Death at the Barn was so very enjoyable !
The first Youth production in eight years to be part of the main season of the Barn has finished to critical acclaim. Death by Woody Allen was a resounding success, earning much praise for its professionalism and creative talent from all those who saw it. It was a tribute to the vision and much time and effort of director Rob Graham and assistant director Michelle Airey, working with a dedicated crew and a talented team of youngsters to bring out their very best.
The action was set in early 1950s New York – during the McCarthy period – when paranoia and fear-mongering were rife. The play follows the misadventures of Kleinman, a neurotic salesman whose efforts at living a quiet life are hopelessly disrupted when a local vigilante gang forces him to join a hunt for a serial killer terrorising the city.
Among the many plaudits which came after the production was the following from Jan Palmer Sayer, who is a national drama adjudicator, so it really is a great accolade. She wrote: “Well, I love an opening night, and I was looking forward to seeing what the Barn Youth could pull out of that natty little Woody Allen piece, Death. Apart from entries into the annual Youth Drama Festival, we haven’t recently had the pleasure of seeing what our young thesps can do, as a group on that stage.
Death was a great choice: it is a star vehicle for the leading player, but it also requires a superb ensemble as well as an inspiring director to get the very most out of it. What I hadn’t bargained for, but got in spades, was superb technical support, too.
It was, in short, a fantastic evening. Jonah Cook was certainly appealing and engaging in the central role – and so very watchable – but what support he had from the rest of the company. All excelled in their cameo roles, grasping any opportunity given to them as well as providing terrific ensemble support.
In Rob Graham’s experienced and creative hands as a director, they together managed to create an unforgettable evening. The only tinge of disappointment was that they weren’t playing to a full house – they most certainly deserved to.
If they do stage anything again, grab the hot, hot ticket with both hands. I’ve been a Barn member for longer than I can remember and some of the most exciting stuff on that stage over the years has been Youth productions.
Did you manage to catch John Cook when he was a whippersnapper? Or Paul Brown /Albertson? Or Danny Swanson? Or Steve Thompson? Or Richard Dempsey…I did !
So congratulations to the full cast of Death which was: Jonah Cook, Yohann Beeharry, Daisy Solomon, Olivia Palmer-Walker, Elsie Solomon, Pippa Kidd, Joe Dixon, Annabel Sharp, Melissa Chapman, Annabel Viney and Zena Tailor.
From the Chair
Welcome to August’s Barn News
It was wonderful to see our young actors on stage for Death by Woody Allen and watch their enthusiasm and joy at performing on the main stage. I’d like to have a youth production every season, or every other season, as it gives an opportunity for actors in our youth groups or young acting members to entertain others – plus it provides a focus for their drama classes during the year in addition to the Youth Drama Festival. We don’t have a director for a youth production next season, so if anyone wants to volunteer, please get in touch.
I was very impressed by the projected backgrounds and the atmospheric introduction to the play. Our technical team is now getting the most from our new projector, and the sound and lighting effects add so much to the productions as we also saw in X. I’m looking forward to what the team will produce over the next 12 months.
Another cause for celebration is the wedding of Jess Wall and Paul Russell who held a very special ‘performance’ on the Barn stage, overseen by Rob Graham. I know that everyone will join me in wishing them all the joy and happiness that they deserve.
So now we have a very short window to carry out the planned maintenance and improvements before The Full Monty fills the auditorium from mid-September. You’ll see below that we’re planning another open morning to showcase the theatre to the local community. Thanks in advance to everyone who’s volunteered for the summer works and the open morning: it’s much appreciated.
Ian Major
Chair
Announcement: Brian Duffy
The daughters of Brian Duffy would like to let you know that Brian sadly died on Saturday 25th July.
He came back home from St Andrews Care Home for two weeks. It was lovely and sunny, we put a bed in his living room, garden doors open, his music on, his dog lying around and family members sitting with him. It was peaceful and quiet.
It’s a relief to think he’s back with mum, Denise, which is all he ever really wanted. ♥️
Brian and Denise were long-time members of the Barn, and they were collectively involved in nearly 100 production in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Brian and his good friend Len Price were also responsible for many of the large building projects undertaken by the trust at that time. Mum and dad spent many happy hours at the club with the Shaws, Farlies, Lloyds, Woolmingtons, Thompson and many more.
A life celebration for him will be held at
Welwyn Rugby Club on the afternoon of 28th August.
