The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, 21st May to 1st June as part of a Watermill Theatre Rural Tour
3rd June 19:30 Basildon Village Hall. Box Office: 0118 984 3441
5th June 19:30 ACE Space, Newbury. Box Office: 07905 590214
6th June 19:30 Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot. Box Office: 01235 515144
10th June 19:30 Padworth Village Hall. Box Office: 0118 970 1027
15th June 19:30 Spencers Wood Village Hall. Box Office: 0118 988 3483
17th June 19:30 Hampstead Norreys Village Hall. Box Office: 01635 201470
18th June 19:30 William Penney Theatre, Aldermaston Recreational Society. Box Office: 0118 982 7614
By Robert Louis Stevenson. The acclaimed young all-male company Rhum and Clay, bring its highly physical performance and comic sense of the absurd to The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Together with The Watermill Outreach Director, Beth Flintoff, the company will bring to life a host of dark characters inhabiting the inhospitable bleak alleys of Victorian London.

Rubies and Rock Pools, 5th to 8th June, 19:30 but 18:30 on Saturday
The West Berkshire Federation of Village Schools collaborates with The Watermill again in this remarkable project. Featuring over a hundred children from six village primary schools, this is the performance of a new play, specially written for the children. In times of austerity everyone tries to count the pennies, especially the government. This year, in a bid to escape recession, the Prime Minister launches a bold new initiative, Camp Revamp. The giant recycling centre is designed to house the nation’s children; teaching them to be eco friendly, conscientious members of society. Or so it seems! Camp Revamp is really a consumer training school that teaches the children to buy, buy, buy! Run by The Regenerators, a group of leading businessmen and women, the children are barraged with adverts - moulding them into eager, frivolous spenders. However, some rebels in the group quickly realise The Regenerators ulterior motives and, led by twins, Ftse and 100, the children begin a quest to re-discover what makes life fun. Surely there's more to life than spending money?

Laurel and Hardy, 13th June to 20th July
Tom McGrath’s poignant play Laurel and Hardy features the Hollywood Golden Age double-act revisiting their lives, loves and careers in Vaudeville, Silent Movies, and the Talkies. The show features flashbacks to their world-famous comedy sketches, slapstick, music and dance routines, as well as touching glimpses behind the scenes. The charm and wit of Laurel and Hardy are reborn in this affectionate homage to the men who are one of the most enduring comedy duos of Hollywood.

The Witches of Eastwick, 25th July to 14th September
It’s a dark and stormy night in small-town America. Three divorcees, frustrated by the constant scrutiny and disapproval of their buttoned-up neighbours, fantasise about their ideal man. Coincidentally, or maybe not, the brash, vulgar and, on the face of it, distinctly unappealing Darryl Van Horne arrives in the neighbourhood. It doesn’t take long before he uses his charms to release their creative energy along with their inhibitions! But hell hath no fury like three women scorned and pretty soon Alex, Sukie and Jane use their newly discovered powers to teach their depraved seducer a lesson.

Adventures in Wonderland, 12th to 18th August, Daytimes
A sensory spectacle which will be performed in the gardens and around The Watermill. Sing with the Mock Turtle, take tea with the Mad Hatter, and play croquet with the Queen of Hearts - but be sure to come last or you could lose your head! Follow the strange characters and backwards riddles to discover scenes, installations and games relating to Alice’s adventure. This theatrical experience puts you in the midst of the action, enabling you to hear, see, smell and experience the lives of the characters as a story unfolds around you. A family show for those with active imaginations and a sense of adventure!Suitable for age 6 upwards.

Romeo + Juliet, 17th to 21st September
By William Shakespeare. As adulthood looms and the pressures of academia mount, two students find themselves entangled in an emotionally charged and inevitably tragic relationship. Designed to tour to schools, a cast of two actors, in a contemporary setting, cut to the very core of the play: the relationship between Romeo and Juliet and the world around them. Romeo + Juliet is touring to schools within one hour of The Watermill.

Sherlock's Last Case, 26th September to 2nd November
A death threat delivered to 221B Baker Street scarcely ruffles the feathers of the legendary Sherlock Holmes - the bearer of the message is the daughter of his arch enemy, the late Professor Moriarty. A second threat, and the discovery of his faithful side-kick, Dr Watson, tied up in a closet, does little to shake the great detective’s nonchalance in the face of impending death. However, now, he’s intrigued. Employing his powers of deduction and the assurance that he’s always right, Holmes and Watson embark on a bizarre and fascinating case that eventually brings Holmes face-toface with his avenger. Is this the end of the most famous detective in the world? The answer, my dear Watson,is elementary. True to the spirit of Conan-Doyle’s original Sherlock novels, this black comedy has all the suspense and intrigue of a great detective story whilst poking gentle fun at the super sleuth’s eccentric personality.

The Six Wives of Henry VIII, 5th to 7th November
A death threat delivered to 221B Baker Street scarcely ruffles the feathers of the legendary Sherlock Holmes - the bearer of the message is the daughter of his arch enemy, the late Professor Moriarty. A second threat, and the discovery of his faithful side-kick, Dr Howard Coggins looks like Henry VIII. Stu McLoughlin doesn’t really look like any of the wives, but he’s going to give it a go. After their previous self-funded two-man historical drama is savaged in the press, Howard and Stu are at their wits’ end. Then they hit upon an idea for a show that could change everything... But can two of the South West’s favourite theatrical sons put aside their differences and make it through to the end? The Six Wives of Henry VIII was an undisputed hit at the Bristol Old Vic, and with live original music this promises to be an ill-researched lesson in cross-dressing Tudor history that you’ll never forget.

Turn Back the Clock, 8th to 9th November, 19:30
Originally in honour of Joyce Grenfell’s centenary year, Turn Back the Clock has been playing to sell-out houses for the last 18 months. Hidden in this comedy revue can be found some of her more delicate and poignant pieces. This gem of nostalgia from the golden age of revue is suitable for all. Delight in the truthful, funny and moving characters. Revel in the evocation of one of the greatest female entertainers of the twentieth century.

Reviews of The Miser

11th April to 18th May 2013