The Watermill Theatre will stage a new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel in summer 2027, marking a key part of its 60th anniversary season. This reinvention will feature actor-musicians and a site-specific staging across the theatre and its grounds.

The Watermill Theatre in Newbury has announced a revival of Carousel, directed by its artistic director Paul Hart, for summer 2027. The production will offer a fresh take by staging the musical both inside the 200-seat venue and outdoors on its grounds.

The production will include a new orchestral adaptation by Stuart Morley designed for actor-musicians, alongside choreography by Anjali Mehra. This approach aims to blend live music and performance more closely.

In partnership with domestic abuse charity Project Salama, the Watermill will explore the portrayal of the story’s central characters, Billy and Julie, engaging more deeply with the themes of the musical.

Carousel is a highlight in the theatre’s extensive 60th anniversary programme, which also features revivals such as The Wipers Times and Jerusalem, an outdoor staging of Alan Ayckbourn’s Way Upstream, a world premiere adaptation of Robert Harris’ Enigma, and a new version of Michael Morpurgo’s Beauty and the Beast.

The Watermill Theatre was founded by David Gollins in 1965 and staged its first professional production in 1967. Its 60th anniversary celebrations in 2027 will include a mixture of productions, community projects, and special events.

Carousel’s new production is sponsored by Newbury-based Horsey Lightly Solicitors. Information on casting, additional creative team members, and exact dates will be announced in due course.