The Barn Theatre in Cirencester has revealed the first details of its 2026 Built By Barn season, which opens with the world premiere stage adaptation of Men Behaving Badly: The Play.
Written by Simon Nye, the original creator of the hit TV series, and directed by Joseph O’Malley, Men Behaving Badly: The Play will run from Friday 30 January to Saturday 7 March 2026, with a national press night on Tuesday 3 February.
Set on New Year’s Eve 1999, the play reunites Gary, Tony, Dorothy and Deborah as they prepare for a wedding against the backdrop of Y2K. Expect pints, fireworks, and plenty of bad behaviour as the beloved characters return to where the TV series left off.
Director Joseph O’Malley said:
“I’m delighted to be joining Simon Nye in bringing one of Britain’s best loved comedies to the stage for the first time. The misadventures of Gary, Tony, Dorothy and Deborah have always held a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to bring these much-loved characters to a 2026 audience. To me this show is a celebration of friendship, of the 90s and of the healing power of sitting on a sofa with people you love and talking absolute rubbish. Less doomscrolling and social media anxiety, more real human interaction and, of course, bad behaviour!”
The creative team includes set and costume designer Alfie Heywood, associate costume designer Denise Cleal, sound designer Amanda Priestley, and casting director Marc Frankum.
Later in the year, the Barn will present a bold new revival of Stiles and Drewe’s Olivier Award-winning musical Honk!, running from Saturday 21 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, with a press night on Wednesday 25 November.
Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling, Honk! tells the story of Ugly, a duckling on a journey of self-discovery and belonging. The Barn’s production promises a refreshed visual world and updated musical sensibility while retaining the heart of the classic tale.
Barn Theatre CEO and Artistic Director Iwan Lewis said:
“This is just a taste of what’s to come in 2026. With the Barn’s production of I’m Sorry, Prime Minister opening in the West End early in the year, our mission is clearer than ever – to build work on our small stage in Cirencester and share it on the biggest stages around the world. To open the season with Simon Nye’s brand-new Men Behaving Badly: The Play and then welcome families back at Christmas for a big musical treat with Stiles and Drewe’s Honk! feels like the perfect statement of intent. I can’t wait to show you the rest of the year.”
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
