Annual Review 2016/17

Celebrating Great TheatreIn the last 50 years The Watermill has become one of the country’s leading theatrical powerhouses.

This has been possible due to the incredible commitment of both the people who have worked here and the audiences who have loyally stood by us in everything we’ve done.

We believe passionately that everyone should have a chance to experience live theatre and we strive to be a leading force in developing theatre-makers of tomorrow, both in the wider profession and in our local community.

I’m pleased to report that 2016/17 has been full of many successes. We are busier than ever, creating bigger shows for all to enjoy while expanding our Outreach and Education programme for the local community. This year saw three of our main house productions transfer to London, box office targets smashed and over 18,000 people taking part in our participatory programme.

We staged 375 performances across 15 productions in our intimate 220 seat venue. Over 65,200 people visited The Watermill to see a show or attend a one-off event during the year and attendance averaged 82%.

As we step into our 50th anniversary year, we are enormously proud of our past achievements and incredibly excited by our future. We remain committed to our community and promise to produce work that’s inspiring, stimulating and accessible.

My thanks go to my dedicated and loyal team, including those who volunteer for us so generously.

Paul Hart, Artistic and Executive Director

Our main house shows included:

• One Million Tiny Plays About Britain• Untold Stories• Watership Down• Crazy For You• The Wipers Times• Frankenstein• Sleeping Beauty• Murder For Two• Faust x 2

Main House Productions

One Million Tiny Plays About Britain By Craig TaylorDirected by Laura Keefe

“Entertaining collection of micro-plays providing a fascinating snapshot of modern British life.” THE STAGE ★★★★

“Brief exchanges contrast with scenes earning several minutes, expertly varying the pace. It all makes for a life-affirming delight.” WHATSONSTAGE ★★★★

“Each scene is touching, hilarious, upsetting, thought-provoking – pithy. Brilliant on the page, it sort of shouldn’t work as a performance, but work it does. ” THE OBSERVER

“What a funny play – very observant!” AUDIENCE MEMBER

Untold Stories: Hymn and Cocktail Sticks By Alan Bennett Music by George FentonDirected by Tom Attenborough

“The evening casts a spell, its subject, wryly and tenderly treated.” THE TELEGRAPH

“A fascinating, gripping trawl through Bennett’s home life with an outstanding performance from Roger Ringrose.” NEWBURY THEATRE

“Director Tom Attenborough’s superb cast make this rather different sort of evening one which is particularly enjoyable.” NEWBURY WEEKLY NEWS

“Wonderfully perceptive of the human condition.” AUDIENCE MEMBER

Watership Down Based on the book by Richard AdamsAdapted by Rona MunroDirected by Adam Penford

“A funny, moving, thoughtful and creative adaptation, well worth seeing.” GET READING ★★★★★

“The cast of nine swap in and out of many characters and there are some really strong ensemble performances.” WHATSONSTAGE

“An immensely physical staging, full of playfulness and energy. It is tremendous fun and compelling to watch.” BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE

“One of the best pieces of theatre I’ve ever seen. Thank you!” AUDIENCE MEMBER

Crazy For YouMusic and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira GershwinBook by Ken LudwigDirected by Paul HartMusical supervisor and musical arrangements by Catherine JayesPresented by The Watermill Theatre in association with Jamie Wilson

“Irrepressibly inventive production with a talented versatile cast, making for an inimitable treat.” THE STAGE★★★★★

“Caroline Sheen lands the night’s loveliest vocal - a blissfully simple, honest and softly yearning rendition of Someone to Watch Over Me.” THE TIMES ★★★★

“I have never seen such enthusiastic and talented people! I am only 12 but I would see that show again and again. AMAZING!” AUDIENCE MEMBER

The Wipers TimesBy Ian Hislop and Nick NewmanBased on a true storyA Trademark Touring and Watermill Theatre Production Directed by Caroline Leslie

“Caroline Leslie’s production entertainingly enacts some of the paper’s spoof adverts, comic songs and poems, and music hall sketches, which contrast starkly with scenes of trench warfare.” THE STAGE

“After a genuinely gripping evocation of the hours leading up to the Armistice, the comedy climax is a demob happy song that, like The Wipers Times – and Private Eye – leaves you thinking as you laugh.” WHATSONSTAGE ★★★★★

