The Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Cornwall

You might be forgiven for thinking that the dramatic setting for The Minack Theatre dates back to Roman times. In fact, this much loved outdoor theatre was the vision of Rowena Cade and was built during the 20th century in the Porthcurno area of West Cornwall.

Minack is an old Cornish word meaning “rocky place” and indeed originally the location was a mere coastal gully filled with the usual gorse bushes and sea gulls; that was until Rowena got her hands on it of course!

Rowena Cade was the daughter of a cotton mill owner in Spondon, Derbyshire and she was born in August 1893. Her family had lived in an impressive house known as “The Homestead” for many years and Rowena was part of the fifth generation of her family to reside there. She was the second of four children and certainly during the pre-war years enjoyed a privileged lifestyle.

In January of 1902 Rowena stepped into the realm of theatre, starring in the lead role of her mother’s production of “Alice Through The Looking Glass” at the tender age of just 8½.

Upon her father’s retirement the family moved to Cheltenham in 1906. Family connections had a hand in the chosen town and the family moved into the former home of novelist Sir Walter Scott known as “Ellerslie”.

Rowena continued to enjoy a comfortable life as a young lady, until the outbreak of World War I in 1914. The estate of Sir John Gilbey provided Rowena with the opportunity to help with the breaking of horses before they were deployed to France and Belgium. During her time on the estate she experienced a complete reverse of accommodation, as Rowena lived in an old shepherd’s caravan during this chapter of her life.

Rowena and her mother were unable to settle for some time after the war. The family home in Cheltenham was sold, as unfortunately this time also witnessed the death of her father.

Eventually the two ladies made arrangements to rent a property in Lamorna close to the Minack headland; the headland which Rowena subsequently purchased for the price of £100. Work on Minack House was started, with the extensive use of granite from a local quarry.

The love of all things theatrical was evident in the household and many self-made productions were hosted at the house during the 1920’s, during which time Rowena’s particular penchant for costumes rose to the surface.

In 1929 a production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” was staged not far inland from the coast. So rapturous was its reception that demands were made for a repeat performance the following year in 1930. The only downside was that some of the costumes were by this time somewhat snug!
A suggestion was put forward for the production of “The Tempest” next and the dramatic surroundings of the Minack headland were considered absolutely ideal.  Rowena wondered if it would be at all possible to construct a stage of some sort in the windswept gully to accommodate the production – the answer was a resounding yes we can all conclude!

Work commenced and Rowena assisted by two local craftsmen set to work constructing a simple stage and some basic seating facilities. After six months the first attempt at a theatre setting was ready, it was the start of great things to come in the future.

Summer 1932 and the performance opened of “The Tempest” with the moon shining across Porthcurno Bay. Additional lighting was provided by car headlights, batteries and a weak connection running down from Minack House.

So successful was the first production that it attracted an article to be written in The Times. All participants realised that they had started something special that just had to carry on.

Over the coming years the Minack Theatre was truly born, that was until World War II put pay to their endeavours. By the end of the war a combination of coastal clearances and Cornish weather had all but put Rowena back to where she started in 1932. People today still recall of how she wriggled under the barbed wire defences to cut the grass during the war, a real indication of her love for the theatre that she was determined to create.

Work started in earnest after the end of the war to restore the theatre and breathe new life into it once more. A decision was taken to separate the theatre from Minack House due to the popularity of the performances.

Funds would not allow for the use of granite, so Rowena developed a technique to utilise cement, which she decorated with the tip of a screwdriver in Celtic designs and intricate lettering before the cement hardened.

The Minack Theatre has gone from strength to strength over the years, largely due to the personal funding and dedication of Rowena Cade. She worked on her beloved theatre right into her mid-eighties, including through some of the harshest Cornish winters. Rowena passed away just prior to celebrating her 90th birthday, leaving behind sketches and plans of how she envisaged the theatre in the coming years. The theatre’s trustees are keen to carry out her wishes in the fullness of time, as and when funds allow.

The Minack Theatre opens its doors all year round and the actual times are dependent upon the time of year and performances.

There is plenty for visitors to see and do, quite apart from enjoying the performances.
The theatre is open to explore during the day (performance permitting) including the impressive sub-tropical gardens. Light meals and drinks are served in the coffee shop which also offers a beautiful view across Porthcurno Bay. Gifts, books and plants are available to buy in the gift shop, along with a wide array of souvenirs with a Minack Theatre theme.

Admission currently during the day is:

Adult £3.50, Over 60’s £2.50, Under 16’s £1.40 and Under 12’s free (please note that certain conditions apply to the free admission of the under 12’s).

These prices are not for performances; these are for admission to the theatre complex itself.

Details of performances together with plenty of other useful information can be found on the theatre’s website at www.minack.com