The Watermill is set to lose 100% of its Arts Council funding despite its application meeting all the eligibility criteria. The cut is likely to hit community engagement projects which work with over 20,000 people a year including refugees, people with autism, people with additional needs and their inclusive youth theatre. 

Half of its annual 12 shows result in regional and rural touring or transfers, and it's a specialist in BSL-interpreted performances. Cutting funds for theatres which produce touring work fails to understand the economic model of regional theatres. The Arts Council claims it want to "level up" across the regions but their cuts threaten shows like The Sleeping Sword which is touring to hundreds of local school children.

For those of us in rural West Berkshire The Watermill is the only producing theatre we can get to regularly and easily. 

We call on The Arts Council to reinstate the funding for The Watermill Theatre.