Fireside Folktales Fringe: Barnes’ brand-new theatre festival is here – and I’m already sharpening my sword

I’ve lived in Barnes long enough to know that when this village decides to do something cultural, it doesn’t mess about. We’ve got the Children’s Literature Festival, the Wetland Centre, more charity shops than you can shake a walking stick at – and now, a brand-new theatre festival that’s popping up around Barnes Pond like a very well-dressed mushroom.

It’s called the Fireside Folktales Fringe, and it’s the brainchild of Shadow Road Productions – a company that specialises in intimate, inventive theatre in unusual spaces. Think historic buildings, bell tents, gardens, even care homes. They’ve worked with the National Trust, Combat Stress, and the Barnes Children’s Literature Festival, so they know their onions.

I went to the launch event last night at St Mary’s Barnes, and I was genuinely, unexpectedly moved.

No tech, no holograms, just humans telling stories

In an age where AI avatars can replace actors and ticket prices are soaring, Shadow Road is going back to basics. Their ethos? No headsets. No holograms. No elaborate lighting rigs. Just real humans, sharing powerful, age-old tales, face to face.

Inspired by their own Fireside Folktales project – which casts four female actors in all roles and uses no tech, just theatrical storytelling magic with live music and sound effects – this festival strips theatre back to what matters most: people, stories, connection.

And here’s something I love: Shadow Road is proudly female-led. Their work actively rebalances the stories we tell and the roles we offer. Their Fireside Folktales collection gave hugely talented women the chance to play characters such as Macbeth, Scrooge, Robin Hood, Hades, Zeus, Long John Silver, and Jim Hawkins – and to see timeless tales through different eyes. This festival continues that mission: giving platforms to bold storytelling, diverse voices, and new perspectives on old favourites.

Passion, love, and a teary eye over the canapés

You know when you go to a preview evening and you expect a bit of polite clapping, some nibbles, and a rushed sales pitch? This wasn’t that. The performers, the volunteers, the producers – they radiated this enormous, almost ridiculous passion for what they do. You could see it in the way the sword fighters talked about their craft. You could hear it in the voices of the actors doing extracts from their shows. You could feel it in the way Emma King-Farlow, the Artistic Director, spoke about creating opportunities for artists who usually get priced out of festivals.

It was touching, honestly. I nearly choked on my free drink (which was included – thank you, festival gods).

And the location? Barnes Pond is quintessentially British. We’re talking ducks, weeping willows, a church that’s been there since the 13th century, and the sort of village green that makes Americans weep with envy. It’s the perfect backdrop for reimagined myths, legends, and timeless tales – performed in unexpected venues around the green: the Methodist Church Hall, the Sanctuary, the Barnes Green Centre, and Rose House on the High Street. All within a couple of minutes’ walk of each other.

What I’m personally excited about (and you might be too)

Let me give you my hot list. Because I’ve seen the schedule, and I’ve got opinions.

1. The theatrical sword fighting workshop – yes, really

As a former amateur fencer (I know, I know – very The Princess Bride of me), I am absolutely, 100% attending the Stage Combat Sword Fighting workshop with Amy Floyd on Saturday 23rd at 12.10pm (Barnes Green Centre). Amy is a stage combat teacher with the APC and has worked as a fight performer on The Witcher (Seasons 2?5), Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Star Wars: Andor, Hijack, Slow Horses, and even Grand Theft Auto VI. So she knows her stuff.

The workshop is open to all fitness levels and teaches the illusion of sword fighting for film and theatre. The emphasis is on safety and making you and your partner look epic – not actually hitting anyone. Which is good, because my fencing instincts might otherwise kick in and  I’d accidentally stab a nice volunteer. Bring plasters.

Perfect for: Older kids (16+ for this one, sorry little ones), teens, and adults who secretly wanted to be in Gladiator.