A confirmation email of the exact details will be sent nearer the time in case you wish to join us.
Lorraine & Tracy
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
Alessia Procaccini – Acting, Box Office, Front of House
Chris Tobin – Audience
Welcome to the Barn!
Calling all volunteers!
As mentioned in last month’s Barn News, we’re holding an Open Day on Sunday 20th September from 10am to 2pm where the public can tour both front-of-house and behind the scenes at the Barn, to see everything that goes into producing our shows. This is a wonderful opportunity to widen awareness of the Barn in our local area, and hopefully to encourage new members.
We hope this year’s event will be as successful as the last one, and we need your help to achieve this. If you’re able to volunteer on the day, even if only for part of the time, we need your help across a variety of roles that include:
- guided tours for visitors
- manning different areas of the theatre to guide visitors and answer questions
- serving tea and coffee
- serving behind the bar (12 to 2pm)
If you can help, please drop an email to Celia Roberts ( [email protected] ) and she’ll be in touch with more details.
A fond farewell to Keith
On Sunday 12th July at midday, approximately 50 Barn members turned up at the club to take part in scattering the ashes of Keith Thompson. The Barn was Keith’s favourite place and so the family thought it fitting that his remains should be scattered there.
His son Steve led the informal ceremony and Jim Markey read from his Barn News obituary. Then everyone present took a handful of the ashes and distributed them (for the most part) around the oak tree outside the front of the theatre.
There were a few exceptions: one or two people ran off to secret corners of the theatre to scatter some. Apparently some of Keith’s ashes are by the stage door now, and some even made it onto the stage for Rob Graham’s production!
The family would like to thank everyone who attended (responding to a mention on Facebook). It was an overwhelming turn-out and a fitting end to Keith’s career in the theatre.
Anyone enjoyed the World Cup recently?
The Barn Studio is very proud to present The Academy, a brand new play by Nicole Moody. If you saw Short and Sweet in October, Nicole wrote the fantastically witty and surreal play Loaf. The Academy is only showing for three performances: from 6th to 7th November, with a matinee on the Saturday at 3.30pm. Book now to avoid disappointment! Below are a few words from Nicole about how The Academy came to be.
Writing a play about football has always felt like a responsibility, because the sport is so important to many people. In my play, The Academy, I wanted to move away from the matches / players’ side of the game, to focus on the relationships between people behind the scenes – all the way from the top of the hierarchy, the Chairman and CEO, to the club kit men, canteen staff and, of course, the academy kids and the parents who’ll risk anything to make their dreams come true.
My husband works in football so, despite not being a football fan myself, it’s something I’ve been exposed to a fair bit. I’ve seen much joy and good being done through the sport, but I’ve also witnessed the desperation when people think it’s the most important thing in life! Where there’s big money, and big dreams, there are always going to be many ways that corruption can creep in. I’ve also been struck by the stories in the news about under-reported issues that, unfortunately, are prevalent within the sport today. Despite tackling some darker issues, there’s still plenty of comedy in the play. We use an ensemble cast to play multiple roles and costume changes which happen in front of the audience, and music (football fans may recognise the walk-out songs) breaks up the scenes. The pace is fast and fun and, although storylines and characters do recur, it’s closer to a mosaic play than a traditional set piece.
The play has come a long way. I was one of the six writers in John Retallack’s Oxford playwriting programme, and John and the group were brilliant at providing support and feedback. Once the play was finished, a friend suggested I contact Shenagh Govan at Theatre Stratford East, who organised a read-through of the play with professional actors. That was an amazing experience and John consequently asked four of those actors – Sarah Kants, James Price, Evlyne Oyedokun and Sam Ebner-Landy – to play the parts when the play was first platformed at Oxford’s Old Fire Station in November 2025. John also paired me with director Paul Ansdell, who invited Nico Minott and Damian Lynch to join the cast. This was the original cast who performed two shows at The Old Fire Station and who will be touring it at the Barn in November. Working with John and then seeing the play develop under Paul’s masterful direction together with these wonderful actors has been a very rewarding – and highly enjoyable – experience. After the shows in Oxford, we were lucky enough to stage the play (now called The Academy) at The Etcetera Theatre in Camden as part of the Women’s Writing Festival in March 2026. Since then, the play was also recently selected by R Creatives for dramaturg support, which is great timing in helping its development further.
