A Welwyn Garden City theatre is embracing the latest web technology with its first live-streamed show.
In a December when theatres across the borough are dark and Christmas will be a bit different, to say the least, the Barn Theatre is taking exciting first steps into Zoom theatre, with live performance delivered right into people’s living rooms.
The subject of the experiment will be The Best Man, by local award-winning poet and playwright Glyn Maxwell.
Danny Swanson, well known for his fine performances on the Barn stage, collected glowing reviews when he took the show to Edinburgh in 2004.
The Scotsman wrote: “Glyn Maxwell’s poetic verse is a work of art in itself and is coupled with Swanson’s precise and passionate delivery.”
In this one-hander, Bailey is the eponymous best man. His best mate and boss, Addy, is the groom – but this is not the speech that Addy was expecting to hear.
Bailey discovered more than he bargained for when hunting for stories for his best man speech – and is more than happy to fill the congregation in on all the details.
The guests want to leave, but Bailey presents an explosive reason for them to stay: a tale of love, revenge and cheating, with a sting.
Swanson is delighted to have the opportunity to reprise the role on home turf – literally.
Due to COVID restrictions, he is currently rehearsing in his dining room.
He said: “I feel like I’m meeting up with a friend I thought I’d left behind 17 years ago. But I get him now.
“I weirdly like the masochistic line learning that goes with a one-man show.
“The dialogue is beautifully written and I get Bailey – all the love and hope and disappointment.
“It’s a tale for all ages. How we strive to be better and learn from the mistakes from our past. Haunting and hopeful because finally he does the right thing and stands up to injustice.”
Barn artistic director Clive Weatherley knows the creative and technical teams are at the top of their game.
He said: “We have a very skilled and experienced team of writers, directors, camera and lighting men, whose combined skills will keep audiences entertained while we wait for that wonderful day when we can all gather again in the foyer.”
The Best Man will be streamed for four nights from the Barn Studio from Thursday, December 10 to Sunday, December 13 at 8pm, for donations starting at £10.
Don’t miss the Barn Theatre’s first live online production. It’s not recorded – it’s live theatre that’s open to all to watch online.
To book your place, go to www.barntheatre.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here