The Barn Theatre announces further details of 2024 season plans
The Barn Theatre announces further details of 2024 season plans at launch event on Sunday 3 December
The Barn Theatre in Cirencester revealed further details of plans for their 2024 season at a launch event held on Sunday 3 December, as Artistic Director & Chief Executive Iwan Lewis announcing a new direction and strategy for the theatre. From early 2024, the venue will operate more flexibly, and collaborate more with commercial producers and other producing theatres. He revealed that the season will consist of at least five ‘Built by Barn’ productions, and that they have fifteen shows currently in development, with details to be announced in due course.
Iwan Lewis said of their 2024 plans, “Usually we announce six or seven shows every single year, however this year we are adapting and keeping things flexible. Earlier this year I received a call from Bob Benton offering to bring I’m Sorry Prime Minister to the Barn Theatre in the Autumn. The only way we were able to do that was by having a space available there because another show fell through. I’m Sorry Prime Minister then became our biggest selling show ever, close to twice the capacity of every show we’ve staged ever. If we had been fully programmed, we would not have had that space.”
Lewis continued, “The Barn prides itself, and is known in the industry as an organisation that is agile and can adapt to the world and adapt to the situation. From the success of I’m Sorry Prime Minister, producers have since been intrigued in the model of starting their shows in collaboration with the Barn Theatre, and then taking them onwards.”
Bob Benton of Anthology Theatre also took to the stage to talk about their recent successes collaborating with the Barn Theatre saying, “I love this theatre. The Barn wants you to see new works that are born here - expect more world premieres and new work.”
Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel also discussed their future involvement with The Barn and their new play, Room 13, a ghost story, which will have its world premiere at the Barn in autumn next year – with full dates and details to be announced.
The 2024 season will launch with the previously announced world premiere of Toby Hulse & Ross Smith’s play Sherlock Holmes and the Whitechapel Fiend, running from Friday 26 January – Saturday 9 March, with a press performance on Monday 29 January. The production will be directed by Drama Desk Award nominee Adam Meggido (Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical), who co-created and directed the Olivier Award-winning Showstopper! The Improvised Musical and recently received Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle nominations for his direction of the Broadway transfer of Peter Pan Goes Wrong.
The theatre also announced a new initiative called “Everyone Has A Part To Play”, which focuses on encouraging the theatre’s local community to become actively involved in the theatre.
Richard Jones, Head of Sales and Marketing said, “Our aim with this initiative is to mobilise our community and demonstrate that there is a role for all in making this venue a special place for generations to come. This is a celebration and a thank you to you all for your support for the Barn, whether through buying tickets, donations, sponsorship, becoming a patron, business partner, volunteering, or being a Barn Champion.”
Jones continued, “In 2023, over 60,000 people saw a Barn Theatre production. This number has grown significantly in the last 2 years since re opening after Covid. The importance of getting involved and spreading the word cannot be underestimated. That call to a friend, that chat at the dinner table, that poster in a shop window, posting on your social media channel or leaflet through the door… it all helps.”
More information can be found below.
Explore Gloucestershire
12 December 2023
For further information.
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