Categories
Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre

THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY RETURNS…

 

“Julius Caesar is the perfect play for our age of emergency,”

We’re delighted to welcome the Royal Shakespeare Company back to Hall for Cornwall this spring with this fast-paced political thriller. Whether you can recite every word of this play, or you’re yet to hear the lines passionately performed on the stage, what better way to experience it than at the newly renovated Cornwall Playhouse?

Synopsis…

Concerned that Caesar poses a threat to democracy, revolutionaries take the violent decision to murder him. They have no plan for what comes next. As the world spins out of control, chaos, horror and superstition rush in to fill the void. Civil war erupts and a new leader must rise: but at what cost?

Join us for drama and excitement as the Royal Shakespeare Company returns to our stage this April. Julius Caesar’s thought-provoking storyline will keep you on the edge of your seat as the characters navigate the treacherous waters of power and ambition.

Meet the Cast…

Joining Nigel Barrett (Julius Caesar) and the formiddable Thalissa Teixeira (Brutus) is a cast of talented individuals with a portfolio that includes television’s Call the Midwife, Doctors, and The Witcher, and theatre’s Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

 

Pictured: (Left to Right) Nigel Barrett (Julius Caesar), Thalissa Teixeira (Brutus), and Kelly Gough (Cassius).

Along side this carefully thought-out casting will be 2 deaf actors performing sign language throughout the performance.

For each location on their tour, the Royal Shakespeare Company have also invited along community champions and leaders to join the cast of Julius Caesar on the stage as part of the play. Each group will partake in 5 weeks of rehearsals before performing alongside actors from one of the most well-known theatre companies in the UK.

Emily Kent, Michelle Sudworth, Laura Allen, Molly Banks, Amy Rom and Lisa McNally have been handpicked by HfC for the inspiring contributions each of these wonderful women make to the community. We are in awe of all the women who make things happen for the creative industries right across Cornwall and beyond, and are thrilled to welcome them to Hall for Cornwall.

The choir have been prepped for their performance by local Musical Director & Community Chorus leader, Matthew Thomason. We’re so grateful for all of his help and guidance over the last few weeks helping to prepare the chorus ready for action. He’s been flexing his creative talents to lead singing techniques, breathing and vocal exercises, as well as teaching songs and cues.

Matthew is a composer for Film, Theatre, Games and Dance currently living in Falmouth. His most recent projects of note as a composer include: Europa (Game 2023); Long Way Back (o-region 2022); A Short Film About Ice (Black Cat Films 2020), HIRETH (Sound Design o-region 2018), as well as touring solo piano performances of his new suite ‘Gwlaskor’ across Europe. He also has 12 years experience as a Music Director in theatre and the community, most recently working on Melior Opus Griot (Hall For Cornwall 2022).

“When asked to imagine a better future for us all, what resources do we have left? What are the limits of peaceful activism? How far would you, personally, go, to make the world a better place?”

Meet the Director…

Atri Banerjee won The Stage Debut Award for Best Director, and a UK Theatre Award nomination for his production of Hobson’s Choice at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Other credits include The Glass Menagerie (Royal Exchange Manchester), Britannicus (Lyric Hammersmith), Kes (Octagon Theatre, Bolton/Theatre By The Lake, Keswick), Harm (Bush Theatre, also broadcast on BBC Four), and Utopia (Royal Exchange Theatre).  Last year Atri was named in The Stage 25 list of theatre-makers to look out for in 2022 and beyond, and in November 2022, along with Rachel Bagshaw, he was awarded a Peter Hall bursary by the National Theatre, which will support Atri in developing work for the NT’s stages.

Categories
Theatre

FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS THE MUSICAL IS COMING HOME TO CORNWALL

After a popular tour of the UK and North America, Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical returns to Hall for Cornwall this April, marking 18 months since the inaugural performance which launched the new Cornwall Playhouse!

