BARN THEATRE ANNOUNCES FINAL DETAILS OF ITS 2026 BUILT BY BARN SEASON

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET

DIRECTED BY JONATHAN O’BOYLE

MONDAY 15 JUNE – SATURDAY 22 AUGUST

A BUILT BY BARN REVIVAL

THE KING’S SPEECH

FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 7 NOVEMBER

CEO and Artistic Director Iwan Lewis, Executive Director Liam McMullan, and the whole team of the Barn Theatre in Cirencester, are delighted to announce the final two additions to the 2026 Built by Barn season, with Million Dollar Quartet and a Built By Barn revival of The King’s Speech.

Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, Million Dollar Quartet by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, which was first staged at the Barn Theatre in 2022, returns for an extended run this summer from Monday 15 June – Saturday 22 August with a national press night on Thursday 18 June.

On the night of December 4th 1956, four men walked into a recording studio in Memphis and made musical history. Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley were brought together by pure chance for a jam session which would go on to shape the trajectory of rock ‘n’ roll music across the world. 

In the studio egos collide, promises are broken and dreams take shape. As the men navigate ambition, rivalry and fame they create the soundtrack that will define an era. Experience the classic songs – “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Fever”, “Walk The Line”, “Hound Dog” (and many more) – in the thrilling atmosphere of that once-in-a-lifetime event.

Written by David Seidler, The King’s Speech will play at the Barn Theatre between Friday 9 October – Saturday 7 November with a national press night on Tuesday 13 October. 

The world is listening… 

A country on the precipice of another terrible war. An abdicated king. A constitutional crisis. And the only man who can step up and provide hope for the nervous British public is Bertie – a man who is shy, unprepared for monarchy and, worst of all, has a debilitating speech impediment. 

With the future of the monarchy, and Britain itself, on the line, an historic radio address looms over a man who can barely stammer through full sentences. Desperate and out of options, Bertie and his family turn to an unconventional speech therapist from the colonies to turn him into the king Britain can believe in. 

As royal protocol meets unorthodox challenges, what emerges is an unlikely but deeply meaningful friendship. Adapted for the stage from the Oscar-winning film, The King’s Speech blends humour, heart and high stakes in a beloved historical drama about duty, courage and finding one’s voice. 

Full cast and creative teams for both shows will be announced in the coming months.

Tickets for Million Dollar Quartet and The King’s Speech will be available to members on Wednesday 4 March and on General Sale on Friday 6 March via www.barntheatre.org.uk

To celebrate the launch of the Barn Theatre’s full 2026 season, they are offering members the opportunity to purchase tickets for all six shows for the price of five. This once-in-a-season deal is available to book now via www.barntheatre.org.uk

Barn Theatre CEO and Artistic Director Iwan Lewis said “To complete our 2026 season, we’re thrilled to be welcoming back Million Dollar Quartet in a bold, brand-new production that’s bigger, louder and more electrifying than ever. It was a huge hit with our audiences last time, and bringing fresh life to one of the most legendary jam sessions in rock and roll history for a ten-week summer run at the Barn felt irresistible.

Alongside that, we’re incredibly proud to announce a major new revival of The King’s Speech, based on the Oscar-winning story made famous by Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush. Together, these two productions complete a season that celebrates unforgettable live experiences, and we can’t wait to welcome audiences to the full spectrum of work on offer at the Barn in 2026.”