Award winning St Albans based theatre production company, OVO, has announced it has raised £301k of local investment for its new St Germain’s Barn Theatre project.
Founded in 2003, and having run The Maltings Theatre since 2011 and the Roman Theatre of St Albans since 2014, OVO is set to expand its theatre portfolio with a brand new repertory theatre planned for 2026. The venue will revive the “rep” model, in which a company of actors and creatives is employed to produce a whole season of work over a period of several months.
The new theatre will be housed in the 17th century St Germain’s Barn and St Michael’s Pavilion next to Verulamium Park in St Albans, both of which are currently undergoing restoration plans for their new purpose.
To help fund this renovation project, OVO launched an equity investment round in Summer 2025 to sell shares in the new venture. In the space of just a few months, OVO has over doubled its original target of £150k, attracting 55 investors from the local area and the wider theatre industry.
Having staged over 100 productions over the past 22 years, many of which have been seen at its annual Roman Theatre Open Air Summer Festival (which attracted over 17,000 visitors this summer), OVO’s next ambitious venture is set to create a vibrant, year-round theatre for upcoming theatre talent from a diverse range of backgrounds. It will open up vital opportunities for early career performers, creatives, and crew who might otherwise find it difficult to establish themselves in the industry.
The inspiring project and brainchild of OVO Founder, Adam Nichols, will offer much needed long-term career stability and remuneration to theatremakers, bring fresh versions of classic plays and stories to the stage through two seasons of work each year, and provide a bar and café open to audiences and visitors to the nearby Verulamium Park.
Local supporters have shared their excitement for a new cultural landmark of St Albans, including Bethany Nicholson, from The Odyssey Picture House in St Albans, saying:
“It is so wonderful to hear all the lovely plans OVO has and to see theatre thrive in my home town! The arts are so important and without seeing it on your doorstep first, where it’s most accessible, the next generation will never have the real encouragement to follow their dreams and get involved!”
Ian Keppie, local resident and Barn investor, commented: “I am so excited to support OVO with this amazing and inspiring project! It is great to know so many people believe in OVO.”
The project has been bolstered by the backing of its esteemed industry Patrons Dame Joanna Lumley, Ralph Fiennes, Brian Cox CBE, and Zoë Wanamaker CBE.
OVO Patron, Dame Joanna Lumley, shared her support by saying: “I am heartened to be involved in this worthy initiative, set to bring about real opportunity to so many young, up-and-coming talent from all backgrounds.”
Renovation work is due to begin in early 2026, with the aim of opening the venue with the first company of actors on board towards the end of Summer 2026.
OVO Founder and Artistic Director, Adam Nichols, added: “This project is showing the power of engaging people to invest in and feel ownership of landmark live performance spaces.”
The fundraising campaign continues, and anyone wishing to donate or invest in the new theatre can discover more via the link below.
Photo credit: Simon Knight Architects
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