Watermill Theatre unveils spring 2026 season

The Watermill Theatre has announced its spring 2026 season.

It opens with Two Halves of Guinness, which runs from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 January. Written by Mark Burgess and directed by Selina Cadell, the one-man show stars Classic FM and BBC Radio 4 presenter Zeb Soanes as Alec Guinness. Produced by Julian Bird for Greenroom Ents, the play explores Guinness’ life beyond his iconic film roles, revisiting his most memorable characters and examining the path that led him to international fame. The show will also run in London next year.

From Friday 6 February to Saturday 14 March, the Watermill hosts Lark Rise to Candleford, a co-production with Theatre by the Lake in association with Hammerpuzzle Theatre Company. The new adaptation, written and composed by Tamsin Kennard and directed by Bryn Holding, is based on the novel by Flora Thompson. The production follows the young Laura as she experiences the rhythms of life in the rural hamlet of Lark Rise and ventures to Candleford, discovering a wider world beyond her home. An ensemble cast performs original music woven through the story, and a national press performance is scheduled for Tuesday 10 February.

The Watermill Theatre Youth Ensemble will present a new adaptation of Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons from Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 March. Written by Coco Cottam and directed by Heidi Bird, with set and costume design by Emily King, the production features young people aged 11 to 25 in both on- and off-stage roles. Participants from the theatre’s Young Creatives programme will collaborate on the design, while the production incorporates integrated BSL interpretation, captioning, and audio description. The production will be preceded by a Family Fun Day on Wednesday 18 February, including craft activities, youth theatre tasters, and storytelling sessions.

Joint CEO and artistic director Paul Hart said: “We are delighted to be working with Theatre by the Lake on this most glorious of rural titles. Bringing Bryn Holding and Tamsin Kennard’s adaptation of Lark Rise to Candleford to life has already been a great pleasure, and I’m excited to see how it develops in these two unique theatres.”

Executive Director Claire Murray added: “Collaboration and our commitment to nurturing and investing in talent are at the heart of this season. We’re thrilled to welcome Zeb Soanes for Two Halves of Guinness, to partner with Theatre by the Lake on Lark Rise to Candleford, and to see our Youth Ensemble bring Swallows and Amazons to life. Elemental 2026 will provide invaluable experience to emerging artists, helping them to develop their craft in a professional setting.”