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Excitement mounts for arrival of David Copperfield

Much excitement has fallen over Cirencester's Barn Theatre as it prepares for the opening night of David Copperfield on Thursday, September 30.

In this new actor-musician dramatisation by frequent Barn Theatre collaborator Simon Reade (Private Peaceful, An Elephant in the Garden) with original music by Chris Larner (An Instinct for Kindness, The Barber of Seville), Copperfield is joined by a pair of actor-musicians who take the audience on a vibrant, colourful, magical, journey of musical discovery from the world of toy theatre to the world of David Copperfield.

Simon Reade will reunite with directorial team Alexander Knott & Zöe Grain from BoxLess Theatre, who were behind the critically acclaimed 2020 production of his Private Peaceful stage adaptation.

2020 Royal Central School of Speech & Drama graduate Phillip Olagoke (Farewell Leicester Square) will play the title role of David Copperfield with Rosalind Ford (Gin Craze, Once) as Mr Micawber, Agnes, Little Em'ly (& 17 more) and Reuben Greeph (Little Miss Sunshine, Six) as Uriah Heep, Betsey Trotwood, Mr Peggotty (& 17 more).

The Barn Theatre production, in association with BoxLess Theatre, will also feature design by Tara Usher (Little Baby Jesus, Queen of the Mist) with musical direction by Francesca Fenech, AV design by Charles Flint, lighting design by Sam Rowcliffe-Tanner (Stones in His Pockets, Private Peaceful) and sound design by Harry Smith (The Picture of Dorian Gray, Private Peaceful).

Iwan Lewis, artist director and CEO of The Barn, said of the cast: "The incredibly talented trio would be far better described as 'masters of all' as opposed to 'jacks of all', with their unparalleled talent in singing, playing instruments, dancing and acting. True all round performers.

"The Barn team have been decorating, painting, rehauling and submerging the auditorium in all of the Dickensian wonderment as they work with purpose to bring the magic to the stage in anticipation of curtain time.

"There will never be a lead-up to show time that doesn't fill us all with giddy excitement behind the scenes as the process of bringing you musical theatre in its magnificent splendour comes to fruition before our very eyes."

"Please note that as of this date the auditorium will be back to full capacity, and therefore we will no longer be enforcing social distancing within the theatre.

"All of our staff will continue to wear masks and although it is not mandatory for guests to wear masks, we still encourage all to do so particularly when moving around the bar area and auditorium. We thank you in advance for your cooperation."

David Copperfield runs until October 30 and tickets are available at: David Copperfield - Barn Theatre 

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