The Watermill’s history is part of what makes us unique, and with a mill at Bagnor listed in the Domesday Book (1086), it goes back pretty far!

The current theatre building, originally an 1830s corn mill, is a little more recent, but it’s still taken a long journey of reclamation, restoration and reinvention to transform our theatre from a working mill into the creative powerhouse it is today.

1965: The Watermill opens as an 113-seat amateur theatre, converted from the derelict original 1830s building by David Gollins.

1967: The Watermill has its first in-house professional season.

1976-1978: David Gilmore becomes the first Artistic Director of The Watermill. Productions include Loot (1976) and The Heiress (1977).

Watermill founder David Gollins sits on the bridge of the river in front of the theatre. — David Gollins converted the derelict Watermill in 1965

1981: Jill Fraser purchases the theatre and takes over as Artistic Director. Productions include Snoopy (1983 and 1998), Henry V (1997, with Propeller), Cabaret (1998), Twelfth Night (1999, with Propeller), Carmen (2000), and Sweeney Todd (2004).

1995: Jill Fraser and director Edward Hall’s collaboration on a Watermill production of Othello sparks the creation of Propeller, a theatre company that would go on to become multi-award-winning and tour the world with their innovative approach to Shakespeare.

2005: Jill Fraser seeks to sell the Watermill to ensure its long-term future, and the Save the Watermill appeal is launched, aiming to raise £3 million to cover crucial building works and to enable the theatre’s trustees to buy the building.

Jill Fraser sitting wearing a white cardigan, sitting with her dog Oscar — Jill Fraser was artistic director of the Watermill 1981 - 2006.

2007: Hedda Beeby takes over as Artistic Director. Productions include Honk! (2007), Spend Spend Spend! (2009), Radio Times (2011), Of Mice and Men (2012), Sherlock’s Last Case (2013), Calamity Jane (2014), Oliver! (2015).

2008: The Save the Watermill campaign reaches its target, with the support of over 4,000 individuals, trusts, foundations, and businesses, including David Suchet, Dame Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Timothy West CBE, Prunella Scales, Cleo Laine, John Dankworth and David Soul.

2014: Hedda Beeby wins Theatre Manager of the Year at the UK Theatre Awards.

Hedda Beeby wearing a red dress and holding the award for Theatre Manager of the Year — Hedda Beeby receiving Theatre Manager of the Year at the UK Theatre Awards in 2014

2015: Paul Hart takes over from Hedda Beeby as Artistic Director. Productions include Romeo & Juliet (2015), The Wipers Times (2016), Jerusalem (2018), Amelie (2019), Spike (2022), Whistle Down The Wind (2022), and The Lord of the Rings (2023).

2017: The Watermill Ensemble is established, combining Shakespeare’s texts and live music to create new versions of the plays which toured the UK and form part of the Watermill’s educational programme.

2020: The Hound of the Baskervilles, performed 3 weeks after Covid restrictions were relaxed enough for outdoor productions to take place, making the Watermill the first English theatre to open a new play commissioned and rehearsed since restrictions were relaxed.

2021: Claire Murray appointed as Executive Director.

Saruman commands two Orcs — The Lord of the Rings (2023) won multiple awards including the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Regional Production.

2022: The Watermill receives a 100% cut in Arts Council England funding (14% of annual turnover).

2024: The Watermill wins Theatre of the Year 2024 at The Stage Awards held jointly with the National Theatre; the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Regional Production, the Stage Management Association Team Award and 8 BroadwayWorld awards for The Lord of the Rings; and is named the Greenham Trust’s Community Charity of the Year.

Paul Hart and Claire Murray holding the Theatre of the Year Award — Joint CEOs Artistic Director Paul Hart and Executive Director Claire Murray at The Stage Awards 2024..