I’m truly excited to see the original cast and director regroup for performances at the Barn on 6th and 7th November. I first came across the Barn when a friend suggested I submit to the Short and Sweet new writing festival. My short play, Loaf, was one of the 12 plays selected. I was really impressed by everyone I encountered, from directors Danny and Rob to the acting talent, and staff working back and front of house. I wrote to Danny and sent him the script and I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to bring The Academy to the Barn. Ultimately, it’s a play about the dreams we have and those that can’t always be realised. I really hope you enjoy it, whether you like football or not!
Nicole
Audition Notice:
The Box of Delights
Adapted for the stage by Piers Torday from the novel by John Masefield
Directed by Godfrey Marriott
Playing dates: 10th to 19th December 2026
Audition dates:
Sunday 2nd August, 2.30pm, in the Studio
Tuesday 4th August, 7.30pm, in Room One
Please email [email protected] for scripts and queries.
Over a Christmas holiday long ago, so deep in the English countryside that the train dreams itself there, the mysterious Punch-and-Judy man, Cole Hawlings, entrusts young Kay with the Box of Delights, an enchanted mechanism that an evil sorcerer has travelled from the past to reclaim for nefarious purposes. His pack of ruthless wolves, literal and metaphorical, are closing in on Hawlings, Kay, and Kay’s plucky friends as they seek to keep the box out of his hands until midnight on Christmas Eve, when the wizard’s time runs out. But the murderous mage has a counterplan: by trickery and kidnap, he and his cutthroat crew will prevent Christmas itself! This will be a physical production, full of multiple roles and practical effects. Ideally, we’d like a big cast, with plenty of interesting stuff to do, but the principal named characters are:
Kay Harker – schoolboy, although we’re looking to cast year 11+. Resourceful, 1930s, heroic, plucky.
Cole Hawlings – peripatetic Punch-and-Judy man. Not a young man, but fit and hardy. Actually, a magician of great wisdom and power.
Abner Brown – villain. Evil sorcerer seeking world domination. Sadistic but stylish, a Bond film villain, pretty much.
Sylvia Daisy Pouncer – villainess. Stylish, 1930s gunwoman and kidnapper. Cool and devious. Drives a flying car, of course she does.
Maria Jones – Kay’s friend, ’13, going on 25’ (but looking to cast year 11+). A tomboy, always half-living in her rather violent imagination. Good to have on your side, though.
Peter Jones – Kay’s friend, Maria’s brother, ’12, going on 50′ (but looking to cast year 11+). Gloomy but good-hearted.
Charles – henchman. Affects to be a P G Wodehouse-style silly ass, ha, ha, what? But actually a ruthless cardsharp, burglar and kidnapper.
Joe – henchman. Also a ruthless cardsharp, burglar and kidnapper, and can slip into multiple accents and personae (ideally).
Caroline Louise – family friend who has volunteered to look after children with nowhere else to go over Christmas. Brisk and dependable. Contemporaries would have described her as a good egg.
Rat – hench-rodent. Actually a voice role, the rat being physically an ingenious puppet. Loathsome and untrustworthy, even by rat standards.
Herne the Huntress – an ancient and antlered deity of the English countryside, particularly at night. A friend of Cole Hawlings, but a power to herself.
And: a grandfather, a bishop, choristers prepared to belt out carols, a duchess, a mayor, a newsgirl, the voice of a magic and prophetic head, shopkeepers, a bolshy maid, a pack of wolves… A lot going on, is what we’re saying.
Hope to see you at an audition!
Godfrey
Director
Audition Notice:
The Shark is Broken
by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon
Directed by Simon Wallace
Performance dates: 5th to 13th February 2027
Audition dates:
Sunday 13th September at 3pm
Monday 14th September at 8pm
Wednesday 16th September at 8pm
All auditions are in Room 1
I’m absolutely delighted to be directing The Shark is Broken and can’t wait to get started. If you’re looking for a play packed with brilliant dialogue, comedy and three fantastic character roles, I’d love to see you at auditions.
About the play
Set during the famously chaotic filming of the 1975 blockbuster Jaws, The Shark is Broken takes us behind the scenes as three actors find themselves stuck aboard the Orca while the film’s infamous mechanical shark refuses to work.
