World premiere of VICTORIA: A QUEEN UNBOUND announced at Watermill Theatre

Fresh from being named Theatre of the Year at The Stage Awards 2026, the Watermill Theatre has announced the world premiere of Victoria: A Queen Unbound, a new play by creator of ITV’s Victoria, Daisy Goodwin, which runs at the Newbury venue from 27 March - 9 May.

“Diaries survive while feelings slip away. They are the skeleton on which posterity puts flesh.”

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.

This new play offers a fresh perspective on one of history’s greatest monarchs.

Casting is to be announced.

Artistic Director and Joint CEO of the Watermill, Paul Hart, said: “Victoria: A Queen Unbound takes a look at one of the most famous relationships in history and takes us behind the veil as to what makes these extraordinary people tick. It’s an unflinching and deeply fascinating look at how a legacy is shaped and the joy, pain and manipulation of love. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with Daisy who knows more about this subject than anyone and to be staging the world premiere of this piece. We’re also thrilled to be welcoming back Sophie Drake after her recent production of Charley’s Aunt with us.”

Daisy Goodwin 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."

For more info on Victoria: A Queen Unbound, please click here.