Barn Theatre Opens Its Doors to Visiting Companies in 2026
The Barn Doors Are Open – New Initiative for Visiting Companies at The Barn Theatre
From 2026, the Barn Theatre in Cirencester will extend its stage beyond its acclaimed in-house productions to welcome a select number of Barn Visiting Productions — companies whose creative work aligns with the theatre’s vision for accessible, high-quality storytelling.
In addition, the unsubsidised Barn Theatre is launching Barn Supported Partnerships, a scheme designed to support producers and theatre-makers who can benefit from the Barn’s producing infrastructure. Whether nurturing new work or offering a launchpad for future touring productions, this initiative provides an opportunity for creative collaboration to flourish in Cirencester.
Since opening in 2018, the Barn Theatre has established itself as a leading producing house, with several homegrown productions transferring to regional and national stages. Recent highlights include I’m Sorry, Prime Minister (West End 2026, starring Griff Rhys Jones), A Role To Die For (London 2025), Friends: The Musical Parody (UK Tour 2025/26), and Haywire, developed in partnership with the BBC (UK Tour 2026).
The new initiative aims to diversify the annual programme while maintaining the high production standards for which the Barn is renowned.
Barn Creative Producer Anthony Houghton said, “We’ve had the privilege of working with so many talented artists and companies over the years. Opening our doors in this new way allows us to build on those relationships and support even more exciting work. We’re keen to hear from companies who share our aim of making entertaining work with popular appeal. So, if that sounds like you, we’d love to chat.”
For enquiries, contact: Anthony Houghton – programming@barntheatre.org.uk
The model will run alongside the theatre’s Built by Barn productions, led by CEO and Artistic Director Iwan Lewis, whose focus remains on developing transferable, tour-ready productions for both regional and commercial stages.
Explore Gloucestershire
9 November 2025
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