With filming delayed day after day, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider pass the time with drinking, arguing, joking, reminiscing and putting the world to rights. What unfolds is a funny, sharp and surprisingly moving look at friendship, rivalry, fame, masculinity and the unpredictable nature of filmmaking.
The play runs for approximately 95 minutes with no interval.
The characters
Robert Shaw (playing age 45-55)
A distinguished British actor and writer. Charismatic, intelligent and often intimidating, with a razor-sharp wit and a fondness for a drink. Beneath his confidence is a man wrestling with insecurity and vulnerability. Requires strong dramatic ability and excellent comic timing.
Richard Dreyfuss (playing age 25-35)
Young, ambitious and full of nervous energy. Quick-witted, highly strung and determined to prove himself. He frequently clashes with Shaw but also brings warmth, humour and emotional honesty. Excellent comic timing and confident dialogue work are essential.
Roy Scheider (playing age 40-50)
The calm in the storm. Thoughtful, diplomatic and quietly authoritative, Roy often finds himself keeping the peace between the other two. Dry humour and understated emotional depth make this a wonderfully subtle role.
A bit of background
Written by Ian Shaw (Robert Shaw’s son) and Joseph Nixon, The Shark is Broken premiered in Brighton in 2019 before transferring to the Edinburgh Fringe, where it received widespread acclaim. It’s since enjoyed successful runs in both the West End and on Broadway, earning an Olivier Award nomination for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play.
Although inspired by real events, this isn’t a documentary – it’s an imaginative and entertaining exploration of what might have happened behind the scenes during one of cinema’s most legendary productions. And as such, I’m not looking for people who can do impressions of these actors: I’m after people who can bring their characters to the stage.
And don’t worry if you’ve never seen Jaws – it certainly helps, but it’s by no means essential for either audiences or performers.
Audition information
Auditions will consist of readings from the script, with recalls if required.
Scripts and audition pieces are available from me – please email me at:
I hope you’ll consider coming along, and I look forward to seeing you at the auditions!
Simon Wallace
Director (and Jaws aficionado / fanboy)
Audition Notice:
The Hills of California
by Jez Butterworth
Directed by Rob Graham
Playing dates: 15th to 23rd January 2027
Audition dates:
Sunday 6th September, 10.30am to 12.30pm, Studio
Tuesday 8th September, 8pm to 10pm, Studio
Wednesday 9th September, 6pm to 7pm, Room 1
Blackpool, 1976. The driest summer in two hundred years (until 2026?). The beaches are packed. The hotels are heaving. In the sweltering backstreets, far from the choc ices and donkey rides, the Webb sisters are returning to their mother’s run-down guest house, as she lies dying upstairs. When memories from their youth come flooding back, the sisters must confront their past and untangle a web of secrets, betrayals and profound emotional bonds. Relentlessly entertaining, the play draws the audience into a richly comic, yet profoundly tragic tale of working-class life and the lengths parents will go to for the sake of securing a better future for their children.
Here are a few pointers before I get into the character breakdowns:
- Playing dates 15th to 23rd January 2027. I reckon I need 13 actors with some doubling, so good stage time for everyone.
- I don’t want to be overly prescriptive about ages – in the script the young Webb sisters are aged 12 to 15 and their elder counterparts in their mid / late thirties – it’s more important that the two sets of sisters are a good match. I think it’s likely that I’ll be looking to cast girls / women who can ‘play down’ to the young sisters, so age range 16 to 25. The older sisters’ ages can be quite flexible – again it’s more important that the sisters are a believable match – ranging roughly 40-50. It would be great if I could match the younger sisters in looks to the older ones, but hey, who still looks like their 15-year-old self? The ages of all the other roles can be very flexible indeed.
- Singing / dancing – there is some limited singing by the older sisters, so it would be ideal if they can ‘hold a tune’. For the younger sisters it’s essential that they have good singing voices (and can harmonise) plus can undertake some dance moves to accompany, in particular, the number Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy from Company B. I’ll be getting some expert musical help in to ensure we nail the songs. Singing will form part of the audition process.
- I’m not expecting us to perfect a Blackpool accent during the rehearsal process, but we should aim to get reasonably close. As a general rule it’s softer than a broad Lancashire accent, so that, or even a generic northern accent (not Yorkshire, though), would be a good starting point for the auditions. Some of the male characters don’t have to be from Lancashire so there may be slightly more flexibility here within reason (and clearly the character of Luther is American).
