Barn Theatre Cirencester announces details of 2025 BUILT BY BARN season
The Barn Theatre in Cirencester have announced details of the full 2025 Built By Barn season of work, including two musicals: Friends, The Musical Parody and The Last Five Years.
The Barn has partnered with producers Mark Goucher, Matthew Gale and Oskar Eiriksson to create the brand-new production of the previously announced Friends! The Musical Parody from 14 July – 23 August 2025, opening in Cirencester before a major UK and Ireland tour.
With all your favourite moments, plus a runaway bride, and some questionable sandwich habits, this Friends, The Musical Parody serves up nostalgia with a side of sarcasm and lots of OH. MY. GAWD energy!
Directed by The Full Monty’s Michael Gyngell, with a book and lyrics by Bob and Tobly McSmith, music by Assaf Gleizner and set and lighting design by Andrew Exeter, Friends: The Musical Parody is a side-splitting musical comedy packed with all of the iconic moments from all 10 seasons of the beloved television series. Originally produced NY by Theatre Mogul and Lynn Shore, this uncensored, fast-paced romp features an entirely original musical score and showcases the escapades of the world’s most famous group of twenty-somethings as they tackle the challenges of work, life and love in 1990s Manhattan.
The penultimate show of the season will be musical classic The Last Five Years, written by Tony Award winning Jason Robert Brown, playing from 17 October – 15 November.
Journey with Cathy and Jamie as they navigate their marriage, their creative careers and the trials that come with intertwined lives.
The Last Five Years is a musical that cleverly explores the rollercoaster journey of two New Yorkers as they navigate their five-year marriage. Filled with iconic songs, the play first Premiered at Chicago's Northlight Theatre in 2001 and was then produced Off-Broadway in March 2002. In 2014 a film adaptation starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan was released.
CEO & Artistic Director Iwan Lewis said, “Our 2025 season is all about welcoming new audiences to GET HOOKED ON THEATRE and feel the unique thrill of live entertainment. With three world premieres, our new, highly affordable season subscription, and a lineup that spans modern classics to contemporary musicals, we’re opening our doors to everyone. This season isn’t just about showcasing incredible stories; it’s about making theatre as accessible and inviting as a cozy night at home with Netflix.
“I also couldn’t be more thrilled to work alongside the brilliant Tim Stimpson, whose deep connection with The Archers brings an authenticity to Haywire. Having the invaluable support of Jeremy Howe, the editor of The Archers, and the BBC, is a true privilege, and I’m deeply grateful for their trust in the Barn Theatre in telling this story. This production is a labour of love, a celebration of one of the world’s most enduring and cherished dramas. It’s an honour to bring this story to life for audiences and pay tribute to 75 years of laughter, heartache, and community woven into the fabric of British culture.”