Watermill Theatre News

Director Luke Sheppard helms Harvey Fierstein's CASA VALENTINA, with previews from tonight 10 September, an opening slated for 16 September and a run through 10 October 2015 at Southwark Playhouse.

Commissioned by the Finborough Theatre, Horniman's Choice brings together four plays by the leading figures of the 'Manchester School' of playwrights - Harold Brighouse, Stanley Houghton and Allan Monkhouse, all originally championed by Annie Horniman, owner of Gaiety Theatre, Manchester, the first regional repertory theatre in Britain. Horniman's Choice runs at the Finborough Theatre, playing Sunday and Monday evenings and Tuesday matinees from Sunday, 27 September 2015 (Press Night: Monday, 28 September 2015 at 7.30pm).

This September, Arion Productions presents the world premiere of new British musical THE WHITE FEATHER at the Union Theatre, 16th September - 17th October 2015 (opening night 18th September). It tells the story of Georgina Briggs whose brother was one of over 300 allied soldiers executed for cowardice during the First World War. She won't accept the shame and she won't let it lie. But as she fights for justice a shocking discovery awaits her. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal!

This September, Arion Productions presents the world premiere of new British musical The White Feather at the Union Theatre. It tells the story of Georgina Briggs whose brother was one of over 300 allied soldiers executed for cowardice during the First World War. She won't accept the shame and she won't let it lie. But as she fights for justice a shocking discovery awaits her.

Kirsty Besterman, David Cardy, Amanda Hadingue, Adelle Leonce and Andy Rush will join the previously announced Sally Messham and Laura Rogers in Laura Wade's new adaptation of Sarah Waters' bestselling novel, Tipping the Velvet, directed by Lyndsey Turner. They will be supported by a young ensemble. Tipping the Velvet will open at the Lyric Hammersmith on 28 September 2015, with previews from 18 September.

Director Luke Sheppard today announces the full company for Harvey Fierstein's Casa Valentina. Sheppard directs Tamsin Carroll (Rita), Ben Deery (Miranda), Charlie Hayes (Eleanor), Bruce Montague (Terry), Robert Morgan (Amy), Matt Rixon (Bessie), Ashley Robinson (Gloria), Gareth Snook (Charlotte) and Edward Wolstenholme (Valentina). The production opens on 16 September, with previews from 10 September, and runs until 10 October.

Jamie Wilson has announced a national tour of an all new production of the hit musical comedy SISTER ACT, directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood with musical supervision and arrangements by Tony award-winning Sarah Travis. SISTER ACT UK tour opens at Curve, Leicester on Saturday 30 July 2016, coming to the King's Theatre Glasgow from Tuesday 4 until Saturday 8 October 2016. Tour schedule attached with further dates and casting to be announced soon.

Jamie Wilson has announced a national tour of an all new production of the hit musical comedy SISTER ACT, directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood with musical supervision and arrangements by Tony award-winning Sarah Travis. SISTER ACT will open at Curve, Leicester on Saturday 30 July 2016. Tickets go on sale Monday 10 August 2015. Tour schedule attached with further dates and casting to be announced soon.

Jamie Wilson is delighted to announce a national tour of an all new production of the hit musical comedySISTER ACT, directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood with musical supervision and arrangements by Tony award-winning Sarah Travis. SISTER ACT will open at Curve, Leicester on Saturday 30 July 2016. Tickets go on sale Monday 10 August 2015. Tour schedule attached with further dates and casting to be announced soon.

New Diorama Theatre will celebrate its fifth birthday with a season of powerful, innovative, theatrically and thematically diverse productions by a range of exceptional emerging theatre companies from across the UK. 

From 8 October to 14 November, Transport, the critically acclaimed Folkstone-based theatre company behind Invisible, 1001 Nights and Elegy will present a brand new devised production, The Edge, with original music composed by award-winning Raymond Yiu. Inspired by real life narratives taken from the south coast of England and the Sundabans in India and developed in collaboration with leading lecturer in coastal oceanography Dr Ivan Haigh, The Edge is an extensive exploration of climate change and migration. Based on an encounter between two people from different cultures that encompasses myths from the sea, the history of human migration, the formation of rivers and seas, the piece will be devised and directed by Douglas Rintoul and the creative team behind Elegy.