- I’ll be rehearsing three times a week (two in the week and one on Sunday) – days TBA. Rehearsals likely to start mid-October.
- There are a lot of great plays bunched around this slot, so you may already have your eye on something else in the season. Don’t let that preclude you from auditioning for me. The play can be rehearsed in chunks, e.g. within the two timelines, so I can try and work round your schedule if at all feasible. You can always drop me a line ahead of auditions if you’ve been cast in something else to sound me out.
Scripts available from me. Email Jacqueline Clayton with your preferred audition date and we’ll offer you a 15/20 minute slot. Ok, that’s enough chat, here’s the character / role breakdown with some suggested audition pieces.
1976 in order of appearance
Jillian – The youngest Webb sister, still a virgin, who has never left home and consequently been the one to nurse her mother through alcoholism and cancer. Wants nothing more than all the sisters to reconcile. In thrall to Joan, the eldest. Generally submissive but she snaps when pushed. She opens the play in a terrific two-hander with Penny, the nurse. A large / significant role.
Audition pages 11-16, 93-96, 106
Penny – The district nurse assigned to the mother of the Webb sisters. A smaller role but appears in five of the six scenes and will double with Biddy, the housemaid in the 1950s.
Audition pages 11-16
Mr Potts – A small role, though will likely double with Joe Fogg, who has a larger presence as the piano accompanist to the Webb sisters in the 1950s. Must be a piano player (and ideally ukulele too).
Audition pages 16-18
Ruby – The second youngest sister, but closer to Gloria than Jillian. She’s been pretty much absent in her mother’s life since leaving home. A straight talker, though she’s likely to defer to Gloria in an argument. She’s generally making-do in life with her husband Dennis and children but makes light of this in some hugely funny and entertaining moments. A large / significant role.
Audition pages 18-20, 60-63, 102
Patty – Gloria’s daughter – very small role but will double with one of the younger Webb sisters.
Tony – Gloria’s son – also small part and likely to make this a female role and again will double with one of the younger Webb sisters.
Bill – Gloria’s long-suffering husband. A kind of glass-half-full man, always looking to crack a (bad) joke. A smaller role but has some nice comedic moments. Also looking for Bill to be doubled with Mr Halliwell in the 1950s.
Audition pages 87-91
Gloria – The second oldest sister, married to long suffering Bill. She’s another confident, no-nonsense, straight-talker with some absolutely belting lines. Of all the young singing sisters, she was the one least likely to make it in show business. Although estranged from her mother, she’s been aware of her decline through alcoholism. The events 25 years earlier with her sister Joan have left their mark. A large / significant role.
Audition pages 22-24, 63-65, 102-103
Dennis – Ruby’s husband. Knows when to fall in line. Dennis is a small role but there’s a great opportunity to double with Jack Larkin which is a terrific more substantial part in the 1950s as the wisecracking lodger.
Audition pages 87-91
Joan – The eldest. Will she / won’t she turn up from America to visit her dying mother is a key feature of the play – in the West End production the character wasn’t named in the play to add to the suspense and we may do the same. Laid-back and laconic, her version of events from 25 years earlier differs from Gloria’s. Although this is the smallest of the older sisters’ roles, it’s incredibly pivotal and, significantly, there’s a fantastic opportunity to double with Veronica, the mother of the young sisters which I’d be very keen to explore.
Audition pages 94-96, 106-109, 111-112
Dr Rose – A very small part at the end of the play, likely to double with Luther.
1950s in order of appearance
Veronica – The single mother of the Webb sisters. A matriarchal figure who rules with a rod of iron and is determined to see her children succeed as the ‘next Andrews Sisters’. Except the music landscape is changing. How she reacts to this forms the basis of the play’s key moment and the consequent relationship breakdown between her and her elder daughters. An outstanding part and the opportunity to double with Joan in 1976.
Audition pages 35-37, 42-43, 80-84
Young Jillian – The baby of the bunch. A small speaking part but with significant stage time. Must be able to sing (harmonise) and ideally dance. Opportunity to double with Patty / Tony in 1976.
Audition pages 48-51 plus the song Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy from Company B
Young Ruby – A performer. Confident. Again a small speaking part but with significant stage time. Must be able to sing (harmonise) and ideally dance. Opportunity to double with Patty / Tony in 1976.
