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Castle of Joy

Det Ferösche Compagnie

A person wearing a grey jumper shouts at something off-camera to the right-hand stand. Behind them, a person creeps up on them dressed in black.

Hear the compelling story of a person's struggle to build a world of their own in this moving play from the innovative Faroese theatre company, based on true events.

Castle of Joy is inspired by the life and work Pól Jóhannus Poulsen, also called Joy. Born in 1925, Pól Jóhannus lived in a small village in the Faroe Islands and was excluded from his society because he was considered to be different. However, this didn’t stop him from pursuing his dreams of constructing a world of tangled jumble.

Featuring intense physicality, an imaginative set and a tender score with live piano playing, this epic tale of love, loss and art draws parallels with the Faroe Islands’ own struggle for independence against colonisation.  

Det Ferösche Compagnie is a Faroese theatre group that strives to create innovative and experimental work with research and devising as vital parts of the process.

Running time: 2 hours, including a 20 minute interval 

Contains smoke effects and scenes of a violent nature.

Age guidance: 12+

Post-show talk
Thu 29 Feb, The Pit 

Free to same-day ticket holders. 

Performed in English and Faroese. 

Presented by the Barbican. 

Images by Gwenaël Akira Helmsdal Carré.

Members and Members Plus enjoy 20% off ticket prices for this show.

No booking fee. Subject to availability.  

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Corporate Members enjoy discounted ticket prices for this show.

2 tickets max per booking. Subject to availability. 

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£5

Subject to availability. 

Aged 14–25? Join Young Barbican for free. 

Wheelchair spaces, free companion seats may now be booked online.    
Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts.    

Booking a wheelchair space:
Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select wheelchair user ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please select the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected.    

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Groups   
Groups can book at a 20% discount, subject to availability. Contact [email protected] to make a group booking.   

Schools  
£8*, subject to availability.

Students   
Save 50% on Wednesday performances, subject to availability. 

Under 16’s   
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*If you are a teacher or group leader planning a trip, you can receive up to £300 towards the cost of a visit to a wide variety of inspiring venues managed by the City of London Corporation. Find out more.

*Excludes £1.50 booking fee

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The Pit