England's Watermill Theatre will produce a revival of Cy Coleman, Michael Stewart, and Mark Bramble's Barnum this summer.

\Running July 2 to September 8, the P.T. Barnum musical will be directed by Jonathan O’Boyle (Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical, The Last Five Years) and choreographed by Oti Mabuse. Featuring an ensemble of actor-musicians and circus performers, casting will be announced at a later date.

The musical revival will be preceded by a new take on Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, which will run April 12 to May 18. Adapted by Tom Wentworth and directed by Paul Hart, the production transports the comedy to a bustling 1940s film set, again played by an ensemble of actor-musicians.

May 23 to June 15 will bring the world premiere of Fanny, a new comedy by Calum Finlay (not to be confused with the 1954 Broadway musical of the same name), directed by Katie-Ann McDonough, and starring Charlie Russell (The Goes Wrong Show, The Play That Goes Wrong), that reveals that Fanny Mendelssohn, sister of renowned composer Felix Mendelssohn, wrote some of his most celebrated songs. The irreverent comedy celebrates classical music and women's contributions to the musical canon, all with a winking eye.

The Watermill will end their 2024 season with a new stage production of David Seidler's The King's Speech September 20 through November 2, as directed by Emma Butler; and its annual festive offering, a musical adaptation of Pinocchio, which will run November 15 through January 5, 2025.

Located a little over an hour from London, Watermill Theatre was named Theatre of the Year at 2024's The Stage Awards, an honor the company shared with London's National Theatre.

For a complete list of Watermill's 2024 offerings, including its children's programming, farmer's market, and the Watermill Comedy Night, visit Watermill.org.uk.