Audition pages 48-51 plus the song Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy from Company B
Young Gloria – The least convincing performer of the sisters. Veronica is quick to consider ditching her if it helps the other three achieve their dreams. Nonetheless must be able to sing (harmonise) and ideally dance. Possibly play the ukulele! Again, a small speaking part but with significant stage time. Opportunity to double with Patty / Tony in 1976
Audition pages 48-51 plus the song Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy from Company B
Young Joan – Rebellious, sassy and the most talented of the sisters. A more significant role than the other sisters, she will very obviously be the leader / eldest. Features in the most significant scene in the play. Must be able to sing and ideally dance. Opportunity to double with Patty / Tony in 1976.
Audition pages 46-51, 82-83 plus the song Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy from Company B
Joe Fogg – The piano accompanist to the Webb sisters in the 1950s. Must be a piano player (and ideally ukulele too). A small speaking part but with good stage time. Integral to the play. Will double with Mr Potts from 1976.
Audition pages 69, 84-85
Biddy – The housemaid – a very small speaking part but can double with the bigger role of Penny in 1976.
Audition pages – see Penny
Mr and Mrs Smith – Tiny roles as guests – will be picked up by other members of cast / crew.
Mr Halliwell – A small role but features in a laugh-out-loud moment. Played by Shaun Dooley in the West End. Can double with Bill.
Audition pages – see Bill
Jack Larkin – The Sea View’s wisecracking lodger and self-appointed but ineffectual agent for the young girls. Has some great comedy lines. Can double with Dennis.
Audition pages 40-45, 73
Luther – A smallish role but incredibly significant and involved in the biggest scene in the play. Am looking for an imposing actor with a big stage presence to make this scene hit home. American accent required. Likely to double with Dr Rose.
Audition pages 72-73, 80-84
Rob
Director
Blue Heart
Cast and Creatives
CAST (in alphabetical order)
| Heart’s Desire | Blue Kettle | |
|---|---|---|
| Esther Bishop | Susy | Enid |
| Peter Bryans | Lewis | Derek |
| Natalie Gordon | Young Woman | Mrs Vane |
| Suzie Major | Maisie | Mother |
| Jan Palmer Sayer | Official | Mrs Plant |
| Julia Riley | Alice | Miss Clarence |
| Francine Ross | Gunman | Mrs Oliver |
| Danny Swanson | Brian | Mr Vane |
CREATIVES
Director – Steve Thompson
Stage Manager – Sharon Francis
Production Manager / Costumes – Catherine Lambe
Props – Sheila Grimmant
Lighting – John Gardner
Poster and programme – John Cook
Underdog: The Other Other Brontë
Cast and Creatives
CAST
Anne/musician – Julia Arundale
Branwell and ensemble – Jude Kerswill
Charlotte – Lorna Thompson
Emily – Lucy Hanneghan – Birt
Ensemble/musician – Jon Gavaghan
Ensemble – Tania Fish
Ensemble – Matt Gray
Ensemble – Jenna Moore
Ensemble – Em Smith
Ensemble – Amy Walker
CREATIVES
Director – Lou Wallace
Company/Production Managers – Carol Bush and Esther Bishop
Stage Manager – Michael Merry
DSM – Victoria Rive
ASM – Nigel Rive
Set Design – Christine Neal (Charlotte Winston to help)
Costume – Anna Kress, Sarah Haverson, Lou Wallace
Props – Sheila Grimmant, Kris Moore, Barbara Foster
Sound/Music – Rob Wallace
Lighting Design – Simon Wallace
Lighting Op – Finn O’Grady
Prompter – Anne Woolmington
Work experience – Ella Hazell
The Father
Cast and Creatives
Rehearsals are now under way for our October production of The Father by Florian Zeller, directed by Laura Ilinca. One of the most acclaimed plays of recent years, The Father takes audiences inside the mind of André, a man living with dementia, where memories, relationships and reality itself become increasingly uncertain. By experiencing the world through André’s eyes, the play offers a powerful, moving and often unexpectedly funny exploration of identity, family and love.
