Continuing our series on Cirencester’s new Barn Theatre and its inaugural production of The Secret Garden, which starts previews tonight (16 March 2018) ahead of an officially opening on Monday, we’ve had tingles down the spine watching this speech that actor-turned-artistic director Iwan Lewis gave to local business leaders last year, laying out his vision for the venue as a creative hub in the Cotswolds and the transformational power of theatre for a community. Scroll down for more interviews with Iwan – find out why he swapped the boards himself for the opportunity and how the Park Theatre’s Jez Bond inspired him…
Local community and youth theatre have thrived at the Barn Theatre’s address in historic Cirencester in the heart of the Cotswolds for over 30 years. But the site has now been taken to a new level as a professional, producing house, aiming to bring West End quality and talent to Gloucestershire.
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A labour of love, the Barn Theatre was started by Ian Carling and his wife Chrissie, who, without any public subsidy, have invested £4.5 million as part of a three-year renovation of the building, a former 1940s Nissen hut.
The result is a state-of-the-art complex with a 200-seat air-conditioned auditorium and orchestra pit, studio rehearsal suite, dressing rooms and green room as well as the adjacent Teatro piano bar and 60-seat restaurant, with its mouth-watering menu that has already attracted a legion of food-loving fans.
Its inaugural production is a fresh new, folk-influenced take on Tony Award-winning family musical The Secret Garden, based on the classic 1911 children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It’s directed by Dominic Shaw and features a 12-strong ensemble of actor-musicians.
Simon Fearn: Former actor Iwan Lewis enjoyed a string of leading roles before he moved to rural Cirencester to build a new venue – the Barn Theatre.
“I realised my passion wasn’t really being on stage and performing – and I think I can do more for this industry by doing something different. I was inspired by Jez Bond at the Park Theatre in London.”
From stage to screen and now behind-the-scenes. SoGlos speaks with actor Iwan Lewis as he takes on his latest role – artistic director of Gloucestershire’s most exciting new theatre.
“We have a fundamental belief that everything has to be born out of a creative place. So, this isn’t just a place that’s here to be rented for other people who are being incredibly creative.”
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MyTheatreMates works with a select number of high-quality London and regional productions on Featured Content campaigns. If you'd like your show content featured on our website and social media channels, contact us.