Produced by Cornwall Playhouse Productions and ROYO, this rags-to-riches story of friendship, community and music features a reworked and punchier script that has delighted audiences around the world since its development run in 2021. It’s a heart-warming tale for our times, a triumph of Cornish spirit, filled with hope, joy, and a celebration of how the power of singing can help to bring people together. It’s a heart-warming tale for our times, a triumph of Cornish spirit, filled with hope, joy, and a celebration of how the power of singing can help to bring people together.

 

Director James Grieve looks back on the story of these humble friends: ‘Their journey began when they stepped out on The Platt at Port Isaac to sing a few songs to raise a few quid for a lifeboat. A music producer on holiday was bewitched by the striking sound of these raw acapella voices underscored by the sea lapping against the shore. They signed to Island Records and their debut album went gold and entered the album chart at number 9.’

 

The real Fisherman’s Friends join the red carpet on opening night

Following our renovation, this feel-good musical smashed box office records when it opened, playing to nearly 21,000 people who flocked to see the show and our new theatre. With two young producers at the helm making their professional debut, the first tour was a landmark moment for Cornwall. Since then, the musical has crossed the Tamar and headed north, playing to dozens of towns and cities across the UK, and even sailing into Canada last Christmas!

‘Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends are unlikely all-conquerors. A group of lifelong friends who started singing together at school and ended up on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury.’

– Director James Grieve

 

This year’s production has been reinvented with an all-star cast, including Parisa Shahmir (MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again) and Dan Buckley (Sweeney Todd) reprising their roles from the original production, James Gaddas (Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Dracula), Jason Langley (War Horse, Casualty) and Cornish celebrities Robert Duncan (Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution) from St Austell, and Susan Penhaligon, who grew up in St Ives and Falmouth.

After beginning her life in Cornwall, Susan has toured the world with her career, starring in Bouquet of Barbed Wire, A Fine Romance, Dracula, Under Milk Wood, Emmerdale and more. Susan’s role as Maggie in Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical marks her return home to the Cornish stage.

‘Cornwall to me is a sense of belonging; a sense of identity.’

– Susan Penhaligon

Julian Boast, CEO of Hall for Cornwall commented: ‘When we dreamed of a new theatre for Cornwall, we hoped for magical pin-drop moments that would captivate audiences, and with this show we were lucky enough to manage that right at the start of our journey. Thinking back to that opening week, the atmosphere was palpable as the audience entered the brand-new Cornwall Playhouse and embarked on this proudly-Cornish  journey with us. I’m so pleased at the prospect of bringing those spine-tingling moments to new audiences, and welcoming back those who were captivated first time round.’

 

Susan Penhaligon stars in the musical

Jon Cleave, one of the founding members of the original Fisherman’s Friends band, appeared on BBC Breakfast to talk about the musical.

‘We love the musical and the way they do it – it’s fantastic. We’ve seen it four or five times! It’s an absolute joy to see the way our story is portrayed, and everyone comes out of the theatre feeling made up and all fuzzy afterwards.’

– Jon Cleave, member of the original Fisherman’s Friends

 

Jon Cleave sporting his iconic moustache on opening night!

He then went on to reminisce on the opening night, where the original band performed a shanty to the audience: ‘Hall for Cornwall was being re-opened after being refitted, and that was the first night of the musical, and it was fantastic. And of course, being full of Cornish people who can’t stop singing, they were singing along to the whole thing and waving their Cornish flags, and it was a fantastic evening… Cornwall has a massive singing tradition, and everyone in Cornwall takes part in that and pride in that.’

 

The original cast take a bow to a standing ovation

The real Fisherman’s Friends have confirmed that they are coming along to see the musical on opening night (Tuesday 11th April), which promises to be a sensational evening.

The final performance will be dedicated to Hall for Cornwall trustee, John Pollard, who sadly passed away earlier this year. John worked closely with Hall for Cornwall for five dedicated years, displaying a true passion for the transformative power of arts and culture.

Fisherman’s Friends the Musical runs from TUE 11 – SAT 22 APR 2023.