We are delighted to introduce our cast and crew:
Cast
André – Christopher Wallace
Anne – Sarah Gennoe
Pierre – Tony Cocozza
The Man – Patrick Sunners
The Woman – Paula Hill
Laura – Amy McEwen
Creatives
Director – Laura Ilinca
Stage Manager – Stephen Kahn
Assistant Stage Manager – Gillian Hall
Production Managers – Fiona Carter, Brenda Tomlin
Set Designers – Mel Dixon, Finn O’Grady, Stephanie Dunn
Set Dresser – Kris Moore
Props – Georgie Palmer
Prompt – Stephanie Dunn
Costume – Yvonne Bartlett
Rehearsal Photographer – Stephen Kahn
Dress Photographer – Simon Wallace
The Father will be performed at the Barn from 16th to 24th October. We look forward to welcoming audiences to this compelling and thought-provoking production.
Playing away
Edinburgh Fringe edition!
Having started out at the Barn during my school years and then heading off to study theatre at university, I’m so excited to be back in WGC and at the Barn – however, as well as getting involved with the Barn again, I’m also producing a show at the Edinburgh Fringe this August!
I was lucky enough to come away from university with the best group of friends and collaborators I could have asked for. Having worked together on countless shows (both as part of our studies and as extra-curricular activities at the student theatre, somewhat confusingly also called ‘The Barn’) we’ve set up a theatre company and are doing our debut show, After Careful Consideration, at theSpace@Surgeon’sHall between 24th and 29th August. It’s a play about starting out your adult life without really having a clue what’s going on and wondering if you’re the only person who feels like you’re barely holding it together. If that rings any bells and you happen to be in Edinburgh in the last week of August, please do come along and say hi!
A big part of the play is about wondering whether there’s room for creativity once the responsibilities of adult life start piling up, and being back at the Barn has been a welcome reminder that there is. Having been away for a little while has made me appreciate even more what we have here – not everyone is lucky enough to have access to such a supportive, talented and creative community. It’s a place where people are encouraged to take risks and create work they care about, and that’s definitely something worth celebrating. I’m so happy to be back.
Esther Bishop
Playing away plea
Club News
Season ticket price is just £99.45 for Barn members and only £122.40 for non-members. This covers the main nine shows in the main theatre. However, although this does NOT include Studio productions, as a valued season ticket-holder, you’ll also receive a 15% discount on any additional tickets you book throughout the season including for the Studio..
It’s the perfect opportunity to share the joy of live theatre with friends and family, all at a really great price. If interested please email the box office on [email protected] with your ideal day and we can let you know availability.
Member tickets, new season, new member password
We continue to offer Barn Theatre Club members a lower-price ticket to most performances (excluding the last night). When available, the members’ tickets can be purchased using the password ‘TEAPOT’ from the new season.
Please remember you should only use the members’ password for Barn Theatre Club members’ tickets.
Smoking
A few comments have recently been received by both audience members and club members regarding smoking around entrances and exits to the building. After discussion at Council we have considered ways in which we can accommodate smokers and keep the atmosphere pleasant for all.
At the front of the building, our House Managers will be placing the ashtray at the end of the yellow hatch area allowing smokers to move away from the main doors. We ask those who smoke to respect this and not congregate around the main doors. During times when there is no HM on duty, please take the ashtray from the lobby area to the end of the yellow hatch area.
Smokers at the back of the building: can you please gather in the parking bays outside the workshop and not around any of the doors into the auditorium, stage or green room. We will provide two ashtray bins (one at the back of the building and one at the front). All of the fire buckets around doors are being removed.
We’d like to ask that everyone respects this new arrangement and does not smoke in other areas at any time. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Finally, please remember: smoking, vaping or the use of e-cigarettes is not allowed inside any part of the Barn theatre at any time.
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]
Social Director Lisa Roberts (07917 797712) [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]
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 Steph Dunn (07961 321111) [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
Dates for your diary
Performances
The Full Monty
17th to 26th September at 8pm
Matinee 26th September at 2.30pm
Auditions
The Box of Delights
Sunday 2nd August at 2.30pm in the Studio
Tuesday 4th August at 7.30pm in Room 1
The Hills of California
Sunday 6th September at10.30pm in the Studio
Tuesday 8th September at 8pm in the Studio
Wednesday 9th September at 6pm in Room 1
The Shark is Broken
Sunday 13th September at 3pm
Monday 14th September at 8pm
Wednesday 16th September at 8pm
All in Room 1
Social and Club events
Jazz at the Barn
Friday 11th September at 8pm
Next Council meeting
Wednesday 9th September at 8pm
Members’ password
TEAPOT
Archive submission link
If you have any digital archive items; photos, scans ANYTHING please upload them to the Archive team. Please just click here.