Truro theatre Hall for Cornwall has marked it’s half a millionth visitor since the venue reopened in October 2021, after a major £26m transformation.
The milestone is equivalent to the entire population of Cornwall and was celebrated by an unsuspecting Peter Pan audience.
During a matinee of the pantomime, the 500,000th visitor, Kathy Kirby, and her family were surprised by an exclusive meet-and-greet with the cast, and the presentation of a special prize.
This included a 500-day VIP membership to the theatre, and a family ticket to Jack and the Beanstalk, Hall for Cornwall’s 2024 Christmas show.
Julien Boast, chief executive of Hall for Cornwall, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the loyalty and enthusiasm of our audiences since reopening, and this milestone marks a monumental moment for us.
"Thanks to the snowballing success of Peter Pan, that moment has come a month earlier than anticipated. And it feels fitting that it should have happened during our Christmas show, which is proudly made in Cornwall every year.”
Over the past two years, Cornwall’s only largescale indoor theatre has attracted visitors from far and wide to experience the best of the West End, world-class productions, and a showcase of breathtaking Cornish talent.
Funding for the eye-catching and award-winning renovation allowed Hall for Cornwall to increase capacity of their Grade II listed building – maximising capacity for larger touring shows.
The reopening also marked the birth of Cornwall Playhouse Productions, a brand-new in-house production company showcasing an array of ‘Made in Cornwall’ shows.
Since 2021, the team behind Cornwall Playhouse Productions have dedicated themselves to producing and supporting new Cornish work. To date, they’ve produced proper Cornish renderings of Cinderella and Treasure Island, co-produced the smash-hit Fisherman’s Friends The Musical, and worked with world-class musician Carleen Anderson on Melior Opus Griot.
The 2023 production of Peter Pan is the third Christmas show from Cornwall Playhouse Productions. Respected industry newspaper The Stage gave the show a glowing 4-star review, branding it a ‘cracking panto at an affordable price’ with ‘pitch perfect’ performances.
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Julien added: “When we reopened, we pledged to be a theatre for all, by improving our accessibility and reaching out to communities who have never visited the theatre before.
"With tickets starting at £15, a quietly revolutionary ‘Ticket’ Bank, donations from members, and support from our funders, we’ve been able to welcome visitors from all backgrounds to enjoy the magic of theatre.”
Hall for Cornwall continues to work with the community in a variety of ways. As well as improving access to their shows, they send out people across The Duchy through their Get Creative programme, supported by DHL. Through school partnerships, youth performance programmes and work with community groups, this team has helped more than 20,000 young people become inspired by theatre since 2021.
Helen Tiplady, deputy creative director of Hall for Cornwall, said: “The passion, grit and creativity of local performers has captivated us. It’s so important that we continue to show the world the talent thriving in Cornwall.
"Since 2021, we’ve worked with thousands of young people from nursery to further education, enthusing them to take to the stage and show the world what Cornwall has to offer.”
As 2024 dawns, Hall for Cornwall looks to the future (and the next half-million customers) with the continued ambition to maximise the potential of our region.
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