About Us

The Watermill Theatre is small but mighty. We bring together talented makers and artists in our unique, inspiring spaces and facilities and support them to find creative innovation and push the boundaries of their theatre-making. Nestled in the tranquil surroundings of the river Lambourn, our symbiotic relationship with our environs underpins a commitment to being sustainable and environmentally conscious in everything that we do.

Ours is a place of play and adventure, where everyone is welcome. We invite audiences in to experience bold and ambitious productions, exceptional new writing and fresh adaptations of the classics, which we present on our intimate stage and share with rural communities, schools and theatres across the UK. Musicality and the power of an ensemble approach are at the heart of our storytelling. Our work captures the imagination and is rooted in the stories and experiences of our times, as we surface new narratives and perspectives, spark dialogue and share the unique power of live performance.

The Watermill’s belief that theatre belongs to everyone, and an ensemble approach fuels our programmes of work with young people, lifelong learners, adults with mental health challenges and our local deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. With a deeply held commitment to using theatre to support people to thrive, we work with partners to understand and respond to the challenges our local young families, school-leavers and isolated adults are facing, and reach out to bring communities together to explore their own creative potential.

The commitment and investment we make in developing and showcasing the skills of our community participants is equal to that of our mainstage artistic programme, which draws talented and established artists from across the UK and beyond. From our unique Grade II listed watermill building to our welcoming artist accommodation and beautiful grounds, The Watermill is a place where artists and the creatively curious can be nurtured, developed and celebrated, side by side.

Our mission is to make theatre that is surprising, inventive and exciting, and to make it for everyone. We nurture and celebrate talent and creativity in our company, community and in the sector, and we hold wellbeing, equity and sustainability at the heart of our culture.

Our vision is that by 2027 The Watermill is nationally and internationally recognised as the foremost producer of actor musician-led work in the UK; its talent development initiatives have provided the platform for new artists to establish a successful career in the sector; inclusivity underpins every aspect of the organisation; and the work reflects and celebrates a diversity of lived perspectives.

“What a location! Forget the glitz of the West End: try walking up a country lane, past waddling ducks, to this lovely little theatre in a converted mill.” The Mail on Sunday