The Barn Theatre to re-open for live indoor performances with Michael Morpurgo’s Private Peaceful

The Barn Theatre in Cirencester has been at the forefront of providing us with our stagey fix during lockdown with their streamed concerts celebrating British musical theatre composers. In good news today, however, they have announced that they will be re-opening for live indoor theatre performances on 10 September with the transfer of Private Peaceful. 

The production will play in the venue's main auditorium after a sell-out run at BarnFest, their outdoor festival, last month. 

Based on the modern classic by Michael Morpurgo, Private Peaceful will run from 10 – 27 September. 

Morpurgo visited the production during its BarnFest run for an exclusive post-show Q&A and said: “It was extraordinary, very moving and utterly committed. It didn’t feel like a play at all. It felt like they were telling a story that they really cared about. Really great acting, top notch”.

Private Peaceful will be performed by Emily Costello and James Demaine, directed by Alexander Knott with sound design by Harry Smith and lighting design by Sam Rowcliffe-Tanner.

The Barn Theatre will run at a reduced capacity with Perspex screens being placed between groups with a new seating layout to ensure social distancing measures are adhered to. The theatre has also announced that they have a new and upgraded air filtration system, which exceeds governing guidelines, to ensure the experience is the safest the theatre can provide. The cast and creative team will also adhere to government guidance on social distancing and temperature checks.

The safety measures that were successfully utilised during BarnFest, including temperature checks on arrival, mandatory masks for all patrons over 11 years old, staggered arrival times, sanitisation of public areas and hand sanitiser at entrance and exit points will continue for indoor theatrical performances.

Artistic Director, Iwan Lewis, said: “It's time to get theatre back indoors and safety is our number one priority! Our team have adapted incredibly to provide the safest possible theatrical experience over the Summer with our outdoor theatre festival BarnFest. Having seen the overwhelming responses from both audience members and critics on how safe and enjoyable their visits were, we are confident that we can replicate and further the same experience indoors. It is fundamental that we maintain this high standard when welcoming our audience members indoors for the first-time following lockdown.”

For more information and to book tickets, please click here.