5 – 9 August

Bristol-based theatre company Riddlestick Theatre are returning to The Wardrobe Theatre for a summer run of their new musical comedy, Barleycorn, inspired by English folk songs, 1970s folk horror films and the good old British pub. The company have previously visited The Wardrobe Theatre with their “riotously funny” (The Guardian) Fringe hit The Cabinet of Madame Fanny Du Thé, their Shakespearean cabaret FOOLS, and their festive extravaganza Undercover Christmas Club, which was described as “evening of wonderful variety” by Bristol 24/7 and a “joyful and fun-filled production” by Backstage Bristol. 

Set in the fictional South West village of Hopley Drew, audiences are invited to join the locals in The Barleycorn Inn for their annual Harvest Show (which is taking place in the pub because everywhere else is flooded). Some say that the non-stop rain is due to a mysterious curse, but others say the show must go on, soggy crops or not. Barleycorn features live music, plays-within-plays and morris dancing, and the audience are welcome to get involved with sing-alongs, games and even a raffle. With hints of The Wicker Man, Hot Fuzz, This Country and Grand Designs, this is a show for anyone who’s ever lived in, visited or even just passed through a slightly peculiar English village.

Since forming in 2016 after graduating from the University of Bristol, Riddlestick Theatre have always been inspired by folk culture and performance, touring UK venues and festivals in the style of a travelling troupe and often incorporating Mummers’ plays and folk music into their work. Co-Artistic Directors Kate Stokes and Thomas Manson were inspired to write Barleycorn after attending various folk customs around the country such as apple tree wassailing in Taunton, The Haxey Hood in North Lincolnshire, The Hunting of the Earl of Rone in Combe Martin, Devon, The Sidmouth Hobby Horse trials and the May Day Morris Dance-outs on Brandon Hill, Bristol – where they watched an array of local Morris dancing sides gloriously dance the sun up to welcome in the summer. The show celebrates how such customs bring communities together and highlights the importance of social spaces like the village pub.

7.30pm (plus 2pm on Saturday)

The Wardrobe Theatre, The Old Market Assembly, 25 West Street, Old Market, Bristol, BS2 0DF

Photography credit: Danny Connaire