A STORY inspired by Sir Michael Morpurgo’s own family history is brought to the stage by adapter Simon Reade and the adventurous team at Cirencester’s Barn Theatre, from Friday 28th March to Saturday 10th May.

In the Mouth of the Wolf is the true story of Morpurgo’s uncles in the Second World War. That war brought about an avalanche of tragedy, heartbreak and division – but what happens when that division is within your own family? Brothers, Francis and Pieter are in disagreement. Living in turbulent times as one bloody war has ended and another stirs in the near future, tensions are high and they can both feel it. Francis is a dedicated pacifist, committed to peace and determined not to go backwards to a violent world. Pieter believes that peace can only be achieved by signing up to fight. The event that occurs after this is one that will change Francis’ life forever.

It’s not the first time that Simon Reade has adapted a story by Michael Morpurgo – his previous play, Private Peaceful is now a classic of First World War drama.

The cast for this Built By Barn production is led by John Hastings as Francis and Shaun McCourt as Pieter.
In the Mouth of the Wolf will be directed by Philip Wilson with designer Yoav Segal, lighting design from Ryan Day, composition and sound design by Ella Wahlström.

imon Reade says: “I am thrilled to be continuing my collaboration with Michael at the Barn … interpreting a true World War Two drama told from an adult’s perspective. Do you stand up to tyranny, even it means compromising your ideals? Or do you stay stubbornly true to yourself while the world around you explodes? ‘In the Mouth of the Wolf’ is the Italian expression for ‘Good luck’ on the opening night at the theatre – ‘In bocca al lupo’ It is ompelling storytelling for our own dangerous times.”