Increasingly, we’re developing and presenting shows of a standard that you expect to see in smaller professional venues. In particular, I want to mention Richard III, A Monster Calls, The Crocodile and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, all of which could have sold many more tickets as general audiences and members alike were excited by the acting, staging and production values. I know that some people came to see these shows more than once, and this excitement encourages audiences to come and see what we’re doing next. In addition to these four shows, we had another four sell-out plays in the main auditorium and one in the Studio. The clever mix of plays in the season with crowd-pleasers and less well known plays hopefully gives something for everyone to enjoy.

Artistic excellence is the cause of this success, and we’re able to attract the best directors, actors and creatives, and give opportunities to members who want to be part of the Barn family in whatever way they choose. And like any family, circumstances mean that some people may go for quite long periods of time, but it’s always wonderful when we see them again, or when they’re able to spend more time with us on a regular basis. In many cases, these relationships span decades, with two or three generations of family and friends involved. This is what makes local theatres like the Barn very special.

An example of this occurred at the first Sunday matinee of Dream where the audience welcomed Marjorie Sandiford, who’s 100 years old and was alive when the first open-air Dream production happened in 1925. Marjorie is still involved on a regular basis, coming to sewing on Tuesday mornings in wardrobe and she’s also a season ticket holder. As the recent video prepared by Tea & Biscuits showed, being part of a group or social community really brings benefits to health and well-being.

Together for Welwyn Garden City celebration – 12th July

I mentioned this celebration in last month’s Barn News, and now we’ve received more information from the organisers. We’ll be having a stand inside the Howard Centre on the 12th, so we’re protected from the elements, and we’ll be manning it from 10am to 4.30pm. It will follow the same format as we’ve done previously with two pop-up display units and a stand with production photos and marketing material. It’s also a great opportunity to tell people about next season’s show and hand out leaflets, and possibly also sell them tickets. We’ll also be holding a prize draw to win tickets for a show next season.

However, to be really successful, we do need your help and we’d like volunteers to man the stand, engage with people and talk about your favourite theatre. I’ve already sent an email about this, so if you haven’t yet replied, please contact me on [email protected] and suggest a time you can come along. To keep it simple, let me know which one-hour slot (beginning from 10am) you’d like. We’re very grateful for all and any help.

Members’ Barbecue – 12th July, 6.30pm

After we’ve packed away our stand and display material, our attention then switches to a barbecue at the Barn. The bar will be open for members from 6.30pm. It would be really helpful if you could let me know if you’re coming to the barbecue, so we know how much food to buy and prepare.

I look forward to seeing you at both events if possible.

As part of the Welwyn Garden City celebration, there will be a heritage exhibition in the Howard Centre from 2nd to 12th July. Robert Gill is helping to plan this exhibition and he’s written a piece below about it. We’ll be displaying material about the history of the Barn as well as some costumes, so thanks to Yvonne Bartlett and the wardrobe team for helping out.

I have an update on the project carried out by fashion students at North Herts College, inspired by Shakespeare in Love. The students held an end-of-term event and fashion show of their work on 17th June, and I was lucky enough to attend. Their work demonstrated real talent, and I wish them all well with their future studies in fashion and design. We’re already planning the next collaboration with NHC as well as a visit by local schoolchildren to show them how the theatre works, both to take place in the early part of next season.

Finally, we’re preparing for the usual round of summer works in the Barn, though we’re not truly dark this year as we’ll be hosting a one-week film school and a week of acting summer school. At long last, air conditioning will be installed in the Studio, and we’re hoping to have major clearouts and tidying up in the workshop, props and furniture stores and wardrobe. A Midsummer Night’s Dream involved a huge amount from all departments of the theatre, so now we simply have to remove everything, decide what we want to keep, and take the opportunity to make minor improvements and redecoration once it’s clear.

I might see you in the theatre with a paintbrush or screwdriver.