Foul play foursome
Come and pay your respects to The Late Edwina Black
We all love a whodunnit – well, most people I’ve spoken to say they do! We humans are naturally curious and enjoy solving puzzles. The whodunnit is an intellectual game where readers / viewers sift through clues and red herrings alongside the detective, or inspector, as in this play, to identify the culprit. In most whodunnits there are usually many suspects to choose from, making it harder to correctly pick the right one. This play’s authors, William Dinner and William Morum, provide us with only three suspects – yes, only three. They’re: Gregory Black, the husband; Elizabeth Graham, Edwina’s lady companion; and Ellen, the housekeeper. With only three suspects you’d think it would be easy to solve, but the clever writing, with its twists and turns, will keep you guessing till the very end.
The play is set in the drawing room of Amberwood House in 1895. Edwina Black, after several months of being bedridden, has died – much to the relief of her hen-pecked husband and her downtrodden lady companion; who have secretly become lovers. The play opens on the eve of Edwina’s funeral: all arrangements have been made and everything is going to plan, until a police inspector calls at the house to inform Mr Black that the funeral will have to be delayed. The doctor, who’s been attending Edwina, is not satisfied with the cause of her sudden death and a post-mortem must be carried out. When this reveals that Edwina has died of arsenic poison, the three suspects become suspicious, accusing and incriminating each other. Inspector Martin has to untangle all the accusations and mystery surrounding Edwina’s last days leading up to her death and eventually solve ‘whodunnit’…
It’s been great fun directing this play and working with the actors to develop complex, relatable and slightly suspicious characters. It’s been a challenge but greatly rewarding, watching them all develop beautifully into their roles.
Maureen
Director
From the Chair
Welcome to April’s Barn News
As I write this, we’re about to have a dress rehearsal for All Our Children, and I realised that this is already the seventh main auditorium show of the season. How did it happen so quickly? We’re already planning for next year and Clive Weatherley lists his selection of plays further on in this edition. It’s a great mix of crowd-pleasers and excellent dramas that you can start thinking about now; is there anything there for you to audition for, or maybe volunteer to help out backstage or front of house? All contributions are greatly appreciated. As Hughie Green used to say, I mean that most sincerely (if you’re under 50, get someone to explain).
Being involved with All Our Children reminds me yet again about the incredibly talented people at the Barn who give up their time and share their passion for the theatre in order to entertain local audiences. And this shared passion is replicated all across the country, and long may it last. I know that some theatres disappeared during Covid, and we protected ourselves at that time by taking out a low-cost loan to make sure we had sufficient finance to survive. Thanks to hard work, careful management and a choice of plays that continues to bring in audiences, we’ve now paid off the loan. I hope that actions by one man across the pond don’t create similar cost challenges for us and other amateur organisations, but we’d already secured fixed-price energy costs for the next few years.
I was able to attend some of the productions at the 82nd Youth Drama Festival, rehearsal permitting, and congratulations to the Hedwig, Errol and Hermes youth groups and their tutors for their performances. Most importantly, it allowed a large number of our youth group members to appear on the main stage, and we used our recently purchased wheelchair lift to make this possible for one of our members. Accessibility was raised as an issue at our AGM in January, and Michael Merry and others have been discussing how we can continue to improve access to parts of the theatre and bar, and we’re considering a number of options.
Which brings me to other improvements we’re planning. We’re hoping to install air conditioning in the main auditorium this summer, subject to planning approval, and replace and improve the hearing loop so that Annie Woolmington and I (and others) don’t have to sit near the side of the auditorium to make use of it! These will be expensive items, but Barn Council has approved these important investments which will improve the experience and comfort of our audiences for years to come. As soon as we have more details about the timing of them, we’ll let you know.
We’ll see if we can obtain some grant income to help with the costs, and we may use some of a bequest that was set aside for larger improvements. It’s important we keep upgrading the facilities in addition to the ongoing maintenance that comes from operating in a historic wooden building. I know that we’ll be looking for volunteers this summer to help with some internal painting and decorating, so put aside your decorating outfits so you’re ready to go!
We continue to bring new things to the theatre between our productions: there will be another poetry evening by Glyn Maxwell in the near future; Lisa Roberts has got her teeth into the social activities and Eurovision night will be happening in May; and Hazel Halliday has breathed life into play readings, and her report on that is down below. Thanks, as ever, to all who make these things happen.