“You leave with renewed admiration.” THE TELEGRAPH ★★★★

“Brilliant. Amusing yet poignant, sad and reflective.” AUDIENCE MEMBER

FrankensteinBy Mary ShelleyAdapted by Tristan BernaysDirected by Eleanor Rhode

“A stunning performance, both sensitive and powerful, in what is a true masterclass in acting… A production that should not be missed.” NEWBURY WEEKY NEWS

“Incredible – direction, design, stellar performances. Brought the script to life!” AUDIENCE MEMBER

“Beautifully told, simple but effective. Central performances – stunning! Incredible acting.” AUDIENCE MEMBER

“Amazing physical performance, chilling and gripping.” AUDIENCE MEMBER

Sleeping Beauty By Rufus Norris Directed by Bill Buckhurst

“Scripted by Rufus Norris, this is definitely not a sugary, sparkly version of the classic tale. It’s firmly set in down-to-earth, medieval times, and you can never be sure what peril might lurk round the next corner.” THE OXFORD TIMES

“Just caught a (wonderfully) signed performance of #SleepingBeauty @WatermillTh -beautiful, funny, entertaining show. Congrats all!” AUDIENCE MEMBER

“We had an absolutely fantastic time at Sleeping Beauty today. An amazing production; incredible calibre of actors, script, set and production but most of all our kids had a ball and we all laughed so much.” TEACHER, FROM A LOCAL SCHOOL

“A brilliantly multi-talented cast of actors/musicians made us laugh until our ribs ached in this cleverly staged, thought provoking production. Superb.” AUDIENCE MEMBER

Murder For Two A Watermill Theatre production in association with Paul Taylor-MillsBook and music by Joe KinosianBook and lyrics by Kellen BlairDirected by Luke Sheppard

“Impossible to resist.” WHATSONSTAGE ★★★★

“The welcoming sanctuary space of the Watermill Theatre, beginning its 50th anniversary year in high style.” THE TELEGRAPH ★★★★

“Two actors play all 14 characters – and the piano – in a smart, jaunty show that transposes the English country-house mystery to small-town America.” THE GUARDIAN

“We laughed out loud all the way through. Amazing energy and performances.” AUDIENCE MEMBER

Faust X 2A version with music of Goethe’s dramatic poemAdapted by Ian McDiarmidTranslation by Philip WayneDirected by Lisa Blair

“Daring and provocative, bracingly challenging” WHATSONSTAGE ★★★★

“This modern Faust is devilishly good” THE OXFORD TIMES ★★★★

“Absolutely extraordinary and outstanding performance. So moving. One of the best things I’ve seen in ages.” AUDIENCE MEMBER

The following productions played at the theatre for a week before touring locally reaching a further 3,901 people:

• One Million Tiny Plays About Britain (Rural Tour)

• Frankenstein (Schools Tour)

The productions which transferred to London reached 13,854 people included:

• Frankenstein - Wilton’s Music Hall

• The Wipers Times - Arts Theatre

• Murder For Two - The Other Palace

Watermill ElsewhereFRANKENSTEIN

OneMilliOnTinyPlaysabOuTbriTain

Outreach and EducationOur young people and those in our community continue to inspire us and we are constantly looking at ways to involve people in all aspects of our work. Over the last 3 years we’ve increased our regular Youth Theatre sessions and we now engage with over 250 young people aged from 20 months to 25 years old on a weekly basis.

Last year, which was a particularly strong year, our outreach programme ran 2037 workshops and engaged with over 18,000 individuals. Those activities on offer included:

• Waterminis (for the under 5s)

• Junior Youth Theatre (ages 5 - 11 years)

• Senior Youth Theatre (ages 12 - 16 years)

• Young Company (ages 17 - 25 years)

• Associate Youth Theatre (ages 4 - 16 years)

• Prologue (theatre taster term for 8 - 16 year olds)

• Workshops for children that are currently Home Educated

• Encore (regular drama workshops for adults no longer in full-time work)

• Upstage (weekly drama group for adults)

• Raising Voices (script reading service)

• Actors’ Forum (support network for local professional actors)

• Holiday Courses for children of all ages

• Family Fun Days

• Scratch Choirs

• Schools workshops and bespoke teacher training

• Student work placements

• Young Carers Project

We also created a performance piece entitled The Incredible Inspection of Inspector Spector, written by 6 secondary school students for 120 primary school children in Newbury, under the professional leadership of Watermill staff.

