The Herd at the Barn theatre Welwyn Garden City Theatre & Performing Arts

Darkly comic portrait of a family coping with a disabled child while holding the family together... a family that tests the idea of a herd!

British Theatre said: ‘It is a play which could play anywhere – and should. It has insightful and glorious things to say about love, parenting and family – and it is fiendishly funny to boot.’
Carol is organising a 21st birthday party for her severely disabled son, Andy. But herding her disjointed family together brings a host of challenges in Kinnear’s enthralling play. By turns darkly comic and heart-rending, tough and tender, The Herd reveals the struggles of coping with a disabled child while try to hold a family together – a family that tests the idea of a herd instinct. The play draws on Kinnear’s experiences as the sibling of a severely disabled older sister.
This production is directed by Jon Brown, who read the play in 2024 and instantly knew it was a play he wanted to direct. ‘The Herd is a play with a lot of love in it’ he says. ‘There’s a lot to unpack; comedy, drama and a dash of poetry – something for everyone.’ Jon is very much hoping the audiences take away something from what they see; whether it’s relatability, the power of forgiveness, the importance of compassion at times, or simply to act as a reminder of the importance of family and coming together as a team. Jon adds, 'you have the audience for one night, so I am hoping we’ll deliver a snippet of life that is familiar to us all in some way, big or small, and that can remind us of how fragile life can be at times'. Becky Done, having made her acting debut at the Barn last season, is helping Jon bring his vision to life as the production’s Assistant Director.
The cast of six includes some familiar faces at the Barn, as well as two new ones. Carol, is played by Alison Downes, who first appeared at the Barn in 2015. Her most recent role was her outstanding performance as Mrs Sowerberry in last season’s Oliver!. Hannah Humbles, who has performed in many Barn productions, and who made her directorial debut with Oliver!, plays Claire, Andy’s older sister. The Barn is welcoming two new members for this production, Joseph Cassidy, playing Mark, and Mark Snelling, playing Ian. Maureen Davies and Ian Colpitts take on the delightful roles of the grandparents.
The Herd runs at the Barn Theatre from Friday 19 to Saturday 27 September, evenings 8pm, matinee 2.30pm. Tickets cost £16 from Barn Theatre box office on 01707 324300 or online at www.barntheatre.co.uk

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