By Hugh Hastings Funny how some memories stick around a whole lifetime: I can still recall the day in 1968 when I was an eleven year old schoolboy at Colet Court in Hammersmith, London and the headmaster brought the morning assembly to an abrupt halt to introduce the school to two young men who would be writing an end-of-term musical for us to perform. From beneath the balcony where I was sat with my classmates ambled two young men towards the headmaster who introduced them as Tim and Andrew and we were told to do whatever they required in the creation of their second ever work, ‘Joseph & ..read more

By Sam Rankin Shakespeare Nation Producer at Hall for Cornwall All good things must come to an end… Now that the dust has settled on what was a busy production weekend, I find myself reflecting on the rehearsal process from the last couple of months. Twelfth Night was perhaps the most ambitious Shakespeare Nation project to date. Under the masterful direction of Alister & Miranda from Prodigal UPG, we all knew we were in safe hands from the off. The focus very much on the text itself this time round, and a group of community actors have spent the last three months working on wha ..read more

By HELEN TIPLADY Deputy Creative Director Acclaimed recording artist Carleen Anderson is testament to the kind of creative talent we back, now and in the future. With Hall for Cornwall in its new guise there’s opportunity for us to be the instigator of innovative new work and our building the canvas for new ideas, so expect more of both. Hall for Cornwall first collaborated on Carleen’s 2018 stage production that she described as her ‘Tribal Opera’, otherwise known as Cage Street Memorial. In its early development Arts Council England provided funding to workshop it and the work garnered hig ..read more

By HELEN TIPLADY Deputy Creative Director If you’re reading this, you’ve probably been to the theatre. Or to a theatrical or live experience. Because surely everyone’s been to the theatre? Whilst research shows that more people attend the theatre than football matches, for some stepping into a theatre is daunting. It can be perceived as a club for other people. What are the rules? Is it like cinema? Can I go for a pee? What do I wear? What if I’ve got nobody to go with? What if I don’t like the show? These are the kind of questions we get asked. Our goal is to make the experience of coming to ..read more

James Rampton chats to Sir Tim Rice about his life, career and forthcoming UK theatre tour My Life In Musicals – I Know Him So Well. Q: What great news that you are touring the country with your terrific new show, My Life In Musicals – I Know Him So Well. What made you want to go on the road? A: I’ve done quite a few shows like this, mainly for charities. And then I was offered a fairly regular gig on a cruise liner, and I really enjoyed doing that. The show would be me chatting, introducing the songs, most of which I’m very happy to say are quite well known, and telling what are, I hope, amus ..read more

By Helen Tiplady, Deputy Creative Director of Hall for Cornwall – and Get Creative leader. A flash dance in Victoria Gardens, a workshop with Rambert – and a trip we’ll never forget. Our Youth Dance group take a trip to the Capital City!   Day One: The Place! Our HFC Youth Dancers travelled in style and arrived at The Place where we were met by two alumni students Jacy and Lilia who are in their 1st and 2nd year training there. Talia Sealey (who also trained at The Place and is Youth Dance alumni from a few years ago) led a contemporary class to kick start our 3 days of dance. We finish ..read more

There’s something magical about taking your little ones to the theatre… A place where switching off devices and living in the moment is part of the experience! And trust us when we say there’s no better feeling than watching your child’s face light up when their favourite characters come to life on stage. So if you’re still searching for something fun and different to do with the family this year in Cornwall, we have just the thing… Meet your favourite characters! This year, TV star Bluey and her family are coming to Truro! Plus some other family favourites… THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD TUE 19 ..read more

By JULIEN BOAST Chief Executive & Creative Director Photography by Hugh Hastings Our CEO and Creative Director Julien Boast lifts the lid on the story around the birth of the Cornwall Playhouse in 2021, and the challenges of delivering the UK’s most westerly largescale theatre… It wasn’t only the building that craved a reset, the whole organisation needed a rethink to realise its true potential. My aspirations to turn Hall for Cornwall from a venue with its roots as a city hall into one of the most respected UK regional theatres were forged early on. Whilst regional theatre has been ..read more

As Peter Pan enters it’s final week of magical performances, we’re delighted to welcome a very special guest. Since our grand re-opening in October 2021 after a major £26m transformation, we welcomed our 500,000th visitor Kathy and her family. The milestone is a big one for us, as it’s the same number as the entire population of Cornwall! During a matinee of Peter Pan, Kathy and her family were surprised by an exclusive meet-and-greet with the cast, and the presentation of a special prize which included a 500-day VIP membership, and a family ticket to Jack and the Beanstalk, our 2024 Christmas ..read more

Second star to the right, and straight on ’till morning! Peter Pan has flown into Truro with a bang as press from far and wide piled into their seats and braced for a magical adventure. As Peter, Wendy and the Lost Boys (played by local young actors) took flight to Neverland, the audience gasped with joy – and for older members, childhood memories flooded back. This year, were pleased to welcome back our youth ensemble to take part in Peter Pan. To add a special Cornish twist to the show, we cast children from local schools as the Lost Boys and Wendy’s siblings John and Michael. We received ..read more