Under the team of professional directors, producers, writers and actors The Barn Theatre is just about to end its inaugural season with their third production The Rise and fall of Little Voice. Based on the award-winning play and film this production provides another refreshing twist on an acclaimed classic following on from the theatre’s previous productions of The Secret Garden and One Minute - both of which The Ocelot has been delighted to attend. [caption id=“attachment_36273” align=“aligncenter” width=“728”]
Jaimie Pruden (Lily Craven) in The Secret Garden[/caption] You’d think that having started from the ground up that it could be a slow start onto the theatre scene for The Barn Theatre, but as I found out it’s quite the opposite. Within their first three shows the theatre is demonstrating relentless versatility through story choice, limitless creativity with set design, and a desire to enrich Cirencester’s cultural scene through thought-provoking theatre. I don’t think I only speak for myself when I say I’m looking forward to The Rise and fall of Little Voice and what this dynamic team have coming up next. [caption id=“attachment_38677” align=“aligncenter” width=“729”]
Garry Summers and Sarah Hanly in One Minute at The Barn Theatre[/caption] Ahead of opening night for The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, The Ocelot spoke to the play’s leading actors Michael Strassen and Sarah Louise Hughesin for an insight into what to expect from the closing show of The Barn Theatre’s inaugural season. 
What drew you to audition for The Rise and Fall of Little Voice? SH: The director came to my showcase and invited me to audition for the show. However, I did know the play as I had used the final monologue for my auditions for drama school. It’s always lovely when directors bother to come and see graduation talent. The story is a classic in both film and theatre – what will this production be doing to breathe fresh life into it? MS: I think society contact wise has shifted a lot since it was written. I think audiences will more readily identify with Little Voice’s grief and trauma. This isn’t the story about a shy girl who happens to be able to sing like Judy Garland, this is a story about a young woman trying to find a voice within the pressure cooker of her home environment. Has this rendition of the play taken a classic or contemporary approach? MS: I have set the play firmly when it was written. Any addition of modern Internet or other social pressures would I think change Little Voice’s story profoundly. Isolation here is the key. SH: I think that if we set the play now Little Voice would have her own YouTube channel, and have the added pressure of internet trolls, so I think that it is important to set the show pre-internet. Do you have an extensive history in theatre? In comparison to other mediums why have you chosen to take to the stage? MS: Theatre is the most vital of the arts. There is nothing like a live theatre audience to let you know how you are doing. SH: I have just signed with an agent who deals in film, TV and theatre. I can’t think of a better platform than live theatre to start my career. Why should people come and see The Rise and Fall of Little Voice? SH: Please come and let me know whether or not I have made the right career choice [laughs]! MS: I can guarantee belly laughs at the antics of this dysfunctional family but also a few tears, hopefully. It is a very emotional piece. It’s the closing show to the inaugural season! How are you feeling about the production? MS: I think it is the perfect choice to close the season. The Rise and Fall of Little Voice has every theatrical element in it, joy, laughter, tears, and maybe a little lesson for us all. It has been a diverse season. I think ‘The Rise and Fall of Little Voice’ sits somewhere between ‘The Secret Garden’ and ‘One Minute’. The Rise and Fall of Little Voice will be on at The Barn Theatre from July 7 to August 4. For further information and to buy tickets visit www.barntheatre.org.uk