15 Jan 2026
St Albans theatre production company OVO has received formal planning permission for its new St Germain’s Barn theatre.
This huge milestone means the 17th century barn and St Michael’s Pavilion in Verulamium Park will shortly be undergoing restoration plans for their new purpose, which includes offering theatre opportunities for all.
The repertory theatre model will bring long-term employment to theatre creatives, produce reimagined versions of classic plays all year-round, and provide a bar and café open to audiences and visitors to the nearby park.
The decision will allow OVO, which was founded in 2003, to expand its existing theatre portfolio, which includes running The Maltings Theatre since 2011 and the annual Roman Theatre Open Air Festival since 2014.
To fund the revival of the Grade II listed St Germain’s Barn, OVO launched an equity investment campaign in June 2025. Thanks to this initiative, the company has now raised £309,000 via 63 investors, including local supporters and figures from the theatre industry, more than double the original target of £150,000.
OVO has also run a series of fundraising events in St Albans including ‘An Evening with Victor & Albert’ at The Maltings Theatre, with nearly £2,000 of ticket sales donated by the Kimpton comedy duo, as well as a glamorous screening of Baz Luhrmann’s ‘The Great Gatsby’ at The Odyssey, which included a musical showcase from the cast of OVO’s summer 2025 stage adaptation of the classic novel.
Generous donations from the public have added a further £5,000 to the fundraising total.
Having staged over 100 productions over the past 22 years, OVO founder and artistic director Adam Nichols is excited for their next venture: “I have long wanted to address the barriers which prevent people from less advantaged backgrounds being able to pursue a career in theatre. OVO’s new rep company, housed in our beautiful barn theatre, will be a catalyst for widening the talent pool in the industry.
“With overwhelming support from loyal investors, the local community, and OVO’s high profile Patrons – Dame Joanna Lumley, Ralph Fiennes, Brian Cox CBE, and Zoë
Wanamaker CBE – the project continues to gain momentum and generate interest both locally and in the theatre world.”
The fundraising campaign continues, and anyone wishing to donate to the new theatre can do so via OVO’s website at www.ovo.org.uk/support-the-barn