I’ll see you in the (improving) theatre.
Ian Major
Chair
Membership & Council
Minutes from previous Council meetings.
Please find the minutes of all meetings of the Barn Theatre Council. Once they are approved, usually the month after, they will be uploaded here.
Our membership news depends on information we get from YOU
New members
Dagmar Brook – audience
Conor Byrne – audience
Freddie Curry – acting
Stanley Curry – acting
Sue Fletcher – audience
Emily Gardner – bar, box office, props, sound, sets, stage management, wardrobe
Lucas McDonald – acting
Brian Stuart – audience
Welcome to the Barn!
Congratulations to Barn Youth!
Congratulations to the Hedwig, Errol and Hermes youth groups and their tutors, Georgina, Emma and Sean on some great performances at this year’s Youth Drama Festival. Hedwig performed Double Double; Errol performed Alice in Wonderland; and Hermes performed Animal Farm – with some scary masks, as you can see in the photo! The Errol group received a nomination for the adjudicator’s award for the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party scene; and Jonah Cook was awarded an actor’s medal for his performance as the Jack of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland.
Well done everyone!
Jacqueline Clayton
Barn Youth Director
Could you be our new Marketing Director?
Barbara Holgate-Stuckey, who’s been the Barn’s Marketing Director for the past three years, is stepping down at the end of this season. As a result, we’re interested in hearing from anyone who would be interested in taking on this role.
The marketing process is pretty much established, and the role involves leading the marketing team and working with the directors and production managers of all the Barn’s productions. If you enjoy project management, this role could be for you.
It’s a busy but fun role and a great way to be involved in the Barn’s productions and to get to know a wide range of our members. If you’re interested in getting involved, or would like to find out more, please contact Barbara via [email protected]
Play Reading Group – rekindled!
Hazel
Our first foray into a revival effort for the regular daytime Play Reading Group went extremely well. Fourteen Barn members comprising a good gender mix – six guys and eight gals (and not forgetting Ted, the dog) settled comfortably into the Green Room on Wednesday 18th March to read Jez Butterworth’s The Hills of California. It was lovely to see some who used to be regular attendees, as well as others whose current work commitments no longer prevent them from socialising in the daytime. The library playset (we’re so fortunate to have this resource – please fill out the survey link at the bottom!) was the original version that aired in London in early 2024. It was subsequently altered prior to a run in New York.
The tale opens in Blackpool in the hot summer of 1976. Veronica Webb, single mother of four daughters is dying upstairs. The youngest daughter has remained living at home in their rather seedy guest house and is awaiting the return of her three sisters. The play moves backwards and forwards through time. In 1955, the girls are all young teenagers and Veronica is hoping to guide them into a singing career akin to the Andrews Sisters. Into their young lives comes an American talent agent and life changes for the family.
We thoroughly enjoyed the story. There are many laughs throughout and a few gasps as well. Lots of great tunes from the 1950s – some well-known like The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B, but a few slightly more obscure. I’d hunted them down on YouTube in advance and was able to play short snatches that I’d recorded on my mobile
We hope to be able to run more sessions in future, but we need to rethink the timing. The Studio was occupied by a mother and baby group and we think there was also activity in the Friends Meeting House. With street parking unavailable on the surrounding roads until after 11am due to yellow banding, Barn Close was a mess. Cars were double-parked and on all the grass verges. We had aimed to start at 10am but didn’t get going until about 10.15 as folk were delayed trying to find anywhere to park and, in one case, actually giving up and going into town for a coffee instead. So nothing is fixed yet. Watch out for emails and Facebook posts for updates.
Raise your voice in helping to save our wonderful Performing Arts Library from closure by HCC: go to www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/performingartsconsultation
Poetry at the Barn
Friday 15th May 8pm in the Clubroom
For the second time this season, please join us in the bar (which will indeed be open) for the Barn poetry night. Our three featured poets will each be doing a short set. Barn member and playwright Glyn Maxwell will be back with some new poems and there’s also a chance to perform yourself. There will be an open-mic slot at the start of the evening for anyone who wants to read one of their own poems to the assembled throng. All you need to do is let me know in advance and I’ll reserve you a slot.
