The Team

IWAN LEWIS

Artistic Director

Iwan Lewis is the founding artistic director of The Barn Theatre. Having conceived The Barn Theatre project alongside Ian Carling, this former actor and Guildford School of Acting alum is a visionary reshaping the cultural landscape in the Cotswolds. His transition from the stage in 2014 marked the beginning of an ambitious journey to revolutionise theatre, not just create it. 

Iwan harbours a passion for nurturing emerging talent, not only on the stage but in all theatre roles. He sees The Barn Theatre as a launchpad for aspiring professionals, a place where careers soar and creativity blossoms. Iwan is constructing a sanctuary at The Barn, an environment where creatives step into the spotlight, delivering their finest work. 

Unsubsidised and proud, The Barn, under Iwan’s leadership, defies norms. With over 35 productions since its opening in 2018 — despite a global pandemic — he isn’t just following playbooks; he’s authoring them. He’s driven by the conviction that The Barn’s future hinges on fresh faces, ground-breaking productions and a community deeply rooted in Cirencester, but also reaching well beyond.

Anthony Houghton

PRODUCER

Anthony originally trained as a theatrical designer at Wimbledon School of Art before going on to train as an actor at Arts Educational Schools, London. He worked as an actor, writer and theatre director for over thirty years, both in the UK and abroad. Prior to joining The Barn, Anthony worked as a producer at Alchemist, a global Learning and Development company, producing large immersive events for UK Government organisations.  

Harry Armytage 

Technical & Production Manager 

Harry came to The Barn in 2022, having spent a season at Garsington Opera as deputy production manager, and five years at the Watermill Theatre as assistant production manager. Harry trained at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, on their Theatre & Performance Technology course, and after graduating in 2014 worked in a variety of theatre and production roles, ranging from operations manager of a London events company to metalworker for a Manchester-based set construction company. He has also worked as a lighting designer on a range of productions, including plays at Hull Truck Theatre and Jermyn Street Theatre, amongst others, and lit two seasons for the Dorset Opera Festival.  

George Dix 

Technical and Production Assistant  

George supports the producers and the theatre manager here at The Barn. His role varies from show to show, depending on the needs of each production: a show with lots of tech or set may require him to assist the theatre manager more, whereas a show with a large cast may require more support for the producers. George likes to think of himself as the glue that brings the two departments together, or the grease the keeps the engine running smoothly. If there’s a job that needs doing, George is your guy! 

Richard Jones 

Head of Sales & Marketing  

Richard began his career in advertising, including Saatchi & Saatchi before moving into the clothing sector, working with luxury brands such as Paul Smith, Betty Jackson and Burberry, building a consumer-focused strategy for export markets in the Far East. Richard worked as sales & marketing director for Porsche Design (UK) and the late Dr Lousie Kiesling, to develop a start–up luxury mail order business which was sold four years later for £25m. Richard has fifteen years’ experience marketing large–scale sports events, including the Rugby League World Cup 2013 (£5.6m profit) and various high–profile golf tournaments for the R&A and European Golf Tour. He joined The Barn in October 2018 as head of sales & marketing, doubling sales in the last two years since reopening after Covid. 

Alex Tabrizi  

Videographer & Photographer 

Alex is of Iranian and Scottish heritage and studied fine art photography at university, as well as the acting techniques of Stanford Meisner & Lee Strasburg and Clowning & Lecoq Physical Theatre. He started his career as an artist, then worked as a 360° product photographer for Selfridges & others before producing a feature film starring Jason Flemyng and Lindsey Colson. After several years working as a freelance videographer and documentary maker, he joined The Barn’s marketing team in 2021, responsible for visual content creation. Notable Barn credits include Stones in His Pockets (CGI content, 2021) and A Portrait of Dorian Gray (Gaffer, 2021). 

Anna Vaughan 

Head of Fundraising 

Anna has twenty years’ experience in arts fundraising, having worked for ten years at the National Theatre, where she raised almost £20 million for their capital redevelopment NT Future. Since then, she’s run her own fundraising consultancy working for Sadler’s Wells, Bush Theatre, Kiln Theatre, Chickenshed, The BRIT School and Eclipse Theatre. She was also director of development at British Youth Music Theatre. In her spare time, she most enjoys seeing theatre and visiting museums and historical sites. She’s also a trustee of the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre. 

Pip Roche 

Fundraising Assistant 

Pip supports the work of the fundraising department through research, events organisation and community and patron engagement. She has travelled widely, has experience in education and running a family business, and has retrained and worked in horticulture while raising young children. She is passionate about the role that the arts and creativity can play in building healthy and happy communities. Pip loves cricket, good food and is extremely keen to see restoration of biodiversity and healthy soil and food systems through regenerative agriculture.  

Rachel Kirk 

Senior Financial Administrator 

Rachel was educated and lived in the Reading area prior to relocating to the Cotswolds over twenty years ago, where she raised a family and became involved in many fundraising activities. Her career began in the automotive industry, leading a multi–brand marketing department. She then moved into a finance and administration management role within the IT sector and remained within a corporate environment for several years. Rachel thrives on the diversity of The Barn Theatre and has enjoyed being able to utilise her skills within the finance department where she has been since the theatre opened in 2018.