My Tuesday treat at the Barn Theatre

What a treat I had last night (a Tuesday school night!) Going to the Barn Theatre in Cirencester to watch yet another incredible story by Michael Morpurgo adapted by Simon Reade and acted out on stage by very talented actors.

Waiting for Anya is another war story by the writer of War Horse and, although it is heavy-going at times, it captures all the emotions of the people affected by the German occupation of France.

On one hand, you have the French family of sheep farmers, where the father leaves the safety of the farm to go to war, is captured and becomes a prisoner of war only to return home later to find his father and young son helping Jewish children escape across the border to Spain.

Michael Morpurgo explores the emotions of the Jewish mother and son who are helping the children escape across the border and their need to keep their religion and their existence secret. It is the Jewish son, who is waiting for Anya - his daughter that disappeared two years previously. He desperately hopes that she will be helped back to her home by a courageous soul like himself.

Everything changes when the Germans take up residence in the village and make random searches throughout the villagers' homes and farms. But despite the Germans' need to obey orders and keep 'the enemy' in check, an unlikely friendship begins between one of the German soldiers and the young shepherd son secretly working to help Jewish children.

The story is one that Michael Morpurgo heard some years ago from a French lady in a village where Michael and his wife were staying after attending the marriage of their son.

He thought it "was an extraordinary story here, in this beautiful, peaceful place." There and then he made up his mind to write this story about the courage that was shown knowing full well that capture meant certain death.

As well as the book by Michael Morpurgo, this story was made into a film and is now getting its world premiere at the Barn Theatre as a play.

The Barn Theatre has managed to create an atmosphere on a small stage of the huge space of a French village, a sheep farm, mountains and the sights and sounds of war. Improvising with everyday props, you can actually believe that an old metal bucket is actually a mother bear scavenging for food for her bear cubs and a pair of long-handled shears is an eagle flying over the meadows.

The Barn Theatre is so good at making you believe that these mundane items are actually something they are not!

And a play on stage at The Barn Theatre would not be complete without rousing, feel-good music. Rousing, traditional Jewish melodies as sung in the Synagogue as well as the patriotism of the French farmers singing the "La Marseillaise" French national anthem with music played on the guitar and accordian.

Waiting for Anya is on at the Barn until 5th May. I would thoroughly recommend booking your seat now. I went last night (a Tuesday) and the auditorium was almost full. Don't miss this incredible play.

Find out more at www.barntheatre.org.uk or call the Box Office on 01285 648255.

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