From 8 October to 14 November, Transport, the critically acclaimed Folkstone-based theatre company behind Invisible, 1001 Nights and Elegy will present a brand new devised production, The Edge, with original music composed by award-winning Raymond Yiu. Inspired by real life narratives taken from the south coast of England and the Sundabans in India and developed in collaboration with leading lecturer in coastal oceanography Dr Ivan Haigh, The Edge is an extensive exploration of climate change and migration. Based on an encounter between two people from different cultures that encompasses myths from the sea, the history of human migration, the formation of rivers and seas, the piece will be devised and directed by Douglas Rintoul and the creative team behind Elegy.

Green Day's explosive award-winning Broadway musical American Idiot blasts into the UK, opening tonight 22 July at The Arts Theatre, Leicester Square.

Tony Award-winning Broadway musical In The Heights will return to London this year following a critically acclaimed sell-out UK premiere at Southwark Playhouse in 2014. The production will transfer to King's Cross Theatre on 3rd October 2015 and is booking for a strictly limited four week period until 1st November 2015. Tickets go on sale at 10.00am on Friday 10th July 2015.

This Summer sees a brand new production of the much-loved classic musical Oliver! at West Berkshire's beautiful Watermill Theatre, directed by Luke Sheppard. Musical theatre star Alice Fearn has a decade of performing professionally under her belt, having featured in shows including Les Miserables, Into The Woods, Shrek and most recently Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. This time around, Alice takes on the iconic role of Nancy and talks to BWW having recently started rehearsals for the show...

Full casting is announced for Green Day's explosive award-winning Broadway musical American Idiot as it blasts into the UK from 17 July, at The Arts Theatre, Leicester Square. The full cast are Luke Baker (Theo), Natasha Barnes (Heather), Alexis Gerred (Tunny), Llandyll Gove (Gerard), Raquel Jones (Extraordinary girl), Natasha Karp (Alysha) Robyn Mellor (Libby), Lucas Rush (St. Jimmy), Steve Rushton (Will), Aaron Sidwell (Johnny) and Ross William Wild (Joshua). They join the previously announced X Factor star, Amelia Lily who is playing Whatshername.

Pixie Lott will star as Holly Golightly in a limited 12-week season of Breakfast at Tiffany's at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London's West End in 2016.  This will follow the first UK and Ireland tour of Truman Capote's classic tale brought to life so memorably by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 film.  It will be presented in a co-production with the Curve Theatre, Leicester.  The novella has been adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize-winning Finalist and Tony and Olivier Award-winning playwright Richard Greenberg (Take Me Out, Three Days of Rain), and contains memorable songs from the era as well as original music by Grant Odling (One Man, Two Guvnors). 

Jamie Wilson has announced a national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black's classic musical TELL ME ON A SUNDAY starring Jodie Prenger, opening on Wednesday 2 March 2016, following a season at the Watermill Theatre from Thursday 28 January to Saturday 20 February 2016.  Full tour schedule attached with further dates to be announced. www.tellmeontour.co.uk 

Jamie Wilson, Paul Elliott and Duncan C Weldon present the Watermill theatre production of "CALAMITY JANE" and have announced that SOPHIA RAGAVELAS will join the cast as 'Katie Brown from Tuesday 26 May.

Jennifer Coolidge (American Pie, Legally Blonde, 2 Broke Girls), Alexander Hanson (Stephen Ward the Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Little Night Music) and Stefanie Powers (Hart to Hart, The Girl From U.N.C.L.E) with Alistair Brammer (Miss Saigon, War Horse, LES MISERABLES) and Laura Pitt-Pulford (The Sound Of Music, Marry Me A Little, The Light Princess) join Christine Baranski (Into The Woods, The Good Wife, Mamma Mia), Anita Dobson (EastEnders, Chicago) Anita Harris (Carry On Doctor & Follow That Camel, Cats), Ruthie Henshall (original Roxy in Chicago, Les Misérables), Roy Hudd (Fagan in Oliver!, Coronation Street, Good Old Days) and Russell Watson (the UK's best selling classical artist ever; winner of four Classical BRIT awards), in Follies in Concert, with The City of London Philharmonic Orchestra, at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall.