The revival of Redruth as a vibrant cultural destination continues with the announcement of Harbour Festival - a new international festival of theatre being staged in the town this September.
Brought about by the team behind the renovation of the town’s much loved Passmore Edwards building The Ladder, the event will celebrate the stories of sanctuary and the journeys that brought people to Cornwall.
Tickets for the headline events went on sale this week – with more events due to be added to the line-up over the coming weeks - as the festival team announced the first wave of artists.
Audiences can expect unconventional and unique theatre – from the brave music theatre of Ukrainian performance artists Hooligan Art Community to the farewell stage show from Men Are Singing, Cornwall's alternative male voice choir conducted and directed by Seamas Carey.
Discover the internationally renowned Ontroerend Goed - a Belgian, Ghent-based theatre performance group and their mesmerising sensorial experiences to Panta Rei’s Petals and Tales, bringing a magic tree with hundreds of flower petals to Kresen Kernow to tell young audiences the tale of The Flowerpot Man.
No Fit State Circus brings captivating feats of strength and agility as they build towering sculptures six metres high, with physical comedy and awe-inspiring moments to wow audience members.
And for families attending the festival, By Trial and Error - from French company Compagnie Content Pour Peu - is a delightful family show of acrobatic lifts, full of humour borrowed from burlesque and silent cinema, where the audience is constantly surprised by the antics and skill of the performers.
Felix Mortimer, Harbour Festival co-creator, said: “Cornwall’s heritage is rich with international stories. Once a prehistoric port to the Phonecians – and with a patron saint who arrived here from Ireland - our relationship with the stories of our closest neighbours stretches back thousands of years.”
He added: “Harbour is programmed to embody the welcoming spirit of the town and this has been reflected in our artists being hosted so well by its residents.”
Co-director Joshua Nawras explains: “Artists unfamiliar with Cornwall visited us for a month – and working with local organisations, together they have created a celebratory piece responding to the county’s landscape and identity. We are delighted to have put together a programme which brings critically acclaimed international artists to work with Cornish creatives to tell important stories together.”
Cllr Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for economy, said: “Harbour Festival builds on the strength of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s unique culture, heritage and creative industries by attracting international theatre companies to develop new pieces of work alongside local organisations.
“Through the Good Growth programme, we have identified the important role that events and culture play in addressing the challenges that our communities and places face – from attracting visitors outside of our traditional tourism season to creating new employment and talent development opportunities.”
Harbour Festival runs residencies throughout the year, bringing Cornish community organisations together with international artists. These stories are then developed into fully-formed theatre to form part of the festival.
For more information on the festival, visit: https://www.harbourfest.co.uk/
To book tickets for the announced events, visit: https://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/whats-on/harbour-festival/