After a few years silent in the darkness, Bretforton’s Theatrebarn venue is returning to its former glories.

It was launched 40 years ago by the actor James Wellman and the chef David Swift. Beginning in the attic room at Bretforton Grange near Evesham, Theatrebarn soon moved into the historic tithe barn next door, “building a cosy little 180-seater theatre with raked seating and an intimate, immediate acoustics”.

When old age forced James and David to give up the running of the enterprise there were a few fallow years; but now the charitable trust they founded has successfully reinvigorated the building, and relaunched a programme of events.

A spokesman said: “Theatrebarn’s renaissance began with “Strictly Come Joking” at the end of July, with Barry Cryer and Colin Sell.

“ Its next presentation is on September 28, when the actors Kevin Whately and his wife Madelaine Newton are joined by their daughter, mezzo-soprano Kitty Whately, in a programme of words and music entitled “Careful the tale you tell”, a slightly Gothic, occasionally scary anthology of poetry and song.”

Kevin said: “The magic for us as a family, apart from the obvious, is that for Kitty, her many solo concerts can be quite lonely, so to have Madelaine and me in support ,punctuating her songs and giving her time to catch her breath, is a nice change for her.

“”For us oldies ,we never stop being amazed at Kitty’s talent and professionalism. As actors ,we can get away with stumbles and ‘off days’, but singers have to be on top form at all times , often singing in many different languages and while feeling under the weather. “

“Careful the tale you tell” begins with a drinks reception at the TheatreBarn, Bretforton, at 6.30pm on September 28, followed by a post-concert buffet supper. Details at: www.theatrebarn.org