The Barn Theatre announces outdoor theatre festival

The Barn Theatre in Cirencester has announced the launch of their first Summer outdoor theatre festival, BarnFest.

The outdoor theatre festival, will run from 25 July until 5 September within the grounds of Ingleside House adjacent to the theatre.

The festival will feature performances from West End and television stars including Natasha Barnes, Rosie Day and Aaron Sidwell.

Iwan Lewis, Artistic Director, The Barn Theatre said: “We’re back! I am absolutely delighted to announce that the Barn Theatre, under unprecedented circumstances, is launching its very first outdoor theatre festival, BarnFest.

“Since the government statement allowing outdoor theatre to take place just over a week ago, the team have worked tirelessly to bring together a month-long programme of events featuring everything from children’s entertainment to Shakespeare. So, there’s something for all the family.

“I’d like to assure everyone thinking of attending that your safety has been paramount in planning this event. All precautions have been taken to ensure you enjoy a safe and friendly festival environment and we cannot wait to have our audiences back at the Barn.”

Visit barntheatre.org.uk for more information and tickets.

Shows making up the festival include:

Tweedy: Al Fresco! The clown, who over lockdown starred in the Barn Theatre produced online series Tweedy’s Lost & Found, will bring his new 60-minute show outdoors for two performances at 1pm and 4pm on 25th and 26th July.

Funny Gals: A History of Women Being Hilarious In Musicals Natasha Barnes and Vikki Stone star in their musical mashup exploring the comedy music written for women in musical theatre from 5th to 8th August.

The Wind in the Willows will run 10th to 15th August

The Emperor’s New Clothes will run 17th to 22nd August

The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle will run 24th to 28th August

Instructions For A Teenage Armageddon Rosie Day, who starred in the Golden Globe award-nominated television series Outlander, stars from 10th to 15th August.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Presented by new theatre company SCOOT Theatre, this re-imagined production is a 60-minute retelling set within the world of cricket, features a cast including past Barn Theatre actors Aaron Sidwell (EastEnders, Henry V) and Max Hutchinson (The Woman in Black, The 39 Steps). Running from 29th to 30th July.

Private Peaceful Simon Reade’s play adaptation of Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo, directed by Alexander Knott, will run at BarnFest from 17th to 22nd August.

The World Goes ‘Round – A new production of the Kander & Ebb musical revue will complete the run as part of BarnFest from 24th August to 5th September. The new co-production with Piers Cottee-Jones features songs from Kander & Ebb’s greatest works including Chicago, Cabaret and Kiss of the Spider-Woman.