Cotswolds’ Barn Theatre to stream free live shows

The Barn Theatre in Cirencester has introduced a new free live-streaming service to entertain and inform during the coronavirus shutdown.

Under the name of Behind the Barn Door, the Barn Theatre in Gloucestershire will be streaming via its Facebook page, with a programme of live shows, education and Q&As.

The first act will be Tweedy the Clown who is known from both the stage and the big top where he performs with Gifford’s Circus. In his show, he will be sending birthday messages to children and giving parents and teachers a break from homeschooling.

Tweedy, aka Alan Digweed, told listeners on BBC Radio Gloucestershire: “So many people suggested I do some sort of online show to help cheer people up and entertain the kids.”

Reflecting the theatre’s position as a community hub, the service also features a live Q&A with local MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown every Friday. Further content is still to be announced.

The theatre, which opened in 2018, has closed along with others across the UK, halting shows such as its new production of Ben Hur. Expecting to lose upwards of £250,000 over the coming months, it has launched a fund-raiser under the banner of Save Our Barn at barntheatre.org.uk/sob. It has been backed by children’s writer Michael Morpurgo whose book The Mozart Question has been adapted for the Barn stage for a run from 20 May to 27 June.

The Barn Theatre has also introduced a “pay a ticket forward” campaign on its website to raise money to thank people in the emergency services working on the front line during the coronavirus pandemic. The funds, which will be matched by theatre, will cover free tickets for them to see a show once the theatre reopens.

For details of timings of streamed shows, keep an eye on facebook.com/theBarnTheatreCirencester/. Information will also be promoted via the theatre’s email lists and Twitter at @theBarnTheatre.