An original lyrical theatre production, interweaved with live shanty singing and hymns of the sea, will begin its tour of Cornish coastal communities in Falmouth this month.
The Coastguard’s Daughter, from Canvas Theatre, tells the true and almost forgotten tale of a Cornish community reacting to the perils and difficulties of war.
Four professional actors will perform with local community choirs at each tour location to bring to life the story of Mrs Helena McDiarmid, the coastguard’s wife, and her two teenage daughters. In 1915 the head coastguard of one maritime village, and his crew, left their posts in order to enlist in the First World War. His daughters volunteered to take up their father’s mantle, undertaking the responsibility of the perilous post, looking out over the boats and the bay, staying strong and lighting the way.
The Coastguard’s Daughter was written by Olivia Lowry and is directed by Rosanna Elliott, and returns to Cornwall following rave reviews and a sold out run in 2016.
Rosanna Elliott said: "We are absolutely thrilled to be touring The Coastguard’s Daughter, Olivia is an extremely talented new writer and her story tells a tale of ordinary young women who took on an important role in their community to save the lives of others. It is a story that both celebrates and laments the truth of what it is to live by the sea. We have chosen to work with a different singing group or choir in each venue, which means each show will have a new and unique identity true to the creation of the people involved."
To continue the legacy of the project, the production will be collecting stories from the communities it visits which will be archived through The National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth.
The National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth will also be hosting a launch event on September 27, followed by a second public performance on November 2.
The museum’s head of public programming Stuart Slade said: "We are incredibly proud to be hosting the launch of this exciting and innovative theatre tour, which links so powerfully to our maritime collections and brings to life an important story from Cornwall’s maritime heritage.!
The Coastguard’s Daughter will tour to Charlestown, St Just, Golant, Falmouth, Truro, Cadgwith, Tywardeath, Callington, Mousehole and Maker with Rame, from October 8 to November 26.
Tickets are £10, available via 01726 879 500 or at crbo.co.uk and more information can be found at canvastheatre.co.uk
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