Middle Ages barn hosts new production of Macbeth

A 15th Century barn that once housed Civil War prisoners is preparing to host an "atmospheric" production of Macbeth.

As part of the Wells Theatre Festival, the local council is trying to find ways of turning the Bishop's Barn into a regular performance space in the future.

The Grade I-listed venue will seat about 110 audience members when the Shakespeare play opens on the 21 June.

The cast and creatives of the show said the hall, which has recently had a small revamp, is the "perfect" place to hold what is considered to be Shakespeare's bloodiest play.

Philip Welch, who is chairman of the committee which looks after the hall and the recreation ground outside, said he wants to see a future for the venue after it was returned to the local council.

"There was a chap who auditioned to come here once but he was rejected - his name was Elton John," he said.

"We're now looking at a vision for the future - what to do with it.

"I think some sort of entertainment centre, that's the way forward, but there's a bit of work to be done here, but it's a wonderful venue."

He added the key is encouraging people to use the venue and make it into a sustainable business.

For director Roz Johnson, directing Macbeth in the hall has been an ambition of hers for some.

She told BBC Radio Somerset her theatre troupe had mostly done comedies during the popular festival, and mostly outside.

"We kept on coming back to Macbeth but you can't do Macbeth outside... and when we heard the barn was getting a bit of a revamp, that was it for me," she said.

"It's dark, and it's old, and we can really get the effects we need for Macbeth."

Ms Johnson also praised her group of community actors, some of which had gone to great lengths during rehearsals.

Local Lee Housely, who is playing the titular King, showed off his plastered hand, which he managed to cut during one of the swordfights.

But despite the injury, his Macduff, Martin Jessop, said he was "looking forward to wielding a sword around" the building.

Mr Housely added: "The wooden beams above us and the thick wall and the stone cladding makes for such an atmosphere. It's perfect for Macbeth."

Wells Theatre Festival runs from 20 June until 23 June.

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