Glyn has won several awards for his many poetry collections, including the Somerset Maugham Prize, the E M Forster Prize from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize. His work has been shortlisted for the T S Eliot Prize (three times), Forward and Whitbread Prizes. His collections include How the Hell are You (2020); Pluto (2013); One Thousand Nights and Counting: Selected Poems (2011); Hide Now (2008); and The Nerve (2002). Many of his plays have been staged in the UK and USA and even at the Barn itself. He published On Poetry, a general reader’s guide to the craft, in 2020.
Tickets are £10 and available to book via the Barn website or in person at the box office. This event sold very well the first time so please book early to avoid disappointment. I hope to see many of you there.
Danny
Another Directors Evening, another new season!
The only place to be on Sunday 10th May, from 7pm, is the Barn – for the annual extravaganza known as the Directors Evening. Please join us as our intrepid directors reveal their plans and wishes for next season, and tell you all you need to know in ways that may or may not prove entertaining. Whatever happens, it’s an evening not to be missed – get there early for a seat or join the overflow in the bar.
Here’s a sneak preview of the season, if you want to do your homework. For the full stories, see you on the 10th.
Clive Weatherley
Artistic Director
Our 2026-27 season
18th-26th September
The Full Monty
by Simon Beaufoy, directed by Hannah Sayer
A group of out-of-work Sheffield steelworkers find a novel – and cheeky – way to make ends meet.
16th-24th October
The Father
by Florian Zeller, directed by Laura Ilica
A deeply moving and darkly humorous look at the world through the eyes of a man with dementia.
13th-21st November
Underdog: the Other Other Brontë
by Sarah Gordon, directed by Lou Wallace
An irreverent retelling of the literary sisters’ story, and the power dynamics that shaped their uneven rise to fame.
11th-19th December
The Box of Delights
by Piers Torday, directed by Godfrey Marriott
The enchanting stage adaptation of John Masefield’s classic story of magic, fantasy and saving the future of Christmas.
15th-23rd January
The Hills of California
by Jez Butterworth, directed by Rob Graham
Four sisters abandon dreams of showbiz to confront their past and its tangle of secrets, betrayals and deep emotional bonds.
5th-13th February
Dial M for Murder
by Jeffrey Hatcher, directed by Simon Wallace
A new version of the murder mystery that inspired Hitchcock’s masterpiece, brimming with jealousy, deception – and homicide.
26th March-3rd April
Till the Stars Come Down
by Beth Steel, directed by Mark O’Sullivan
Humour and tragedy. Love and loss. Political and economic scars. All unfolding over one scorching summer wedding day.
23rd April-1st May
The Vicar of Dibley
by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer, directed by Maureen Davies
All the characters and laughs from the classic TV series, following Geraldine Granger’s shock arrival as village vicar.
11th-19th June
The Welkin
by Lucy Kirkwood, directed by Laura Eddy
As Sally Poppy is set to hang for murder, a disparate jury of 12 matrons must decide her fate.
And in the Studio, courtesy of Danny Swanson:
October
Falsettoland
by William Finn and James Lapine, directed by Steve Thompson
The third part of the Falsettos trilogy, this award-winning musical examination of the AIDS crisis in America is funny and tragic in equal measure.
February
Third Carriage from the End / The Girl with the Red Balloon
written and directed by Lou Wallace and George Marsh
A tender musical of two strangers on a train, and a surreal piece of street-art choreography, both from last year’s Short and Sweet festival.
May
The Dumb Waiter / The Collection
by Harold Pinter, directed by Becky Done
Two hitmen await their next assignment; two couples experience an anonymous phone call and a disturbing visitor. A double-bill of pure Pinter.
Danny Swanson
Studio: Artistic Director
Cabin Pressure Cast and Creatives
Cast
First Officer Douglas Richardson – Des Turner
Carolyn Knapp-Shappey – Jan Palmer Sayer
Captain Martin Crieff – Lorna Thompson
Steward Arthur Shappey – Eliot Swain
Madame Szyszko-Bohusz – Steph Cotter*
Diego – Hannah Sayer*
* Will also play other roles
Creatives
Director – Sharon Francis
Assistant Director – Cliff Francis
Production Manager – Jacqueline Clayton
Assistant Production Manager – Catherine Lambe
Stage Manager – Devi Smart
Lighting Design – Tallan and Tristan Cameron
Sound Design – James Rowles
Sound and Lighting Operator – James Rowles
Foley Artists – Nigel Rive, Tallan Cameron
Audition Notice:
Death
by Woody Allen
Directed by Rob Graham
Performance dates: 15th to 18th July (Including Saturday matinee)
A Youth main stage production
Audition dates:
Wednesday 15th April 7.30pm-9.30pm
Sunday 19th April 2.30pm-4.30pm
Tuesday 21st April 8pm-10pm
All in Room One
The chosen play is Death by Woody Allen which is based on Ionesco’s The Killer. Allen’s film, Shadows and Fog, also draws loosely from the play. Despite the title, it’s a fast-paced, one-act, dark anarchic comedy which will be well-suited to a younger cast.
