Dame Joanna Lumley Backs Opening of OVO’s New Venue, The Barn
OVO brings Free Range Theatre to historic 17th-century barn in St Albans, opening with Macbeth this October.
Dame Joanna Lumley, Patron of St Albans based professional theatre company OVO has shared her excitement at the opening of its new theatre in St Albans, The Barn.
Lumley said: “I’m absolutely delighted to see The Barn announce its opening season. This beautiful, atmospheric new space will be a worthy home for bold, imaginative and inspiring theatre that challenges convention and excites audiences.”
With the support of Joanna and its other Patrons, including Ralph Fiennes, Brian Cox CBE, and Zoë Wanamaker CBE, and having raised nearly £1 million 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 doors 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.
Dame Joanna Lumley added: “The Barn’s new repertory company will provide a crucial training and development opportunity for emerging actors, creatives and crew building a career in the theatre industry, especially those from under-represented backgrounds. I’m looking forward to seeing the amazing work produced by The Barn.”
Curated especially for the space, the inaugural Autumn/Winter 2026 season features:
Macbeth by William Shakespeare (15 October – 8 November 2026). A play that’s as old as the building itself, but with a fresh, urgent and contemporary staging.
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 Hertfordshire.
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 Range Theatre. And it means we are not constrained by a traditional repertoire or approach. Instead we challenge and reinvent contemporary theatre.”
Tickets for all productions are on sale now at ovo.org.uk, with Autumn/Winter Season Tickets offering exceptional value for audiences wishing to experience all three productions at The Barn.
Main Image: Joanna Lumley, credit to Gemma Levine_Getty Images
Editor's Note: At StageLync, an international platform for the performing arts, we celebrate the diversity of our writers' backgrounds. We recognize and support their choice to use either American or British English in their articles, respecting their individual preferences and origins. This policy allows us to embrace a wide range of linguistic expressions, enriching our content and reflecting the global nature of our community.
🎧 Join us on the StageLync Podcast for inspiring stories from the world of performing arts! Tune in to hear from the creative minds who bring magic to life, both onstage and behind the scenes. 🎙️ 👉 Listen now!