Our Young Company also performed Ubu Roi and the Senior Youth Theatre performed Ann Veronica.

Our core Education and Outreach Programme is generously supported by The Dr. Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation.

Ann Veronica

Reaching OutThis year saw the expansion and further engagement with ‘at risk’ groups or those hard to reach in our local area of which we engaged with over 2,000 people. With specific support from Greenham Trust, regular groups have been established which include:

• Fourth Wall - a drama course supporting adults with learning disabilities focused on character development, the text and performance aspects of our productions

• Scene Change – a new group established to give adults with mental health and wellbeing needs the opportunity to come along for a ‘change of scene’ whatever the reason

• Interval and Interlude - weekly groups for young people with added complications in their life

• Workshops for children who are currently Home Educated

• Ad Lib – a new weekly drama group for young people aged 9-16 with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

• Duologue – a weekly drama group integrating hearing and deaf adults and young people, grown from a working partnership with Mary Hare School

From these groups participants were invited to take part in our Gothic Unleashed community project where over 120 people of all ages performed on the Watermill stage.

Fourth Wall

Sing and Sign Family Fun Day

HighlightsNurture• In 2016/17 we welcomed our second Trainee Stage Management/ Production Assistant courtesy of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation. This position provides practical experience for a young person whose ambition is to work in the arts

• We created 9 Assistant Director positions throughout the year for young emerging directors

• We have delivered Bronze and Silver Arts Award for West Berkshire Young Carers, informally supporting 6 young people and are developing a programme for the Home Education service

• The Watermill continues to receive funding from the Arts Council, England as a National Portfolio Organisation

• Our Name A Seat campaign was launched in advance of our 50th Anniversary year

• We currently welcome 1,200 people as Friends of The Watermill and our dedicated Friends Committee raised an impressive £94,000 for the theatre through membership and special events

• 2,368 shirts were washed, dried and ironed during the run of Crazy For You!

• Our first BSL integrated signed performance was delivered during the run of Sleeping Beauty - a signer is part of the action, rather than standing to one side in a static position

• More than 4,000 people came to see a show for the first time at the theatre including 2,246 tickets for children and young people

• Over 40% of our audience enjoyed a meal in the restaurant before or after seeing a show

• Our digital content - including trailers, interviews and rehearsal footage - received nearly 55,000 views on YouTube and Facebook

Ubu Roi

Building UpdatesWe are committed to making the theatre more accessible and have made many improvements to the site over the last year including: the creation of three additional disabled parking spaces; installation of a brick ramp to offer wheelchair access from the bar terrace to the lawns; paved a new pathway for the emergency exit route from the rear of the theatre; replaced steps up to the foyer and installed new oak hand rails to all access ramps and steps.

At any one time we can now accommodate up to twenty actors/creatives on site. In this period we updated the actors’ accommodation with new carpets and have installed new kitchens and bathrooms and upgraded the hot water systems.

Our bar has also undergone a makeover with a new bar counter and dresser and a newly refurbished door into the restaurant. We’ve installed new touch screen cash tills to make it easier to place orders, process payments and serve our customers quicker and more efficiently.

We aim to be energy efficient to save the environment as well as keep costs low. Consequently we have extended the use of more energy efficient LPG (we have no mains gas), further cut back on electricity use, and have installed new solar panels on the office block roof.

This year we also updated equipment including projectors, software licence update and delivered staff training alongside this.

Our Finances (unrestricted income)

Where it comes from and how we spend it

• Last year it cost in the region of £2.7million to run the theatre, produce the shows you see onstage and deliver our participatory programme

• We are able to generate 84% of our own income through direct theatre activities (i.e. ticket sales, restaurant revenue) and fundraising initiatives

• The remaining 16% of income comes mainly from Arts Council England, with some support from West Berkshire Council