Kleinman, a meek salesman, is awoken late one night by a vigilante mob who force him to help catch a serial killer. But he’s never really given any idea about his part in the plan and so he stumbles, wisecracking, from one scene to the next in a state of total confusion, until he comes face to face with the murderer.
There are 20 characters but I’m looking for an energetic and enthusiastic cast of 12 with some doubling. Casting will be gender-blind and there are some terrific parts. The central character of Kleinman is an absolute belter. Auditions are open to all holding Barn Youth membership as at 31st December 2025. Rehearsals will likely start at the end of April but will not take place during the Spring Bank Holiday week. They will also be scheduled to take account of Barn Youth group sessions wherever possible.
There is no upper / lower age restriction on those wishing to audition but with rehearsals likely to be scheduled up to three days a week (including either Sunday morning / afternoon), this will be a big commitment. I will be expecting the actors to deliver a high standard of performance with strong production values and stagecraft to showcase the talent we have in the ranks of our younger membership. It will, however, be great fun as well!
Those auditioning with a particular creative talent, e.g. singing, musical instruments, magic, should make this known and we’ll try to accommodate in the show if at all feasible. Subject to chaperoning logistics, there may also be the opportunity for some youngsters to shadow the adult backstage crew, so if this is of interest please let us know.
Scripts are available from Jacqueline Clayton. We’ll be looking to hold auditions in 15-20-minute slots with up to three people at a time, so please contact Jacqueline to book your preferred slot. If for any reason you can’t make the dates, let us know and we’ll try and accommodate you. A synopsis of parts with suggested audition pages is given below. Note that the play is set in New York so American accents will be required.
Characters
Kleinman (M/F) – Pg 22-32
Confused by the strange demands being placed upon him / her by the vigilante groups, Kleinman is a rather meek, yet wise-cracking individual who is the only person trying to approach the murders logically. This is the lead role / main character and is never off stage. A very large part and a fantastic opportunity for a confident young actor.
Anna (M/F) – Pg 15-22, Pg 53-55
Kleinman’s rather unhelpful nextdoor neighbour. A good role. May also double with Spiro, the rubbish clairvoyant.
Hacker (M/F) – Pg 6-14, Pg 58-62
Leader of first vigilante group. Another good role. Likely to double with the Maniacal Murderer.
Al (M/F) – Pg 22-27
Second in command of first vigilante group. Has a significant scene with Kleinman.
Doctor (M/F) – Pg 28-32
Fancies themselves as a criminal psychologist, but is pretty useless. A significant role with also the opportunity to double for Henry (second vigilante group).
Gina (M/F) – Pg 32-39
A very streetwise individual. Kleinman mistakes her affections for something more, but ends up paying the price. Another significant role but may also take lines given to Abe.
Man (M/F) – Pg 43-48
Something of a go-between between the two vigilante groups. Despite the name, this is a decent role with some stage time with Kleinman alone.
Victor (M/F) – Pg 6-14
Part of first vigilante group. A smaller role but likely to absorb lines given to Hank and opportunity to double with Frank from second vigilante group.
Sam (M/F) – Pg 6-14, Pg 62-64
Part of first vigilante group. A smaller role but likely to absorb some lines given to John.
John (M/F) – Pg 6-14, Pg 62-64
Part of first vigilante group. A smaller role, similar to Sam.
Cop / Policeman (M/F) – Pg 43-48
A smaller but key role.
Bill (M/F) – Pg 52-57
Part of second vigilante group. A small role so likely to absorb lines given to both Don and Assistant.
Singer (M/F) – May double with Gina. Song to perform likely to be Mack the Knife.
