With Rachel Barnes having performed in Manic Street Creature at Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Southwark Playhouse, she is returning in the role of Heidi when the show opens at Kiln Theatre, running from Thursday 5th to Saturday 28th March, and she works alongside Maimuna Memon as Ria (also wrote music, book and lyrics), Sam Beveridge as Finn and Harley Johnson as Raz, and they are directed by Kirsty Patrick Ward. Previous productions for Rachel have seen her be in the cast of Coven from October 2025 to January 2026, perform at the National Theatre in Frank Galati’s award-winning adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath, and she was part of Sugar Coat for VAULT Festival and Southwark Playhouse and The Wicker Husband at Watermill Theatre. On screen, Rachel played Gemma in an episode of Ladhood for the BBC, and she has voiceover experience with shows such as Team Zenko Go and Where’s Wally?. Chatting with us, Rachel talks about returning to Manic Street Creature at Kiln Theatre from Thursday 5th March, playing Heidi in the production alongside the show’s music, book & lyrics writer Maimuna Memon (Ria) and her recent run in Coven.
How does it feel to be returning to Manic Street Creature, this time at Kiln Theatre, having been part of the production at both Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Southwark Playhouse previously, and what are you looking forward to for the run?
It’s really exciting to be back doing the show bigger and better. It was really on a shoestring in Edinburgh so it’s great to have a proper budget now, and of course, the lovely Sam (Beveridge) is joining us this time too, adding more textures and harmonies which make the music even more delicious!
Was there anything that originally drew you to Manic Street Creature and what do you enjoy most about working on the show?
I thought it was really interesting to look at mental health from the perspective of a carer so was interested to be part of telling that story. And Maimuna’s (Memon) music, of course!
Can you tell us about Manic Street Creature and your character Heidi, and what is Heidi like to play?
I feel that Heidi and Ria have been playing together for a long time and Heidi has seen her whole relationship play out. She is a constant quiet support for Ria throughout the story, especially in the hardest moments and observes Ria’s subtle changes in mood. I like her caring nature.
What is it like performing alongside Maimuna Memon (Ria / music, book & lyrics writer), Sam Beveridge (Finn) and Harley Johnston (Raz) and being directed by Kirsty Patrick Ward?
They’re all so talented, it’s really a treat to perform with them. And Kirsty is the perfect leader, she keeps us all on track! I think we all work really fluidly together.
How has it been seeing the audience response to the previous runs of Manic Street Creature and why would you recommend booking tickets to see the show at Kiln Theatre, which is open from Thursday 5th to Saturday 28th March?
A lot of people have really identified with this show, sometimes very deeply, which has been powerful to see. It can be an emotional one! It’s a vulnerable show that is presented so beautifully (and comedically at times too) – what’s not to like?!
What do you hope audiences will take from Manic Street Creature?
Inspiration to be true to themselves in their relationships. And I know they’ll have the songs in their heads too!
You also performed at Kiln Theatre in the recent production of Coven (October 2025 – January 2026), how was this?
It was magical! Such a powerful story and a phenomenal group of women.
What was it like being in the cast of The Grapes of Wrath at the National Theatre and telling the story of Frank Galati’s award-winning adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel?
Intense! But brilliant.
Can you tell us about your time working on Sugar Coat at VAULT Festival and Southwark Playhouse and The Wicker Husband at Watermill Theatre?
They were both really fun shows. I’d never played punk rock before Sugar Coat, so that was a refreshing change. And working at the Watermill in spring was so gorgeous, it’s a special place.
On screen, you played Gemma in an episode Ladhood for BBC, what was it like having a guest role in the series?
I had a blast! Gemma was intimidatingly self-assured compared to the ‘lads’, so that was fun to play.
Can you say about your voiceover experience, which has seen you voice characters in shows such as Team Zenko Go and Where’s Wally? and how different do you find it to stage acting?
It’s so different from theatre in that it’s really fast-paced, you don’t have time to prepare or look through anything in advance, you just have to find a strong choice and run with it! I love doing the specific character’s voices but even more fun is doing the random other stuff like voicing a ‘spinning turnip’. It’s very silly.
How did you get into performing and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?
I auditioned for NYT when I was 14 and that got me hooked!
Do you have any favourite theatre shows to watch and which would you like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?
I still need to see Operation Mincemeat!
How do you like to spend your free time?
In nature, always!