7 minute read
Outdoor Theatre
Let us set the scene of an idyllic summer’s eve in Cornwall. Under a dusky peach sky as the sun makes it slow descent, the gentle buzz of the crowd lingers. In the glorious golden hour, when very often both sky and sea seem eerily still, the stages of Cornwall’s outdoor theatre performances come alive to bedazzle and enthral their audiences. For in this season, there’s nothing quite like experiencing the creativity of an outdoor performance in one of the county’s stunning hotspots. Here, we’ve rounded up a selection of what you can experience this season…
Advertisement
Penlee Theatre
Charlie & Stan at Minack Theatre Penlee Theatre
Minack Theatre Where better than to start this round-up of outdoor theatre experiences than at one of the world’s most iconic theatres. With a backdrop of the open sea, a night at the Minack offers an experience in theatre unlike any other and has been holding memorable and historical performances for decades. Currently, the theatre will play to a reduced audience capacity to enable social distancing, and all performances will be relaxed, meaning audience members are welcome to move from their seats during the performance to visit the toilets or to purchase takeaway drinks and snacks. Audience members are requested to wear a face-covering if they leave their seat during the performance.
Many of the Minack’s summer events are now on sale, including music from Ruth Wall, the Simon Latarche Quartet and Mark Harrison and family fun with Illyria’s The Further Adventures of Doctor Dolittle. Among the highlights will be Charlie & Stan, the remarkable story of the greatest comedy double act that nearly was. Inspired by true events, Told by an Idiot’s hilarious and deeply moving production is a homage to Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel, two men who changed the world of comedy forever. This production will be performed in Bath and at the Minack prior to a national tour and West End run. Tony and Olivier Award-winning theatre producer David Pugh said that Charlie & Stan is “one of the most exciting shows I have ever worked on. I’m looking forward to taking it to audiences all over the world, but Bath and Cornwall get to see it first.”
Then, former member of Kneehigh, David Mynne, is well known for his virtuoso oneman performances of Dickens. Now, he turns his usual irreverence, wit and silliness to the Middle Ages. In Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, he will journey down the foul and fetid footpaths of 14th Century England. Expect medieval naughtiness and nonsense, tights, a codpiece and no doubt, some 14th Century swearing.
The Minack’s big family production this summer is The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, the beloved classic by prolific children’s writer Joan Aiken. Russ Tunny, who adapted the book for stage, says “I wanted to capture some of the magic of this alternative version of England and its heroic children, fighting wolves and injustice, heartless criminals and despair. It is a story about the power of imagination and love – two things we have needed greatly in the last year.”
With safety measure in place, the Minack team are excited to continue doing what they do best, especially Zoe Curnow, Executive Director at the historic theatre; “After lockdown one last summer, the Minack was the first venue in the country to stage live performances and we proved that it is possible to create a safe theatre environment and still put on an amazing show…Live theatre is a shared experience that even the best zoom performances cannot replicate, and we know from last summer that our audiences are longing to enjoy it once more. We can’t wait to see them back here!”
Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales is at the Minack from 28th June – 1st July
Charlie & Stan is at the Minack from 1st – 12th August
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase is at the Minack from 24th August – 2nd September
For details of these and all other Minack productions this summer visit minack.com Advance booking is essential for all performances at the Minack.
Penlee Park Theatre Described by regulars as “a venue that consistently punches above its weight” household name Penlee Park has been providing Cornwall’s community and beyond with stellar performances year on year since 1984. Having made it through last year's enforced closure, the Penlee Park Open Air Theatre is back with Season 2021 – a selection of over 70 events to choose from that encompasses drama, music, comedy and dance.
Set in the beautiful, sheltered surroundings of the park, the theatre seats up to 350 people and from Gin & Jazz to Shakespeare and The Fisherman’s Friends via a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, this innovative venue is once again offering an exciting array of performances to delight and inspire. When booking your show, there is also the opportunity to enjoy Penlee Park’s foodie
Jam First Theatre
Sterts Theatre Little Shop of Horrors at Sterts Theatre
scene, by ordering one of their popular preshow homemade vegetable curries (dairy and gluten free), served with naan bread and yoghurt. Alternatively, there’s jacket potato with butter and grated cheese, all £5.50. In addition, there is a licensed bar plus a full range of both hot and soft drinks and snacks.
Check out Penlee Park’s extensive programme and find your next outdoor theatre performance at www.penleeparktheatre.com
Note: Hot food may not be available at all matinee performances.
Penlee Park Open Air Theatre is supported by Penzance Council.
Miracle Theatre Presents: Starcrazy From legendary Cornish theatre group Miracle Threate comes their brand-new performance Starcrazy, a cosmic comedy about obsession and the rekindling of love, hope and possibility. Set in October 1957, the world is living in fear of nuclear war and Russia has just launched Sputnik 1. Now, UFOs are turning up left, right and centre and MI5 is on high alert. Meanwhile, Stanley is building something in his garden shed.
He may live in suburbia but, in his mind, Stanley is voyaging through outer space, eager to make contact with other life forms. His neighbour, Gwen, thinks he should be exploring the unknown much closer to home.
Written and directed by Bill Scott, with original music by Tom Adams, this touring comedy performance stars Daniel Richards, Martin Hyder, Anna Munden and Risha Silvera. Touring across the South West from the 24th June to the 28th August, head to www.miracletheatre.co.uk to find out when Starcrazy is coming to a venue near you.
Sterts Theatre & Art Centre Sterts Theatre is the South West’s only permanent outdoor, undercover auditorium, just 10 minutes north of Liskeard nestled on the edge of the atmospheric Bodmin Moor. Their unique open air auditorium provides a Covid secure space with the floating roof making it a perfect all weather venue which is accessible for all the family.
Returning for a full summer season with an exciting variety of affordable shows to suit all ages and tastes, Sterts is opening on 2nd June with a production of the Little Mermaid from Sterts own Youth theatre.
From there, it’s a busy season of performances right up to September, with live music and contemporary theatre, to toe tapping operettas, stand-up comedians, family shows, and afternoon puppet shows to Shakespeare classics.
Sterts own theatre company will be bringing the family show 'Shrek', Molière's classic farce 'The Hypochondriac' and the contemporary 'The Wolf from the Door'.
As a charity Sterts has been proudly supporting Cornish theatre companies, performers and musicians since 1988. After a such a challenging year for the arts, the team are eager to welcome back many of their regular touring groups for an exciting 2021 season.
Further information and booking through our website www.sterts.co.uk
Sterts reopening has been supported by grant funding from the Culture Recovery Fund #Hereforculture
Jam First Theatre Present: Hellish A new comic Cornish folk tale from the witty troupe of Jam First Theatre, Hellish tells the story of Jago Clemo, a downon-his-luck, furloughed and frustrated Cornishman who finds himself willing to bet on any game down at his local pub. Sadly, the Devil is too!
A roaring, irreverent and wickedly funny show that looks to ‘take you from Heaven to Hell and back again, in time for scones and cream’.
Created by West End actors Laurence Pears and Darren Seed, these two Cornishmen have long been within the industry of theatrical performance, with an impressive range of West End, Broadway and TV shows between them, including Peter Pan Goes Wrong and Poldark.
Performing throughout Cornwall during June, head to www.jamfirsttheatre.com/ticketoutlets
