BRIEF ENCOUNTER and THE JUNGLE BOOK complete Autumn season at the Watermill

The Watermill Theatre have announced the final details of their 2021 autumn season, including a new production of Emma Rice’s stage adaptation of Brief Encounter from 14 October-13 November 2021 and The Jungle Book from 18 November-31 December 2021.

These shows will follow the previously announced productions of Lone Flyer (10 – 25 September), Poirot and Me (5 – 7 October) and Little Women (8 – 9 October).

Noël Coward’s epic love story, Brief Encounter, will be directed by Robert Kirby, with design by Harry Pizzey, composition and arrangements by Eamonn O’Dwyer and lighting by Ali Hunter. Casting will be announced shortly.

“I want to remember every minute. Always.”

A chance meeting between Laura and Alec in a train station tearoom leads to an impossible love affair. Engulfed by a sea of emotions, will they be swept ashore together, or will the tides of change pull them apart?

Based on the critically acclaimed film, Noël Coward’s timeless tale of happiness and heartache is reimagined for the stage in a dazzling new production of this epic love story. With music and movement to make your heart soar, this playful and inventive production will take you by the hand and whisk you on a journey through all of love’s beautiful complications.

Following Brief Encounter and having been originally scheduled for Christmas 2020, The Jungle Book will be directed by Tom Jackson Greaves, with full casting and creative team information to follow.

In the depths of the Indian rainforest a child is abandoned with no possessions, no family and no home. Under the light of the full moon, the infant is discovered by a pack of wolves who decide to raise him as one of their own.

When the ferocious tiger Shere Khan comes looking for prey, the child - Mowgli - is swept to safety by a friendly bear and a wise black panther. Together they teach him the laws of the jungle. Years later, Shere Khan returns and demands the ‘man cub’ leave the jungle forever. Mowgli faces a choice… should he stay and risk further destruction? Or should he leave and accept that the home he knows isn’t the right place for him after all?

A wild and captivating musical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale full of warmth, laughter and wonder. Join Mowgli, Baloo, Bagheera, Kaa, King Louie and more as The Watermill Theatre is transformed into the Indian jungle for the adventure of a lifetime.

Artistic Director Paul Hart said: “This autumn season, as we move back inside, is all about theatricality at its most playful and inventive. I’ve loved Emma Rice’s adaptation of Brief Encounter for such a long time and can’t wait to bring it to the Watermill stage. And I’m so delighted that we can finally share our new production of The Jungle Book which will be a treat for all ages. We will continue to offer some socially distanced performances alongside full capacity for these shows and I can’t wait to welcome audiences back into the theatre.”

For more information and to book tickets, please click here.