The Barn Theatre, Cirencester – until 4 October 2020
Reviewed by Josie Smith
5*****
You have to admire the Barn Theatre. While so many things have failed and closed The Barn Theatre has not sat still. When they could not have people in the theatre they produced brilliant online content including Bard from the Barn, when people could be outside they created a wonderful Barnfest, with lots of outdoor performances including The World goes Round which I went to see. Now they have added a new air filtration system, put up Perspex screens, got some thermometers and made a COVID secure theatre.
The Barn theatre, BoxLess Theatre and Take Two Theatricals’ have co- produced a stunning production of Private Peaceful. It is based on the book by Michael Morpurgo, Adapted by Simon Reade & Directed by Alexander Knott with Zöe Grain, the Associate Director & Movement Director
Set during World War 1 it tells the story of Private Tommo Peaceful. He looks back at his life growing up in the countryside, joining the army and how he got to where he is now.
Emily Costello plays Tommo and James Demaine as Charlie his older brother who Tommo admires.
The acting is brilliant and the staging is stunning with clever lighting. There are funny parts, there are sad parts and then very emotional parts. The whole performance was breathtaking.
Private Peaceful is running at the Barn Theatre now until 4 October. To book your tickets visit: https://barntheatre.org.uk/performances/privatepeaceful