When Fisherman’s Friends – The Musical returns to the Hall For Cornwall in Truro from April 11 to 22, it brings with it returning cast member – and son of St Austell – Robert Duncan.

Based on the motion picture which in turn fictionalised the true story of Port Isaac’s shanty singers, the show premiered in October 2021 to nightly standing ovations at the refurbished Hall For Cornwall. It has since been refreshed to include content from the film sequel and more original music - a cast recording is due for release.

Robert plays fisherman Jago, and is one of a handful of cast members to have been with the show since the beginning. He describes the premiere as “a joyous occasion”, heightened by the fact that the theatre had reopened after a two-year revamp and the restrictions of covid-19.

“Every night, audiences were screaming ‘Oggy oggy oggy!’, and singing Trelawny,” he recalls. “I felt privileged to come back as a Cornishman, and to be given the opportunity to open the theatre with a show as Cornish as this.”

Robert was born and brought up in St Austell, attending Mount Charles primary school and Penrice when it was a secondary modern. One of four siblings, his original surname was Welch (he adopted his brother’s first name for the stage).

“My father was in the Navy, but came home when my mother contracted TB and had to spend time at the open-air sanatorium at Tehidy. Nonetheless, I had a very happy home life.”

The Welches attended Bridge Methodist Church. “It wasn’t fire and brimstone, but very traditional with a strong and fervent presence. It had quite a visceral effect on me as a child - I played John Wesley in a touring production.”

His love of drama was nurtured at Penrice, and young Robert joined St Austell Arts Club. “Taking big parts gave me a lot of confidence. We also had the luxury of taking months to put a show on – as a pro it can be a matter of weeks.”

In the early 1970s, Robert applied to drama school, but lacked funds and trained to be a reporter instead. He would later attend Lamda - “David Penhaligon managed to get me an award for my last term” - and has been acting since 1980.

One of his first roles was as Clay Country poet Jack Clemo in the TV film A Different Drummer. “I had seen pictures of him as a child and they frightened me,” he admits. 

“I had just left drama school and, having been invited to audition, I thought I’d better read some of his work. I went to the library on my way to catch the train. Two poems really struck me as powerful, and they were the ones I was asked to recite at the audition. I got the part – it was meant to be.”

Fast forward to the age of 70, and Robert finds himself cast in a musical for the first time. He even has a solo: Sea Fever. “We have good fun and I think it shows,” he says. “I’ve nothing but the most profound respect for the musicians, some of whom also act. It’s very physical.

“The music appeals to all ages. The drinking and carousing – it’s feel-good and catchy, and good to feel part of, whether you’re Cornish or not.” That said, the show isn’t afraid of touching upon more political themes, such as second home ownership, although “not in a heavy sledgehammer fashion”.

The musical is starting to gain traction beyond the UK, with cast and crew travelling to Toronto last November for a two-month run. 

“We were met by a deputation of people with Cornish heritage, all with St Piran flags and tartan. They were so pleased to see us and they really enjoyed the show. It goes to show it doesn’t matter where you go, there’s a Cornishman at the bottom of every hole.” There’s a rumour the show will go to Australia “but I’m a bit too old for that,” he laughs.

Having also performed in Into The Night, a stage play adaptation of Penlee: The Loss of a Lifeboat by Michael Sagar-Fenton, it’s clear Robert is still a St Austell boy at heart.

“One chap told me when I was younger: ‘You never forget the ground from which you’re dug.’ It meant a lot to me then and still does,” he says. 

“No matter where you go, the county has a huge pull on its people – we are all Cousin Jacks. 

“Joyce once said, it’s only once you leave a place that you can see it for what it is, and the love you have for it.”

Fisherman’s Friends the Musical is at Hall for Cornwall from April 11 to 22. Tickets at hallforcornwall.co.uk