President Bump (M/F) – A monologue and/or question and answer session as a prelude to the play.
Contacts
Production Manager: Jacqueline Clayton – [email protected]
Director: Rob Graham – [email protected]
Rob Graham
Director
Dates for your diary
Performances
All Our Children
27th March to 4th April at 8pm
Matinee 4th April at 2.30pm
The Late Edwina Black
24th April to 2nd May at 8pm
Matinee 2nd May at 2.30pm
Cabin Pressure
26th to 30th May at 8pm
Matinee 30th May 2.30pm
In the Studio
Auditions
Death
A youth mainstage production
Wednesday 15th April, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Sunday 19th April, 2.30pm-4.30pm
Tuesday 21st April, 8pm-10pm
Social and Club events
Singers at the Barn
No April Singers (Easter Sunday)
Musicals at the Barn
Friday 10th April at 8pm
Jazz at the Barn
Friday 17th April at 8pm
Comedy at the Barn
Saturday 18th April at 8pm
Play Reading Group
Tuesday 28th April at 1pm
Directors Evening
Sunday 10th May at 7pm
Poetry at the Barn
Friday 15th May at 8pm in the Clubroom
Eurovision 2026 Party
Saturday 16th May at 7.30pm in the Clubroom
Next Council meeting
Wednesday 8th April at 8pm
Members’ password
MASK
Archive submission link
If you have any digital archive items to send to the Archive team please
click here
Who’s Who
at the Barn Theatre Club
Directors
Chair Ian Major [email protected]
Finance Sofia Oliva (07493 854400) [email protected]
Marketing Barbara Holgate-Stuckey (07740 812950) [email protected]
Membership Celia Roberts (07799 255425) [email protected]
Facilities Michael Merry (07973 238346) [email protected]
Stage Director Nigel Rive (07768 867534) [email protected]
Props Sheila Grimmant (07970 929290) [email protected]
Studio Danny Swanson (07583 613696) [email protected]
Youth Jacqueline Clayton (07981 866568) [email protected]
Non-Executive Director Sarah Gennoe (07990 595245) [email protected]
Non-voting Council Members
Company Secretary Linda Miles (01707 335718) [email protected]
Artistic Director Clive Weatherley (07773 044801) [email protected]
Social Director Lisa Roberts (07917 797712) [email protected]
Wardrobe Director Yvonne Bartlett (07890 561846) [email protected]
Other responsibilities
Archives Alice Croot & Rob Wallace [email protected]
If you have any archives items to send us please CLICK HERE
Barn News Mike Smith (07774 849606) [email protected]
Bar Manager Martin Moore (07768 650660) [email protected]
Child Protection Linda Miles (01707 335718) [email protected]
Club Nights Lisa Roberts (07917 797712)
Coffee Bar Sue George (01707 330274) [email protected]
Costume Hire Sheelagh Mogg (07909 196252) [email protected]
Direct Debit Admin Ian Major (07789 728997)
FoH Admin Wendy Bage (07834 586144) [email protected]
Library Clive Weatherley (07773 044801) [email protected]
LTG Rep John Cook (07973 221617) [email protected]
Photography Simon Wallace (07875 423550) [email protected]
Photo Studio Hire Stephen Kahn (07946 589466) [email protected]
Private Hire Victoria Rive (01707 336446) [email protected]
Press Officer Alun David [email protected]
Rehearsal Rooms Victoria Rive (01707 336446) [email protected]
Singers at the Barn Michelle Williams (07946 376993) [email protected]
Site Manager Sharon Francis (07885 421051) [email protected]
Stage Lighting Nick Mogg (07802 866843) [email protected]
Stage Sound James Rowles (07958 427927) [email protected]
Studio Director Danny Swanson (07583 613696) [email protected]
Website John Cook (07973 221617) [email protected]
Workshop Bob Cameron (07733 101294) [email protected]
Youth Groups
Barn Erroll Emma Turner (07841 836351)
Barn Pigwidgeon Georgina Bennett (07923 620163)
Barn Hedwig Georgina Bennett (07923 620163)
Barn Hermes Sean Scotchford (07814 236260)
Barn Owlets Kate Humbles (07712 343109)
Youth Group Administrator
Jacqueline Clayton (07981 866568) [email protected]
Telephone
Theatre & Box Office 01707 324300