World premier of Cornish play

11:40am Thursday 22nd November 2007

The world premiere of a new Cornish play, The Zig Zag Way, will take place at the Tolmen Centre, Constantine, on Thursday November 29.

Based on the influence of Cornish mining in Mexico and adapted from Anita Desai's novel of the same name by Cornish playwright Pauline Sheppard, the Zig Zag Way will also be performed at Cape Cornwall School, St Just in Penwith on Friday November 30 and at Calstock Village Hall on Saturday December 1.

The World Heritage Site Cultural Programme commissioned The Cornish Theatre Collective and Carn to Cove to produce the play. Director, Rosie Hughes, of Falmouth, commented: "This is a tale about excavating the past and searching for a sense of identity in an ever-changing world. The themes are universal but the content has a strong local connection."

The story concerns Eric, an awkward and uncertain young American man, who longs to be a writer and who travels to Mexico on a curious quest for his Cornish roots, unprepared for what he will find.

Led by Huichol Indian guides, he journeys to an old mining village on an unlikely path of self-discovery, and soon finds himself in another world.

The Zigzag way is a gripping story, which winds through cultures and across time to paint a picture of love, revolution, and sacrifice. Blending humour with pathos and past with present, this haunting and arresting tale finally leads you to a night where the veils that separate life and death are lifted and the illusion of time is broken: Dia de los Muertos - the Mexican Day of the Dead.

Cornwall County Council's Executive Member for Environment and Heritage, Adam Paynter, said: "I am so excited that we are giving people the unique chance to see this premiere. The production promises some strong ensemble playing and some inventive staging, which combine with its connection to Cornish mining heritage and the history of Cornish emigration, to give it a powerfully strong appeal."

All performances start at 7.30 and tickets can be booked as follows: The Tolmen Centre, Constantine 01326 341353, Cape Cornwall School, St Just 01726 879500, and Calstock Village Hall 01822 832414 or go to www.carntocove.co.uk