Watermill stages Thoroughly Modern Millie as part of new season

The Tony Award-winning musical, based on the popular 1967 film starring Julie Andrews, is set in 1920’s New York when the music was jazz, women were discovering independence and society was changing forever. Enter Millie Dillmont from Kansas looking for a job and love and getting more action on both fronts than she imagined.

Thoroughly Modern Millie features a book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan with new music by Jeanine Tesori and new lyrics by Dick Scanlan.

It’s followed at the Watermill, from 1 October to 3 November (previews from 27 September), by Paul Hart’s new production of The Tempest, featuring original music by Olly Fox. Hart’s recent credits include Great Expectations at the Watermill and Huis Clos at Trafalgar Studios.

From 5 to 10 November, the Watermill will host the Shake-Up Shakespeare Festival, which aims to “challenge preconceptions, provide fun and laughter and music, creating a myriad of opportunities”.

It includes a new three-hander adaptation of Othello by Beth Flintoff, centring on the love triangle of Desdemona her husband Othello and his lieutenant Iago.

The Christmas show is Arabian Nights, directed by Robin Belfield from a new version by Toby Hulse. Running from 22 November to 6 January, it’s billed as an “atmospheric show, seasoned with laughter, topped up with music and song to create a fabulous backdrop for this collection of classic tales”.

And finally, rounding off the season from 30 January to 9 February 2013 is Spring Seasonal Sauce. Devised, compiled and directed by ‘Queen of Music Hall and Variety’ Miss Helen Watson, it promised a colourful cabaret celebration of the last century, including a Top Hat & Tiara Gala on 1 February.