• Average capacity for our main house shows reached 82%

• We generated nearly £1.2m from ticket sales

• The average price of a main house theatre ticket was £17.88

• 45% of our tickets are now purchased online

Sources of Income

Box Office & Touring 42%

Restaurant 20%

Fundraising 14%

Youth Theatre& Education 4%

Other 4%Grants 16%

Sources of Expenditure

Show Production 52%

Restaurant 18%

Fundraising 1%

Staff 19%

Organisational 10%

Our Supporters We are grateful to so many people and organisations who support our work without which, we would be unable to deliver such a varied artistic programme and a full participatory programme. We would like to offer our sincere thanks to our supremely loyal audience and many trusts, foundations, companies, Friends of The Watermill and individuals who continue to support us. In particular, thanks are due to:

Watermill Sponsorsdu Pré Horsey Lightly SolicitorsSaica PackSheepdrove Organic Farm & Eco-Conference Centre

Watermill Corporate ClubCheam SchoolCodelocks LtdDickins Hopgood ChidleyDoves FarmGardner Leader Solicitors HandlesbankenMAXX Design LtdNewbury Building SocietyPinewood SchoolRivar LtdRegent LettingsStearn Electric

Trusts and FoundationsAndrew Lloyd Webber FoundationThe Arbib Charitable Trust

The Arts Council, EnglandThe Bernard Sunley Charitable FoundationCardy Beaver FoundationThe D’Oyly Carte Charitable TrustThe Colefax Charitable TrustThe Dr. Mortimer & Theresa Sackler FoundationThe Dyers’ Charitable TrustC E Eliot-Cohen Charitable SettlementThe Englefield Charitable TrustFuller’sThe A W Gale Charitable TrustGamlen Charitable TrustThe Garfield Weston FoundationGreenham TrustThe Headley TrustThe Iliffe Family Charitable TrustMiss W E Lawrence 1973 Charitable SettlementThe Male Family Charitable TrustNewbury Decorative and Fine Art SocietyThe Patricia Routledge Charitable TrustPayne Gallwey Charitable TrustThe Stanley Foundation West Berkshire Council

Platinum BenefactorsSir Trevor Chinn CVO and Lady ChinnSir Christopher and Lady GentMr James ReesThe Hon Christopher and Mrs SharplesMr & Mrs Michael and Harriet McCalmontAnonymous

Gold BenefactorAnthony Harris

Watermill CircleJennifer EdwardsEnid HardyRichard HardyRobert MichaelsonDebby PuxleyAndrew Tuckey

History Defining Our Future

The Watermill celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2017 and we are incredibly proud that this tiny mill is regarded as one of the best producing theatres in the country. We will mark this special occasion by creating a programme of new work, adaptations and premieres as well as embracing our commitment to nurturing new talent.

Over the years, we have been incredibly fortunate to be guided by a Board made up of dedicated professionals who have provided invaluable advice and support throughout. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all Board Members past and present, for their commitment, enthusiasm and counsel.

Present Board Members who make such a difference include: Andrew Tuckey (Chair), Karin Gartzke, Patrick Griffin, Alison Blackmore, Daniel Adams, Carole-Anne Armstrong, Tom Rossiter , David Grindrod, Colin Farrant, Susan Foster, and Maggie Whitlum-Cooper.

The Friends Committee also deserve a special mention and sincere thanks are due to this extraordinary group who give their time and energy to raise funds for the theatre via Friends membership and special events.

The Friends Committee comprise: Gillian, Lady Howard de Walden (President), Carole-Anne Armstrong (Chair), Terri Costain, Sally Fell, Sam Picton, Barry Spiller, Ruth Tibbetts, Nicky Wilkins, Graham Holbrook, Janienne Meadmore, Liz Barnett, and Julie Pearson (Secretary).

Join UsFor more information on how to join our Friends scheme please contact admin@watermill.org.uk or call 01635 45834 or watermill.org.uk

Education & OutreachTo find out more about our participatory programmes please contact outreach@watermill.org.uk or call 01635 570927

Support UsTo become a Benefactor, Sponsor or Corporate Supporter please contact development@watermill.org.uk or call 01635 570928

Follow UsFor the most up to date news and baskstage insights follow us on social media at:

@watermillth thewatermilltheatrethewatermilltheatre

The Watermill Theatre Trust is a registered charity no: 261430 and receives core funding from

BOX OFFICE 01635 46044www.watermill.org.uk

The Watermill Theatre and Restaurant, Bagnor, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 8AE

Photos: © Jim Creighton, Richard Davenport, Scott Rylander and Philip Tull.