2. The Dario Fo and Franca Rame Italian play – Daedalus & Icarus

I’m Italian. You know this. So when I saw that the festival is staging a piece by Dario Fo (Nobel Prize winner, genius satirist) and Franca Rame (actress, activist, absolute icon), I nearly dropped my cannoli. It’s performed in English, so no subtitles required. This adaptation, on at Rose House on Saturday at 3.10pm, tells the story of Icarus not as the downfall of an arrogant youth – as he is so often portrayed – but rather as a cautionary tale against fleeing the world we live in for the comforts of fantasy. Expect sharp humour, ridiculous situations, and social commentary that makes you laugh and think at the same time.

Perfect for: Adults and older teens (15+) who like their theatre smart and silly.

3. 1 King, 2 Princes & Shakespeare’s Lie – in defence of a misunderstood monarch

I am a huge fan of Richard III. Not the Shakespearean villain who murders children and shouts “A horse! A horse!” – the real man. The warrior king who introduced bail, translated laws into English so ordinary people could understand them, and basically laid the groundwork for our entire legal system. He was a genius and a pioneer, and I will die on that hill.

So seeing a one-man performance at the Methodist Church Sanctuary on Saturday at 6pm (and repeated on Sunday) where Richard III himself returns to confront the myths that condemned him, challenging Shakespeare’s version of events and putting history on trial? Sign me up. Provocative, compelling, and darkly entertaining – and it asks the audience: did history judge the wrong man?

Perfect for: History nerds, legal professionals, and anyone tired of the hunchback propaganda.

4. Macbeth: Sleep No More – because every festival needs a bit of blood

Shadow Road’s own production of Macbeth, adapted and directed by Emma King-Farlow, is on at the Methodist Church Sanctuary on Saturday and Sunday at 3.10pm. It’s been called “peerless” by Fringe Review, with sword fighting that feels real and blood that looks it. And it’s suitable for ages 8+, so you can traumatise your children gently. (I’m joking. Mostly.)

Perfect for: Families with older kids, and anyone who loves a good prophecy gone wrong.

5. Baker Street Ladies – a hilarious Sherlock Holmes spoof

We got a teaser of this at the launch event, and I actually laughed out loud. Multi?award?winning actor and writer Lexi Wolfe brings to life Mary Morstan (Mrs Watson), the indomitable Mrs Hudson, and the mysterious Irene Adler – all while Sherlock is conveniently not at home. It’s clever, silly, feminist, and wonderfully performed. On at the Barnes Green Centre on Saturday and Sunday at 1.50pm.

Perfect for: Families with children aged 8+, and anyone who enjoys a good parody.

6. The Rise, Fall, & Spooky Stories of Richmond Palace – local history with ghosts

Local historian Mark Lucas (who wrote the book) gives a lively, family-friendly talk about Richmond Palace – the Tudor royal residence just up the river from Barnes. Expect monarchs, courtiers, scandals, intrigues, and ghostly tales. He’ll be signing copies of his book afterwards. On at the Methodist Church Hall on Saturday at 6pm.

Perfect for: All ages. History buffs, ghost hunters, and anyone who likes a good “did that really happen?” story.

What about the kids? Plenty. And some grown-up treats too.

The festival isn’t just for grown-ups pretending to be cultured. There are loads of events designed for children and families, including:

• Aesop’s Fables: The Harvest Festival (Barnes Green Centre, 11am, ages 3+) – three classic fables woven together with music, props, and a lot of charm. “Brilliant show!” said one audience review.
• Fireside Tales for Children (Barnes Green Centre, 5pm, all ages) – a relaxed, magical storytelling session by a glowing stove. Different stories on Saturday and Sunday, so you can come twice.
• The Little Broomstick Rider (Methodist Church Hall, 10.45am, ages 10+) – a unique “illustrations-coming-to-life” film made entirely with paper, pens, scissors, and glue during lockdown. A Slamdance winner and London FrightFest favourite. Half fairy-tale, half historically accurate witch trial, with macabre humour.
• Prop-Making with Alice Wilson (Methodist Church Hall, Sunday 1.50pm) – a hands-on 90-minute workshop where you can carve a monster face, flower, or other design, then cast it in plaster to take home. Alice is a prop, puppet, and set maker who’s worked on giant puppets for the London New Year’s Day Parade.

