We are delighted to announce our inaugural season at our new venue in Verulamium Park, The Barn.
With the support of patrons including Ralph Fiennes, Dame Joanna Lumley, Brian Cox CBE, and Zoë Wanamaker CBE, and having raised nearly £1m from investors, the 17th-century Grade II listed threshing barn is being lovingly brought back to life as an intimate, 120-seat performance space. With a full conversion planned for completion in 2027, the barn door will open this autumn to present a series of site-specific productions staged in its ‘work-in-progress’ phase.
The season embodies OVO’s distinct theatrical ethos, combining bold productions of classic stories with unconventional performance spaces to create intimate and unique experiences for audiences.
Adam Nichols, Founder and Artistic Director of OVO, comments, “The Barn is OVO’s new canvas to dare mighty things. It’s the latest example of how we do things differently. We call it Free-RangeTheatre. And it means we are not constrained by a traditional repertoire or approach – preferring to challenge and explore what constitutes modern day theatre. So, if you think you know theatre, think again.”
Curated especially for the space, the inaugural Autumn/Winter season features:
Macbeth by William Shakespeare (15 October – 8 November 2026) – Shakespeare’s dark thriller will be intimately and intensely staged inside the timber-framed barn.
The Winding Stair by Jesse Norman (13 – 15 November 2026) – On the 400th anniversary of his death, this powerful new work will explore the life of Sir Francis Bacon, a stone’s throw from his final resting place.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (4 – 30 December 2026) – OVO’s acclaimed festive favourite will be reimagined for The Barn, retaining the immersive promenade style that has made it a staple of the Christmas season in St Albans.
Tickets for all productions are on sale now, with Autumn/Winter Season Tickets offering exceptional value for audiences wishing to experience all three productions at The Barn.