Once again, Boxed Up Events will be rattling the rafters of the magnificent 13th century Great Barn in Great Coxwell with an exciting programme of five star touring theatre, internationally acclaimed musical artists, and interactive family shows to thrill, activities to get you creating and guests to bring the heritage and landscape of the historic grange to life.
There is a warm welcome for everyone among the harvest landscape, an entirely relaxed and inclusive programme, and a perfect soundtrack to end your summer. Great Barn Festival is once again sure to become a halcyon weekend to remember.
Organisers are inviting local performers of all ages and abilities to share their four stages with artists who have commanded audiences in some of the nation’s finest theatres and headlined at some of the country’s biggest festivals.
Great Barn Festival offers something a little different than other festivals. As the sun sets over the fields, the barn lights are dimmed, creating an intimate and informal limited ticket gig with a performer you may be more used to seeing from the middle of a crowd of thousands. Sing and dance along to songs you know from their original writers or performers. Keep up to date on the website and social media for announcements and limited release tickets.
Once again and by popular demand the Festival will host The Three Inch Fools with a hugely talented and inventive cast of fine musician actors with a new production of The Secret Diary of Henry VIII or how to keep your head in the Tudor court. The quick changes, musical dexterity and general mayhem of The Three Inch Fools is a delight to the grounds of many of the country’s finest stately homes and castles over the summer months. They close this year’s tour with a Sunday matinee for all the family and an invitation to stay on after the show as the Great Barn Festival closes with some exceptionally fine folk as the night draws in.
Saturday is a go all out day, between the music you will still hear the bird call and the cattle in neighbouring fields, there is always space to pull up a bale or enjoy the calm of the countryside. Always something unexpected, something to discover or try your hand at. The National Trust will join in with tours and activities. Get involved in family STEM learning on alternative energy, biodiversity and ecology. Take an art class or try a new craft from woodworking to crochet. Perfect for families who may find approaching the arts in a more conventional setting a little difficult. Give the team a call and they will try to accommodate any special needs as best they can. From the classical recitals to the high energy circus skills sessions, community choirs for all abilities to masters of their instruments with the platinum discs and radio play to prove it, silent discos to carefully choreographed stage craft, plays and storytelling for all ages. All performances are welcoming spaces to become part of the nicest little festival around.
Everyone loves to see a happy family at the barn. The kids tent is bursting at the seams with stories, poetry and song, making and crafting, pulling shapes in the silent disco and exploring the history and natural world around us. Aside from a battery pack to run the silent disco the kids tent is entirely tech free. Expect sticky fingers, muddy knees and happy faces. The kids tent is designed to get imaginations firing, feet tapping and sleep at bedtime almost guaranteed.
Last year the Box Office sold out advanced tickets for our headliners and were only able to accept a few extra ticket sales to guests arriving on foot on the day. Over the three days they see thousands of visitors come to see hundreds of performers. Some stay for an hour to take in a show, some stay for a day and more than ever some return year on year and stay for the weekend.
“This was our first barn fest, and we’re only sad we waited so long! We loved it. The nature play, the story tellers and entertainers. The elf show. Getting the children to see theatre in a minimal pressure environment was wonderful.”
“Thank you so much for a fabulous weekend. The variety of artists was great, and they were all amazingly talented. I loved that the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed and lots for families with youngsters to do and stalls to wander around and look at. It was a perfect weekend, thank you!”
If you are interested in performing or exhibiting, selling quality crafts or artworks or if you would like to volunteer some of your time as a Festival Friend (there are perks) contact us at info@boxedupevents.co.uk.
Boxed Up Events, organises of this incredible Festival, receive support from Arts Council England. They also, whenever possible, support a variety of local charities as best they can. So, do please save the date and keep up to date with ticket releases and news of upcoming headline performances at greatbarnfestival.com.
For ticket advice or enquiries about access or local amenities drop Boxed Up Events a note to boxoffice@greatbarnfestival.com.
FRIDAY 13 – SUNDAY 15 SEPTEMBER
