A night at the Barnfield Theatre

I’ve had the privilege of witnessing some truly remarkable live performances, and when it comes to theatre, the West End undeniably sets the gold standard.

My love for theatre extends to the classics, with ‘Les Misérables’ proudly among my experiences, and a growing excitement for the ‘Wicked’ film adaptation. For lack of a better word, my appreciation is bog-standard.

I’d never thought to explore local theatre. My experiences confined to the occasional childhood Christmas pantomime. After attending ‘Bright Places’ at Exeter’s Barnfield Theatre, I’m beginning to wonder what I’ve been missing all this time. 

This Peggy Ramsay Award-winning production, presented by Carbon Theatre, was a masterful blend of humour, vulnerability, and theatrical brilliance. Written by Rae Mainwaring and inspired by her own life with Multiple Sclerosis, ‘Bright Places’ captures the chaos and poignancy of chronic illness with equal measures of glitter and grit.

While I have little personal experience with chronic illnesses, the storytelling allowed me to empathize in a way I hadn’t before. Rooted in human emotion and compassion, the performance made the experience deeply relatable and profoundly understood.

The three performers, Lauren Foster, Aimee Berwick, and Rebecca Holmes, brought Mainwaring’s story to life, portraying different facets of the central character, Louise, while slipping into a variety of supporting roles. 

The play’s innovative storytelling style moved seamlessly from laugh-out-loud moments, like awkward crushes on an attractive doctor, to deeply moving reflections on loss and resilience. All this was backdropped by 90s pop hits, a dazzling costume box, and inventive staging, creating an experience that was as heartfelt as it was visually delightful. 

What made this production especially memorable was its accessibility, incorporating creative captioning and embedded audio descriptions. The performance earned a prolonged applause and a rare double bow - a testament to its impact on the audience. 

Equally captivating was the theatre itself. The warm, welcoming atmosphere of the Barnfield Theatre, paired with its passionate staff and engaged audience, created a sense of community that’s hard to replicate in larger venues. The post-show brochure distribution was a thoughtful gesture, inviting us to delve deeper into the theatre’s offerings. 

Having now experienced the magic of local theatre, I regret not exploring it sooner. This three-women show reminded me that you don’t need the glitz of the West End to find productions that move and inspire you. This was a glittering gem in every sense of the word, and I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on Barnfield Theatre’s upcoming performances.