The production will run at the theatre from the 27th March until the 9th May.
The Watermill Theatre will present the world premiere Victoria: A Queen Unbound a new play by Daisy Goodwin, creator of ITV’s Victoria.
Osborne House 1901. As Victoria faces the final days of her reign, she clings to her diaries, the carefully kept record of a life defined by love, duty and profound loss. Into this certainty comes her younger self, forcing the older Victoria to confront memories she’s chosen to bury and truths she’s chosen to forget.
Victoria and Albert are celebrated as one of history’s great love stories. A devoted marriage with nine children, and then a young widow dedicated to his memory. At least that is the version written down. But does writing something make it true? Looking back at a young queen, this new play tells the story of a woman pregnant for most of her 20s and 30s, gradually surrendering her strength and authority to her husband, and growing increasingly lonely in her crumbling marriage.
Meanwhile returning to the Watermill after their work on Charley’s Aunt will be director Sophie Drake (The Bleeding Tree – Stage Debut Award), set and costume designer Alex Berry (Intimate Apparel – WhatsOnStage Award Nomination), and lighting designer Ben Jacobs, (Oliver! – Olivier Award), and coming to the Watermill for the first time, is sound designer and composer Asaf Zohar (Ballet Shoes – Olivier Award Nomination).
Casting for the production has yet to be announced
Daisy Goodwin, Victoria: A Queen Unbound writer said, “When Albert died, Victoria said that he had done everything for her, ‘he even used to choose my bonnets’. That sentence got me thinking about their relationship. What kind of man picks out his wife’s hats, and why would any woman, let alone a Queen, allow her husband to choose her clothes? It made me wonder if Victoria’s diaries might be the work of an unreliable narrator. I am thrilled to be working with the super talented team at the Watermill, and to be bringing this brand-new take on a familiar theme to the stage.”
The announcement follows the theatre being named Theatre of the Year at the 2026 Stage Awards, shared this year with the Royal Court Theatre.
To find out more visit: https://www.watermill.org.uk/events/victoria