You can find out more about the musical and purchase tickets here.

Categories
Theatre

LEGENDARY BAND ‘HAWKWIND’ RETURN TO HALL FOR CORNWALL

 

Hall for Cornwall are delighted to welcome back the legendary psychedelic spacerock band Hawkwind, making their first appearance in our building since the days of Truro City Hall. Visitors to our Greenroom café will have seen the inclusion of their 1973 visit in our wall-mounted timeline, but their debut in Truro was as far back as 1970, only a year after they emerged out of the Ladbroke Grove counterculture scene!

Misty-eyed enthusiasts still talk warmly of their various Cornish concerts across the years, most notably in 1971 at Redruth’s Flamingo Club – or Morrisons as it is now! – where they were joined for the very first time by the statuesque dancer Stacia. That 1973 show recorded on our timeline would have seen a certain bass player by the name of Lemmy in their line-up. Lemmy sang vocals on their Top 3 hit ‘Silver Machine’ the previous year, and a couple of years later formed his own band, named after a song he’d written for Hawkwind: ‘Motörhead’.

 

A picture sleeve of Hawkwind’s best known single

At the St Austell Coliseum in 1980, for their Levitation tour, the band included Ginger Baker, famous for drumming in the British rock trio Cream, while a couple of years later at the same venue they played a benefit gig that, in part, helped fund a CT scanner for Treliske Hospital.

Hawkwind at St Austell Coliseum with Ginger Baker on Drums. Credit: Oz Hardwick

They returned to Truro City Hall in 1993 as a tight and loud three-piece, with local band Lordryk in support. Seasoned Cornish gig-goers will remember that Lordryk were also known under the name Moondragon, and later morphed into local favourites 3 Daft Monkeys, whose Anthene Roberts makes an appearance on the very latest Hawkwind live album!

Other Cornish Hawkwind gigs still talked of fondly include a private party in Carleen on the day of the solar eclipse of 1999, a headline appearance at a psychedelic all-dayer in Penzance in 1988, and at the notorious Treworgey Tree Fayre festival of 1989. Then there was a nostalgic remount of their Warrior on the Edge of Time album at Falmouth Pavilions. Older fans reminisce about their 1971 gig at Marazion, overlooking St Michael’s Mount. Or was it on St Michael’s Mount, overlooking Marazion? Nobody can quite agree it seems!

We’re thrilled to have the ever-present Dave Brock and the current Hawkwind line-up visit Hall for Cornwall, especially as they continue their tradition of having local bands open for them with the wonderful Celtic cacophony of Hanterhir appearing this time!

Spacerockers, this is the show for you!

Written by Ian Abrahams

Author of Hawkwind: Sonic Assassins

Categories
Music Theatre

ON SALE NOW: BRAND NEW SHOWS FOR 2023!

Just when you thought we were done announcing shows, we go and do this…

Musicals, comedy, and classical concerts to knock your socks off… The best of the West End is on route to the Cornwall Playhouse!

Musicals

Kicking off the stellar line-up is Take That’s Greatest Days. Formerly known as The Band and written by Tim Firth (who brought Gary Barlow to Hall for Cornwall in 2022), the musical follows five Take That obsessed friends in the 1990s, who reunite over 20 years later to see their favourite band one last time. Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Take That’s first ever UK Number 1 single Pray, this heart-warming and hilarious story of love, loss and laughter coincides with the Summer 2023 release of the official movie inspired by this musical.

Timeless love story The Bodyguard is next on the agenda starring Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton as Rachel Marron. Rediscover this classic with an irresistible soundtrack and a thrilling love story.

Immerse yourself in the complex tale of The Everly Brothers with Walk Right Back a concert-based musical tribute featuring their greatest hits.

Finally for musicals, That’ll Be the Day returns to Truro with their toe-tapping Rock ‘n’ Roll show, taking you on a journey from the 50s to 80s, with uncanny impressions of your favourite stars.

Live Music Highlights

2023 brings a jam-packed schedule of classical talent, opera, and live music favourites to the Cornwall Playhouse stage.

