Welcome to The Barn!
I am delighted to introduce you to the newest member of the OVO family.
The Barn is a beautiful 17th-century, grade two listed threshing barn in Verulamium Park, St Albans, lovingly brought back to life as an atmospheric 120-seat live performance space by OVO.
The Barn doors will open for the first time on 15th October, launching an Autumn Season of site-specific productions staged in our work-in-progress phase, ahead of a full conversion in 2027.
The Barn is the latest example of how we do things differently. We call it Free Range Theatre. And it means we are not constrained by a traditional repertoire and approach. Instead we challenge and reinvent contemporary theatre.
So, if you think you know theatre, think again.
Reflecting the heritage of The Barn, we open with a pair of 17th century stories.
Macbeth – A play that’s as old as the building itself, but with a fresh, urgent and contemporary staging.
The Winding Stair – The world premiere of Jesse Norman’s historical thriller, featuring local boy Francis Bacon.
And we round off the season with A Christmas Carol – our acclaimed festive favourite reimagined for our new home.
The Barn is our new canvas to dare mighty things. We can’t wait to welcome you in.
Adam Nichols
OVO Founder and Artistic Director
Macbeth
By William Shakespeare Presented by OVO Directed by Adam Nichols Returning home from a bloody civil war, the victorious Macbeth...
The Winding Stair
By Jesse Norman Presented by OVO Directed by Adam Nichols Power is shifting. Queen Elizabeth I is dying, James waiting...
A Christmas Carol
by Charles Dickens Presented by OVO Directed and Adapted by Mark O’Sullivan Following four successful years in St Albans, OVO’s...
Enjoy all three productions of OVO’s inaugural season at The Barn – Macbeth, The Winding Stair and A Christmas Carol – with a saving of 20% over individual prices. Just £69 for adults, £35 for under 25s.
About The Barn
Located in historic Verulamium Park, on the site of the ancient Roman city, the Barn has long been in disrepair and is listed on Historic England’s ‘At Risk’ Register. First mentioned in 1649, the building has deep theatrical roots, having been bought by Commodore Henry Killigrew, whose father and uncle were both playwrights and theatre producers in the time of Charles II.
The new theatre will:
Produce a year round performance programme of bold, imaginative and surprising new versions of classic plays and stories.
Host a new permanent repertory company, bringing together established artists and early career performers, creatives, and crew, especially those from under-represented backgrounds.
Provide a bar and café along with spaces for meetings and events.
Patrons
Ralph Fiennes, Dame Joanna Lumley, Brian Cox CBE, and Zoë Wanamaker CBE are the proud patrons of our exciting venture supporting emerging actors, artists and technicians from a diverse range of backgrounds to become the stars of tomorrow.
Support The Barn
Over the past year we have raised £930,000, but our work is not done and we are actively seeking investment to complete the full transformation.
To support us, please visit our Support The Barn page here.