Actor-musician Carousel revival set for next summer

The Watermill Theatre will stage a new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel in summer 2027 as part of its 60th anniversary season.

Directed by artistic director Paul Hart, the production will reimagine the musical with the staging taking place across the theatre and its grounds. Stuart Morley will create a new orchestral adaptation for actor-musicians, with choreography by Anjali Mehra.

The Watermill is also collaborating with domestic abuse charity Project Salama to explore how the story of Billy and Julie is presented in the production.

The musical forms part of the theatre’s anniversary programme, which also includes the return of The Wipers Times and Jerusalem, an outdoor staging of Alan Ayckbourn’s Way Upstream, the world premiere of a new stage adaptation of Robert Harris’ Enigma and a new adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s Beauty and the Beast. We’ve covered all of this in more detail here.

The Watermill Theatre was conceived by David Gollins in 1965, with its first professional production following in 1967. The 200-seat venue in Newbury will mark its 60th anniversary throughout 2027 with a programme of productions, community projects and special events.

Carousel is sponsored by Newbury-based Horsey Lightly Solicitors. Dates, further casting and creative team details will be announced separately.