Theatre News

Classics in new guises at the Watermill during 2013

There
are three new adaptations in the programme January to July 2013 just
announced for Berkshire’s Watermill theatre. All are of classic
texts, two of them novels and the third a version of Molière‘s
L’avare (The Miser) by Martin
Sherman
. This will be directed by Nancy Meckler and runs from 11
April until 18 May.

Beth
Flintoff
directs the Watermill’s senior youth theatre group in her
own adaptation of that most autobiographical of all Dickens‘ novels
David Copperfield – between 27 and 30 March.
Flintoff in conjunction with the all-male Rhum and Clay company has
created a version of Stevenson‘s The Strange Case of Dr
Jekyll and Mr Hyde
which is staged in the home theatrefrom 21 May to 1 June as
part of an extended rural tour.

The
other productions include a new staging of Anthony Shaffer‘s
Sleuth by Jessica Swale – you may have seen
one of the screen versions or even the original long-running West End
hit. This is Swale’s first production for the Watermill; it plays
from 14 February until 23 March. That classic Hollywood comic
double-act of Laurel and Hardy comes back to life in Tom
McGrath
‘s affectionate homage between 13 June and 20 July, directed by Paul
Foster
.

As
well as what will be the final helping of Seasonal Sauce
from Helen Watson (30 January to 9 February) there are shows by and
for children as well as Book Club talks by Prue Leith and Tracey
Chevalier
and half-term and other holiday courses. The Watermill
believes in variety of productions and the involvement its local
community. It sound like a recipe for success.