as their most comfortable selves, and gather together for drinks and nibbles from 6pm.
From 26 November to 4 January, the Watermill’s annual festive production is The Little Mermaid, by Lara Barbier, based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen. Directed by Elgiva Field, with songs by Amie Parsons of True Foxes, this new Watermill production weaves together salty sea air, folk and sea shanty-inspired songs, and an ethereal world below the waves for Christmas 2025.
Far out in the ocean, deep beneath the waves, is a colourful kingdom bursting with flowing flowers, glittering shells, and flittering fish. The Little Mermaid, daughter of the Sea King, eagerly awaits her birthday – the day she sees the world above the surface for the very first time.
The Little Mermaid discovers a world of twinkling lights, crashing waves, and jolly music. Drawn towards a ship, she rescues a young man with dark eyes and two prop legs, instead of a shimmering tail.
Longing to join him, the Little Mermaid’s thoughts stray to the world above the sea, as she dreams of life on land. Confronted by a deal with the scheming Sea Witch, the Little Mermaid must choose whether she’s willing to risk everything in the pursuit of love.
Paul Hart said, “This summer at the Watermill is going to be bigger than ever with our new production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. It’s going to be really special for audiences to experience this legendary musical in the intimate setting of the Watermill, with music played live onstage and a semi-immersive staging which will spill out of the theatre into the gardens. We have expanded the run to 100 performances this year to ensure more people than ever have a chance to book for an unforgettable summer musical following our recent sell-out shows.
This is followed by Rob Madge’s new adaptation of Brandon Thomas’ joyous farce, Charley’s Aunt. I’m really excited for us to share a version of this play from a twenty-first-century perspective, more celebratory than ever of the themes of self-discovery and gender identity.
This Christmas, we have a brilliant creative collaboration for The Little Mermaid with Elgiva Field directing, Lara Barbier writing the adaptation, and Amie Parsons of Cornish folk band, True Foxes, writing the songs. This will be the perfect follow-up to last year’s Pinocchio.”
Claire Murray added, “We’re excited to offer an iconic musical, a reimagined classic comedy, and a much-loved children’s fairytale to complete a thrilling 2025 programme at the Watermill. Working with EM Acoustics, we’ve upgraded our sound system over the last month and we’re looking forward to having audiences experience these improvements – particularly on our actor-musician-led productions of Piaf, Jesus Christ Superstar, and The Little Mermaid.
We’re also delighted to see The Lord of the Rings, which started its life here in 2023, return to the UK in October with a run in Plymouth before heading on a European tour, and the continuing success of Calamity Jane which is entertaining audiences all over the country.
The support of funders and donors and the commitment of our staff team has been essential to all of the work both in Newbury and beyond and we are indebted to everyone who has been part of bringing these shows to life.”
Priority booking opens for Members from Thursday 6 March, with memberships starting at £35 for the year. Email subscribers booking opens on Tuesday 25 March, with general booking opening the following day on Wednesday 26 March. Tickets for the season start at £15 and can be booked online at watermill.org.uk or by calling the box office on 01635 46044.
