THE ever-adventurous Barn Theatre at Cirencester is staging a revival of Double Double, a clever story of power, love and illusion. First produced in 1986 at London’s Fortune Theatre, the play is at the Barn until 30th May.

Weeks before his 37th birthday, Philippa’s husband Richard dies. But the terms of his inheritance required that he should (still) be alive and married. In the throes of grief, Philippa hatches a plan: find someone she can pass off as Richard and split the £2 million windfall.

The good news is that she’s found Richard’s doppelganger in Duncan. The bad news? Duncan is homeless, shabby and has a broad Scots accent. Can she turn him into a passable version of genteel antiques collector Richard?

What follows is a witty psychological duel where Philippa and Duncan each struggle to get the upper hand, entangling feelings and second guessing intentions. Because now the con is on, who really has the most to lose?

Daniel Brocklebank, who plays Duncan, played Billy Mayhew in Coronation Street from 2014 until 2026. He won a Screen Actors Guild Award for his performance in Shakespeare in Love (Miramax) and his other theatre credits include As You Like It, Titus Andronicus, The Tamer Tamed and Lord of the Flies at the RSC, and A Doll’s House at The Lowry.

Faye Brookes (Philippa) is best known as Kate Connor in Coronation Street, for which she won a National Television Award. Her theatre credits Constellations at the Barn Theatre, and national tours of Chicago, Shrek and Strictly Ballroom.

Double Double was written by Rick Elice (co-writer of Jersey Boys) and Roger Rees (Olivier and Tony award winning actor). The new 40th anniversary production is directed by Ryan McBryde.