The delightful Watermill Theatre in Newbury has an exciting new programme for the new season including three new adaptions.
Anthony Shaffer’s Sleuth runs from the 14th of February until the 23rd of March. Deception is at the heart of this brilliant play which many regard as the greatest of stage thrillers.
Andrew Wykes, a highly successful mystery writer with an obsession for game playing, lures his wife’s lover to their country home. Wykes sets about playing mind games with Milo Tindle, eventually persuading him to steal his wife’s jewellery. However, all is not what it seems.
The play, adapted for the screen twice, first starring Lawrence Olivier and later starring Michael Caine and Jude Law, is directed by Watermill newcomer Jessica Swale.
From the 11th of April to the 18th May, Martin Sherman’s effervescent new adaption of Moliere’s The Miser is directed by Nancy Meckler in her second collaboration with the Watermill.
Wealthy miser Harpoon wants his daughter to marry a rich old man, whilst she wants to marry the penniless young Valere. Harpagon wishes to marry the impoverished young Mariane, the woman loved by his son. Harpagon soon discovers that not everyone is driven by the love of money.
The acclaimed young all-male company Rhum and Clay brings its highly physical performance and comic sense of the absurd to The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde from the 21st May to the 1st of June and then makes a rural tour. Directed by Beth Flintoff the company will bring to life a host of dark characters inhabiting the inhospitable bleak alleys of Victorian London.
Tom McGrath's poignant play Laurel and Hardy features the Hollywood Golden Age double-act revisiting their lives, loves and careers in vaudeville, silent movies and the talkies.
The show features flashbacks to their world famous comedy sketches, slapstick, music and dance routines, as well as touching glimpses behind the scenes. The charm and wit of Laurel and Hardy are reborn in this affectionate homage to the men who were one of the most enduring comedy duos of Hollywood.
Directed by Paul Foster it runs from the 13th of June until the 20th of July.