Another stellar summer of theatre and music came to an end at the Minack this week. The season which began at Easter with a family musical based on the legend of The Mermaid of Zennor, drew to its close with the premiere of Making a Killing, by Ben Kernow and his Cornish theatre company, Ha Hum Ah Productions. Out of a season including 43 different plays, musicals and music events, 30% were by Cornish companies or performers.
At the end of each season, the Minack traditionally awards the Minack Trophy to the company which, in the view of audiences and the Minack staff, have produced the best overall production. This year, for the first time, 2 companies have tied for the top spot.
London-based British Theatre Academy has brought many memorable shows to the Minack. This year’s production of The Who’s Tommy was a daring choice, which wowed audiences and won standing ovations every night. The young cast gave breathtaking performances, and the spine-tingling rock opera score was thrillingly performed by the band, led by well-known Cornish MD, Millie Millington.
They share the Trophy with a thoroughly Cornish company, Bodkin Theatre, for their production of Miss Benson’s Beetle. Adapted by Ben Oldfield from the novel by best-selling author, Rachel Joyce, this quirky, inspiring story of two women on a quest for a legendary insect, enchanted audiences, with vivid, imaginative staging and outstanding performances by Lucy Morgan and Bethany Merryn as the unlikely adventurers.
Director of the Minack, Rebecca Thomas, explains: “The standard was so high this year, we couldn’t pick a single winner. These two, very different productions were each in their own way outstanding examples of creative theatre and great entertainment.”
Three other productions were also highly commended: Les Misérables : Let the People Sing, a co-production by Helston Theatre Company, Redruth Amateur Musical & Pantomime Society, St Austell Amateur Operatic Society & Truro Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society, presented as part of the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical; The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, (Next Stage Theatre Company); and Shakespeare in Love (Shattered Windscreen Theatre Company).
Rebecca Thomas comments,” To have so many memorable productions in one season is a fantastic achievement, and we’d like to thank and congratulate all the companies concerned for bringing such great entertainment to our theatre and audiences this year.
“We’re particularly excited that two of them are Cornish companies. Part of our remit at the Minack is to encourage and support great Cornish theatre, whether professional or from the community. We’ve been thrilled with the quality of work produced by local companies this year. And we’re proud of the ones we’ve developed ourselves, which include The Mermaid of Zennor, Northanger Abbey, Pearl o’ Wisdom and co-production Making a Killing.”
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