Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Joint CEOs, Artistic Director Paul Hart and Executive Director Claire Murray, and the whole team at Newbury’s Watermill Theatre are delighted to announce that they will be offering their first Dementia Friendly performance for the award-winning venue’s 2026 summer musical and family classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, on Thursday 16 July at 2.30pm.
This Dementia Friendly performance creates a relaxed, supportive environment for people living with dementia and those who support them.
This is achieved through numerous means, including pre-show information to help prepare for a visit, and Dementia Friendly staff available for support before, during and after the show.
During the performance, low-level lighting is used, and there are quiet spaces and a chill-out area which patrons are free to use.
The performance is a relaxed and inclusive environment, where movement, noise, and different expressions of enjoyment are welcomed.
This Dementia Friendly performance forms another part of the Watermill’s extensive range of Access performances throughout the year.
These include BSL integrated where interpreters join the actors on stage and BSL interpreted performances, closed-captioned performances, audio-described and Touch Tour performances, and relaxed performances.
As well as this, the Watermill welcomes audiences to request familiarisation visits, to look around the theatre and get their bearings when the theatre is less busy.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang runs from Tuesday 26 May to Sunday 13 September, with a national press night on Thursday 4 June.
Further information can be found on the Watermill’s website https://www.watermill.org.uk/
.
Claire Murray said, “It’s central to our ethos to welcome everyone to the Watermill and we’re delighted that for the first time this will expand to offering a Dementia Friendly performance on this year’s summer musical. Our team are working with partners all over West Berkshire to reach people living with dementia and we’re looking forward to some group singing workshops, inspired by the much-loved music in the show. We look forward to welcoming the groups to the Watermill’s performance of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on Thursday 16 July.”
With music and lyrics by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman, adapted for the stage by Jeremy Sams, and based on the MGM motion picture, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be directed by Paul Hart, with the Watermill’s signature storytelling, inventiveness and actor-musicianship at its heart.
This new production will feature classic songs played live by an ensemble cast, including “Truly Scrumptious”, “Hushabye Mountain” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”.
Tickets for the Dementia Friendly performance of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang can be purchased online or by calling the box office team on 01635 46044.
ACCESS PERFORMANCES:
Dementia Friendly: Thu 16 Jul, 2:30pm
Signed: Sun 12 Jul & Sat 8 Aug, 2.30pm
Captioned: Sun 12 & Sat 18 Jul, Sat 8 & Sun 9 Aug, 2.30pm
Relaxed: Sat 18 Jul, 2.30pm
Audio Described: Sun 9 Aug & Sat 5 Sep, 2.30pm
Touch Tour: Sun 9 Aug & Sat 5 Sep, 2.30pm
VENUE: Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 8AE
BOX OFFICE: 01635 46044
watermill.org.uk
AGE GUIDANCE: This production is recommended as most suitable for those aged 5 and over.
Credits:
Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Music by Special Arrangement with Sony/ATV Publishing
Adapted for the Stage by Jeremy Sams
Based on the MGM Motion Picture
Licensed Script Adapted by Ray Roderick
Originally produced by Eon Productions, Dana Broccoli, Frederick Zollo, Nicholas Paleologos, Jeffrey Sine, Miriam Productions and Michael Rose at The London Palladium
This production is presented by permission of Music Theatre International
Production Sponsor: Horsey Lightly Solicitors
Young Performers Sponsor: Chester Rose Financial Planning
The Watermill Theatre
The Watermill Theatre is a unique producing powerhouse of residential and artistic facilities which provide a crucible for creativity, innovative storytelling, and artistic excellence.
The Watermill’s mission is to make theatre that is surprising, inventive, and exciting and to enable access for everyone.
A hallmark of its work is the artistry of actor-musicianship, in both new writing and reinvigorated classics.
The theatre nurtures and celebrates talent and creativity in its company, community, and in the wider sector and it holds wellbeing, equity, and sustainability at the heart of its culture.
The Watermill Theatre is a small but mighty 200- seat theatre, set in idyllic gardens and nestled on the banks of the river Lambourn in rural West Berkshire, southeast England.
In 2024, the Watermill was awarded the prestigious title of ‘Theatre of the Year’ jointly with the National Theatre.
This award, recognising excellence in British theatre, was bestowed on the Watermill Theatre for its continued ambition as an independent charity, and the success of their 2023 production of The Lord of the Rings.
This multi award-winning production, the Watermill’s most ambitious to date, has subsequently transferred to Chicago, Auckland, and Australia (tour) before it returns to the UK in October 2025.
Reaching far beyond the 200 seats in its auditorium, the Watermill’s productions regularly transfer to the West End or tour the UK and internationally, including Calamity Jane, Spike, Bleak Expectations, Amelie the Musical, Tell Me on a Sunday, and Crazy for You.
With a core belief in the transformative power of the arts, the Watermill Theatre also runs a comprehensive outreach programme, working with children and young people, those from low- income backgrounds, and isolated or displaced communities.
You must be logged in to post a comment.