Mrs Animation brings new musical GAY to Barnstaple Fringe Festival

Local artist and theatre maker Sarah Lee-Pettifer, known as Mrs Animation, is set to bring her latest musical, GAY, to the Barnstaple Fringe Festival this June, running from 25–28. 

The show follows the success of her recent production Essex to Barny, which enjoyed a hugely popular run at The Queen’s Theatre this January.

“Essex to Barny took off, so GAY had to wait in the wings,” says Sarah. “Now it’s finished, polished and ready for the stage.”

GAY The Musical is a comedy exploring the life of Barnstaple-born playwright John Gay, famed for writing The Beggar’s Opera. 

ABOVE: Oil painting by Godfrey Kneller of an unknown man traditionally identified as John Gay

The production blends humour, live music and local history to shine a light on a writer whose influence extended far beyond North Devon.

“It’s another comedy musical because, let’s face it, who doesn’t like a good laugh?” Sarah adds. 

“But it’s layered with history and facts people genuinely don’t know. I love taking real stories and making them bold, funny and alive again.”

Auditions for the show will be announced soon, with Sarah inviting local performers to take part in what promises to be another high-energy, laughter-filled Fringe production. 

“I want audiences to leave laughing, a little bit shocked, and incredibly proud that this extraordinary writer came from Barnstaple,” she says.

This year, Fringe TheatreFest celebrates its 20th festival, featuring four days of performances across Barnstaple, with 50 shows and 150 performances lined up.

ABOVE: Logo for GAY The Musical, Sarah Lee-Pettifer’s new comedy celebrating Barnstaple-born playwright John Gay, coming to the 20th Barnstaple Fringe Festival this June

Mrs Animation is a British artist living and working in Barnstaple, North Devon, surrounded by beaches and countryside. 

She is best known for her eye-catching, neon artworks covered in sequins and music, each piece hand-painted with sequins individually placed.

Her love for art and music was passed down by her mother, a textile artist and devoted fan of T-Rex, The Rolling Stones and disco. Sarah’s work has been featured at major festivals including Isle of Wight Festival, Reading Festival and Boardmasters, and she has exhibited internationally.

Alongside her artwork, Mrs Animation has developed the Hocus Art app, allowing users to scan her creations and watch them come to life in an eruption of colour and sound. Her work has been described as an “on the wall” VIP disco for the art collector.