INTERNATIONAL bestselling author Sir Michael Morpurgo has issued a plea to save the Barn Theatre.

Sir Michael Morpurgo the author of War Horse and Private Peaceful, has written to supporters of the Barn Theatre in Cirencester, pleading for support as the theatre launches their save our barn campaign.

Morpurgo, already a significant supporter of the theatre, said: “It is a brave little theatre that has in just a short time become the cultural hub of Cirencester”.

On March 18, the theatre announced all their productions, including the world premiere of Vicki Berwick’s stage adaptation of Sir Morpurgo’s The Mozart Question, would be postponed until further notice.

The decision was made due to government guidelines around Covid-19 and in response to the Prime Minister’s statement, asking the public to avoid these venues.

Since launching in 2018, the Barn Theatre has gained national recognition by producing 12 Built By Barn shows to upwards of 80,000 audience members and being awarded The Stage Awards’ Best Fringe Theatre of the Year Award 2019.

Their contribution to the local community stretches further than just the theatre with large scale outreach programmes, school workshops and collaborative projects around the centenary of the First World War, the ‘record-breaking’ Cirencester Human Poppy, and The Cirencester Advent Festival that have enhanced the well-being of the community and draw thousands of visitors to the town.

Read the full letter below:

"To all of you who love the Barn.

"The show must go on!

"So, all theatres are closing. The wonderful Barn as well. And if we do not do something about it, the Barn may never open again.

"This brave little theatre has in just a short time become the cultural hub of Cirencester. Productions have always been varied, inventive, entertaining, dazzling, with wonderful theatre for everyone.

"I was there when the new season was launched, every play extraordinary in its own way. I remember how brilliant was the adaptation last year of my book The Butterfly Lion, and this season it was going to be a new play by a young writer, Vicki Berwick, of The Mozart Question. Typical of the Barn it was to be a play made by new young talent.

"But that play and all the others are now on hold. A season cut so tragically short will cost about £250,000. So we need your help now, to keep your theatre going until we can open the doors to you all again. The show must go on! Please help it to happen.

"All the best to you and the Barn.

"See you in Cirencester! At The Mozart Question!

"Best wishes,

"Sir Michael Morpurgo."