Enjoy orchestral music with some of the UK’s finest ensembles as London Mozart Players, Carousel Chamber Music Ensemble, and Manchester Camerata visit, following the success of the BBC Proms concert in 2022.

Welsh National Opera present Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, a thrilling tale spiralling from 18th-century France into 20th-century post-war America. Sit tight through a fantastical and chaotic world of castles, skyscrapers, earthquakes, and Amazonian jungles, where societies are rife with inequality and families displaced by war. Combining the best of Broadway with classical Opera, dance and animation, this story remains as relevant now as when it was first written in 1759.

Rediscover the timeless and hilarious light opera The Mikado. Originally set in Japan, Sasha Regan’s all-male remake stages this complex love story in Soho, London in the 1970’s.

Rock legends Hawkwind bring their legendary brand of rock to Truro.

And that wasn’t enough, experience a sensational line-up of live music from brass favourites Black Dyke Band, Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, and the best of the UK’s tribute acts, as they perform memorable songs from Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, Neil Diamond, Luther Vandross, Bruce Springsteen and ELO, plus Lost in Music – a sensational live disco covering hits from the 70s.

Family Highlights

There’s plenty to do for young theatregoers in 2023 too. Having already announced Peter Pan as our 2023 Christmas show (it’s never too early to start planning!) plus the already-announced Fireman Sam and Hey Duggee is Dragons and Mythical Beasts.

From the makes of Dinosaur World Live, enter a magical world with this brand-new interactive show for all the family! Unravel dark secrets and come face to face with magnificent monsters, unique unicorns, and familiar favourites like the Tooth Fairy. Just beware of the dragon…

Comedy

See the star of the UK’s most streamed Netflix comedy of 2021 as Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny 2.0 arrives on our stage. Be warned, it’s not a show for the faint hearted.

Documentary and Spoken Word

Following his 2022 sell-out tour, Steve Backshall’s ‘Ocean’ explores the mysteries of the deep and our connection with this underwater world.

Alan Fletcher, the star of TV hit Neighbours, reflects on his time as Ramsay Street’s most famous doctor, Karl Kennedy, in his intimate live show: The Doctor Will See You Now.

WHEN CAN I BOOK?

MEMBERS
Benefactor, Champion, Patron
MON 09 JAN
Supporter
FRI 13 JAN
Priority/Priority Plus
MON 16 JAN
ON SALE TO ALL
MON 23 JAN

 

Categories
Theatre

BEHIND THE SCENES OF TREASURE ISLAND

As sparkling reviews of our Treasure Island Christmas Show flood in, we sent Rhianna (our Marketing and Communications Executive) backstage to have a chat with Technical Manager Josh.

R: Tell us a bit about yourself.

J: Hey I'm Josh Reeves, Technical Manager at Hall for Cornwall, and Production Manager of Treasure Island. We're into the third week of Treasure Island and the second week of shows.

R: How long did it take you to assemble the set on stage?

J: It has taken roughly 1300 hours to get the show up and running and to where it is today.

R: Can you tell me a bit about the set and how it works?

J: Well we have 168 lights operating over head which help with things like scene transition and dance numbers. There are colourful curtains, platforms and moving components to transport you into the world of Treasure Island. We have all the elements – sand, fire, snow, shipwrecks – oh and plenty of coconuts! There are some other magical elements too which we're keeping secret for the live show.

R: Sounds very mysterious! What's it like working with the cast?

J: We have a really lively cast and crew, and everyone's always up for a laugh, back stage as well as on, so it's a lot of fun. And then there's Ed who plays a lively Long John Silver who really loves his jelly, so there's plenty of that too!

R: What do you get up to while the show is happening?

J: Other than making sure the lighting, sound and set are all running smoothly, we sometimes dance along at the side of the stage and joke around with the cast – it's a lot of fun!

R: What's your favourite part of the show?