And for the grown-ups when the kids are distracted:

• Resurgam (Sanctuary, Saturday 1.15pm, ages 12+) – a piece exploring the legacy of the unnoticed and hope for new dreams, drawing on Jane Eyre.
• Plucked (Rose House, Sunday 5pm, ages 18+) – a gritty, modern retelling of the Persephone and Demeter myth, told through two monologues. A story of love, loss, and what a mother will do to get her child back.
• Musicals, Myths & Magic (Sanctuary, Saturday 7.15pm) – acclaimed actor and singer Fed Zanni performs songs from Les Misérables, Hadestown, Disney favourites, and more. Perfect for musical theatre lovers.

For the theatre nerds and aspiring makers

The festival also has two brilliant panel discussions for anyone who makes or wants to make theatre:

• Saturday 1.50pm – “What Comes Next After a Fringe Festival?” (Methodist Church Hall) – industry voices talk about building momentum, developing work, and taking the next steps.
• Sunday 12.10pm – “Meet the Reviewers: Press, Publicity & Getting Your Work Seen” (Barnes Green Centre) – critics and bloggers talk about how shows get selected for review, what makes a strong press release, and how to approach reviewers without being a nuisance.

Why this festival matters (and why you should go)

I’m not just saying this because I live in Barnes. The Fireside Folktales Fringe is run by people who genuinely care about access. Emma King-Farlow, the Artistic Director, lives with multiple chronic illnesses, and many of her team are disabled or neurodivergent. They’ve built a festival that platforms artists who are usually priced out, and they’re performing in accessible, unconventional spaces.

That’s not just nice. That’s important.

And the festival has been made possible by a huge Crowdfunder – dozens of local people and businesses chipped in, from Gyles Brandreth to anonymous donors, plus cake and coffee mornings. The Barnes Community Association supported early on, and Richmond Library Service is partnering on a Festival Reading Nook. It’s also an official Pledge Partner of the National Year of Reading 2026.

So you’re not just watching theatre. You’re supporting a community that believes storytelling should be for everyone.

Practical details you actually need

• What: Fireside Folktales Fringe – a weekend festival of reimagined myths, legends, and timeless tales
• Where: Four venues around Barnes Green, SW13 – Barnes Methodist Church Hall, Methodist Church Sanctuary, Barnes Green Centre, and Rose House on Barnes High Street
• When: Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th May 2026
• Who for: All ages – from toddlers (Aesop’s Fables) to adults (Plucked, 18+)
• Tickets: Available on TicketSource via the festival website. Most shows £5-£15, some free/pay-what-you-can.
• Contact: shadowroadproductions@gmx.com
• Website: https://shadowroad.com/fireside-folktales-fringe/ – check their socials @ShadowRoadProds.

Note: All events are repeated on both Saturday and Sunday unless otherwise stated. The schedule is packed, so plan ahead.

Final verdict: go. Take the kids. Bring a sense of humour.

I’ll be there on the Saturday, probably with a sword in my hand and a legal argument about Richard III on my lips. If you see a woman lunging dramatically at a nice volunteer while shouting “I’m not actually hitting you!”, come say hello.

Let’s fill Barnes Pond with laughter, storytelling, and the sound of enthusiastic amateur fencers missing their targets.

Monica x

PS. If you can’t make the festival but want to support Shadow Road, they’re always looking for volunteers, sponsors, and friendly social media cheerleaders. Drop them an email. They deserve it. And if you see Emma King?Farlow, give her a round of applause – she’s built something genuinely special here.