Drama, Applied Theatre and Education Students Return to Cornwall
From Monday 15 – Friday 19 June, Central students studying on the BA (Hons) Drama, Applied Theatre and Education course return to The Minack Theatre with their devised production of The Friends of Narcissus.
This new-look Central show is for adults and young people alike by talented guest director Vishni Velada Bilson and her team. Friends of Narcissus is a story for our times – of social media promoting vanity and self-love, and our ‘true’ selves remaining hidden – like the nymph Echo in her cave. This is an epic tale that mixes ancient mythology, local folklore and contemporary challenges into an exhilarating family show.
Alongside the production, a company of students will also embark on an ‘Under 5’s Tour’ throughout Cornwall from Monday 15 – Friday 19 June. Touring to village halls, primary schools and nurseries in West Cornwall, this project builds on BA (Hons) Drama, Applied Theatre and Education’s long standing relationship with the area, and on its investigation of theatre for all ages. Under the direction of storyteller Sam Adams and visual artist Liz Atkin, the group has created a brand new play specifically for an audience of children under five years old. Based on traditional tales, the performance is warm, welcoming and fun.
Central has a long history in Cornwall and at the Minack Festival, having been performing annually in Prothcurno since 1994. Central’s first production at Minack, Head of Snakes, focused on the Perseus myth. The following year, production Merlin’s Child dovetailed with a tour of primary schools and a series of pre-show workshops for local children. This outreach work was only the beginning, and led to successive years running residencies at St Levan’s Primary School and in special needs schools at Camborne, Nancealverne and Penzance.
Of the production and tour, Professor Sally Mackey, Central’s Professor of Applied Theatre and Performance and Pro-Dean (Programmes), said:
“Central has a long and rich association with the Minack Theatre and Cornwall and I am excited that such a talented team will be returning for this year’s show – a show that is exciting, modern and fun!”
Dr Stephen Farrier, Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for Drama, Applied Theatre and Education said:
“This year we return to the Minack Theatre with a successful production team who have produced a vibrant and energetic show that blends myth with contemporary song and an ancient story with social media. The junk orchestra in the show is fantastic and speaks to themes about the pollution of our seas.”