J: If I was going to tell you my favourite part of the show, I'd be giving away a big secret, so you guys will have to come down and check it out for yourselves.

R: What would you say to anyone who hasn't seen it yet?

J: The show brings a lot of fun and there's something for all members of the family, so if you haven't seen it yet, I'd really recommend it!

Thanks Josh!

Photos by Hugh Hastings.

Categories
Christmas Theatre Truro

TREASURE ISLAND HAILED ‘A MASTERPIECE’: THE REVIEWS ARE IN!

Arrgghh ye’ ready to see what the critics think?

Our brand new Christmas show Treasure Island opened it’s doors on Thursday 1st December, and since then it’s been filling seats with children, parents and grandparents all eager to shout ‘he’s behind you!’

From the second that audiences filed in from the cold, jittering with anticipation, they were immersed in the world of Treasure Island. On one side, our Green Room Cafè had transformed into a treasure-filled tropical island with parrots, palms and plenty of booty…while our Playhouse Bar had turned into a pirate ship!

Once they’d filled up on festive hot chocolates, spicy nachos and warming Christmassy cocktails, audiences entered the auditorium, ready for the adventure of a lifetime…

So, what did they think? See for yourself!

From newspapers and critics to you, our lovely audience members, here’s some of our favourite reviews from the first week of opening…

‘The whole production was a masterpiece, and it was ‘ansome!’

The Packet Newspapers

‘M-arrrrr-vellous… a brilliantly Cornish production.’

Cornwall 365

‘It’ll make you proud to live in Cornwall.’

Cornwall Live

‘Entertained the small kids and the big kids, and on being asked what was the best bit; all of it, came the reply.’

Audience Member, Facebook

‘So joyful!’

Audience Member, Instagram

‘We couldn’t stop laughing the whole way through, absolutely wacky and bonkers in the best way possible and perfect for all the family.’

_stephbythesea_ on Instagram

‘Everyone put their heart and soul into it. Kernow King as Long John Silver was amazing!’

Audience Member, Facebook

 ‘A festive, feel-good evening, definitely a lasting memory made❤️’

gingerfamilylife on Instagram

Our cast and crew have been beaming all week at this overwhelmingly positive response. This is why we love what we do, because it brings a smile to so many faces when they need it most.

So put on your Captain’s hat and join in the fun this Christmas!

Grab your tickets and get ready to set sail for a swashbuckling show…

 

Categories
Events Theatre

Treasure Island Casting Announcement

Presenting the cast for Cornwall Playhouse’s Christmas Show: Treasure Island!

We are thrilled to welcome Edward Rowe (Bait, Alex Rider, House of the Dragon) starring as Long John Silver, alongside other artists such as Chloe Endean (Long Way Back, Sensibility, Bait), Ellie Leah (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie UK Tour, MAMMA MIA! International Tour, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast UK Tour), Ned Cooper (Doctors, Emmerdale), Pete Ashmore (RSC The Provoked Wife, National Theatre’s Macbeth, Silent Witness), Ricky Oakley (Hamlet at Shakespeare’s Globe, BBC Doctors), Joni Ayton-Kent (BBC Don’t Forget the Driver, Donmar Warehouse’s Sweet Charity) and Zahra Ahmadi (Doctor Who, Black Mirror, Death in Paradise).

We also welcome fresh faces Tamisa Chivandire (Guildford School of Acting) and Aidan Nightingale (Bodywork Cambridge International, National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, The Motown Pirates).

IFrame

Treasure Island is written and directed by Steve Marmion (Soho Theatre, PantoCo) whose work has featured in the West End and on Broadway. The Musical Director is Richard Healey. Lighting Design is by David Howe (Magic Goes Wrong, Starlight Express), Choreography by Melody Sinclair (SIX, ZooNation), Sound Design by James Clarke and Ciaran Clarke with Costume by Aly Fielden.

Treasure Island is presented by Cornwall Playhouse Productions.

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime this Christmas? Book tickets now!

