A summer revival of Jesus Christ Superstar will be one of a trio of productions to feature in the 2025 season at Newbury’s Watermill Theatre.
Directed by the award-winning venue’s artistic director and joint CEO Paul Hart, the new production will make use of the distinctive venue’s stunning outdoor space as it takes Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock version of the Easter story from the stage and into the gardens.
Running from 24 June until 21 September, the production which will feature a cast of actor-musicians will have a set and costume design by David Woodhead, choreography by Anjali Mehra and musical supervision and orchestration by Stuart Morley.
The season will also include the premiere of a new adaptation of Brandon Thomas’ Charley’s Aunt 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), will play the Watermill from 3 October until 15 November.
Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid will provide the inspiration for the venue’s Christmas production. Written by Lara Barbier with songs by True Foxes’ Amie Parsons, the production which will be directed by Elgiva Field will run from 26 November 2025 until 4 January 2026.
Announcing the three productions, 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.”
The Watermill’s executive director and joint CEO 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 has been part of bringing these shows to life.”
Angela Thomas
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.