FROM THE BARN ARCHIVES

Blue Heart

By Caryl Churchill
Directed by Steve Thompson
27th October 2026 at 8pm

A double dose of surreal surprises.

One of the funniest short plays ever written and a reminder of the savagery that often lies beneath the surface of family life.
Michael Billington, The Guardian.

In the first play, Heart’s Desire, two parents nervously await the arrival of their daughter from Australia. The scene is endlessly repeated with variations both hilarious and shocking: with each ring of the doorbell, Churchill pulls off a surreal surprise.

The second play, Blue Kettle, deals with a reunion of parents and children. Derek poses as the lost biological son of four different women: here Churchill combines experimental techniques with a startling vision of the fragility of family life.

Get Your Tickets

Tue, 27th Oct 2026 at 2.30pm
Wed, 28th Oct 2026 at 8pm
Thurs, 29th Oct 2026 at 8pm
Fri, 30th Oct 2026 at 8pm
Sat, 31st Oct 2026 at 2.30pm
Sat, 31st Oct 2026 at 8pm

auditions

WE HAVE AN OPEN CASTING POLICY:
This means you do not have to be a Barn member to audition for this production!

We always look forward to welcoming new members and you only need to become a member once you get cast in the production or join the Creative Team. Thank you for helping to keep the Barn a vibrant, exciting and creative place!

Audition dates, times and venues

Tuesday 14th July in Room 1
Wednesday 15th July in Room 1

Blue Heart is two short one-act plays – both entertaining and highly engrossing – about parenthood. In the first play a mother, father and aunt are nervously awaiting a daughter’s return form many years abroad. In the second play a man and his girlfriend are involved in an elaborate con – conning old ladies that they are his long-lost mother.

But neither play is quite what it seems. Churchill employs experimental tricks – fragmented time and language – to tell the stories…

Cast

4 women, 2 men (varying ages, from 20 to 70)

If you would like a script please call 07590 565177 or email [email protected]

I prefer to see people individually at audition so please call me to book a time.

Audition dates, times and venues

Tuesday 14th July in Room 1
Wednesday 15th July in Room 1
GOOD LUCK!

CAST & CREATIVE TEAM

Directed by
Steve Thompson

MEDIA & REVIEWS​

One of the funniest short plays ever written and a reminder of the savagery that often lies beneath the surface of family life.
Michael Billington, The Guardian.

DON'T FORGET, COMING UP AT THE BARN SOON​

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

At the Barn we are committed to promoting equality and challenging discrimination in all its forms. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the cast and creative team, regardless of their race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity and will work to prevent any form of discrimination or harassment within our organisation.

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