Categories
Events Schools & Colleges Theatre

TREASURE ISLAND LIBRARY WORKSHOPS

Ahoy me hearties! Calling all mini-Pirates!

Are you looking for something different to do this October Half Term?

Come and join us for some pirate fun in your local library!

To celebrate our upcoming Christmas show, Treasure Island, young people across the county are invited to take part in a series of interactive workshops, led by our in-house community team Get Creative, in partnership with Cornwall Council Library Service. We’re combining plenty of pirate fun with the magic of storytelling, as we get ready to set sail through the deep and colourful seas of our imagination…

Take part in stories, dancing, craft activities, and games as we bring our band of pirates on tour for a week full of festive fun.

Fancy dress is encouraged, and just in time for Halloween week too! So come join our crew and say arrr! – this free activity is not one to be missed this half term!

Take a look below at your handy treasure map to find the library closest to you… X marks the spot on this quest for adventure!

Timetable of Events:

How to Book:

  • This stay and play session is free to attend.
  • Please contact your local library for more details.
  • Recommended ages: 4-10 years.

Looking to learn more about our Christmas Extravaganza Treasure Island? Bring along your first mate to one of our fun-filled workshops, or head to our show page, where you can also book tickets for the show…

TREASURE ISLAND: 01 – 31 DEC 2022

Categories
History Theatre

Painting the curtain

Painting the curtain

During the summer, the safety curtain which protects our stage had a makeover. The new design was hand-painted over several days by scenic artist Phil, pictured here; it reflects the generous support of our headline sponsor and also now includes titling in both Cornish and English. Behind every design is a craftsperson with a story. Phil’s story (and how he came to be on our stage) is intriguing, and we think his work is top notch.

Phil, who runs Vintage Sign Writing, worked at many regional theatres up and down the country, eventually becoming head scenic artist at Theatre Royal Plymouth where he worked on several West End productions prior to their transfer to London. One of Phil’s most notable jobs was painting the original production of Buddy.

Phil then retrained to work in secondary education, spending over 30 years as a secondary school teacher. Today you’ll find him teaching Art & Design at Bodmin Community College. To find an art teacher in a secondary school with a background in theatre is quite rare and it’s fair to say school productions have never been the same since.  In fact they’ve become something of an epic compared to what staff, students and parents might have expected.

 

It was after a chance meeting that he had with Hall for Cornwall Chief Executive and Creative Director Julien Boast, when Phil was painting a mural on the outside of Penngelly Garden Centre at Hewaswater, that the painting of the Safety Curtain came about. Julien was quick to spot the theatrical craftsmanship and asked Phil whether he’d do some work in the new Cornwall Playhouse.

Like so many people in the area, Phil’s Hall for Cornwall story goes back a long way: he has performed (on our old stage) in several amateur productions with Restormel Theatre Company including South Pacific, Hello Dolly and Barnum.

Look out for Phil’s fine work on our safety curtain next time you come into the Cornwall Playhouse – the safety curtain is often in place while the Ope Way is open, most days 11am-4pm, and usually appears before each show, during the interval and after each performance.

Categories
Architecture Creative Heritage History Theatre Truro

MEET THE OPE WAY

Ah, the ‘in-the-know’ pleasure of an ope – the tiny opening between tightly-packed buildings often found in Cornish fishing and mining communities. And earlier this month we cut the ribbon on the Cornwall Playhouse’s own spin on this tradition: The Ope Way is our name for the area at the back of the stalls (ground floor) in our new theatre, which connects the Playhouse Bar (and our Boscawen Street entrance) with the Quay and the Green Room Café. Is it a shortcut between two Truro shopping streets? Or a cut-through to the box office? Or simply an excuse to have a nose at what’s happening in Cornwall Playhouse on any given day? Try it yourself and tell us!

 

The pioneering idea of the Ope Way was a key part of our vision for the ‘new’ building, it forms part of our new Heritage Trail, and we’re thrilled to share it with you. Of course The Ope Way won’t always be open – some theatre secrets are best kept until showtime!