Company Information
Welcome to the Minack!
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Performing at the Minack is truly magical!
We have put together a summary of the basic information you need to know before you perform here - whether that's what our facilities look like, how to use our stage, how to order food or what information you need to provide us and when. There are quick links to PDF's below and further information in the drop down sections below.
Please share this page with your production team and ensure that ALL company members receive a copy of the 'Information for Company Members 2026' document.
We hope you find this page useful.
If you require further help or information please feel free to drop us an email:
Ticketing, Programmes and Food & Drink
Box Office Service
- The Minack Theatre provides box office services as an agent for the hirer and applies a ticket handling fee to all ticket sales.
- The box office is open 10am–4pm for telephone bookings and general enquiries.
- You can contact the team on 01736 810181 or at [email protected].
- Ticket prices are set by the Minack Theatre using standard pricing bands and light touch dynamic pricing (a 10% increase at 75% capacity, and another 10% at 85%, unless otherwise agreed).
- After your final performance, you will receive a full box office return within 48 hours, followed by a contra account of your income less hire fee within 5 days.
Ticket Concessions
- At least 48 hours of priority booking for Minack members and Supporters (maximum priority booking of one week).
- 50% discount for children under 16.
- Free tickets for carers.
- Complimentary tickets for the hirer and the venue, as set out in your agreement.
- Any unused company complimentary tickets will be released for general sale 48 hours before the first performance.
How Sales Work
- We aim to promote all events together during autumn/winter, ahead of public sales opening in January/February (specific dates will be listed in your agreement).
- Ticket sales close at the start time of the performance.
- Sales reports can be scheduled for automatic delivery, usually on Mondays.
- All tickets are issued as digital print at home tickets.
Cancellations & Refunds
- If an event is cancelled or rescheduled, all tickets are refunded, and any new date is treated as a fresh event.
- The default policy is no refunds, unless otherwise specified.
- Refunds or transfers can be arranged, with an agency fee charged to customers.
You have 6 complimentary tickets per show for your company that are available to book up to 48 hours before your first performance. After this point they will be released for general sale.
You will be issued with a company code that you can pass on to company members to book these tickets via our box office on 01736 810181. Please note these tickets can only be booked over the phone and will be done so on a first come first served basis so please manage how the 6 per performance are to be used amongst your company.
Please let us know in advance if you’d like to use these tickets in another way, such as in a giveaway competition or as prizes in a raffle, for example – it just helps us to know, in case we get questions, and we can join in the conversation about how best to do this.
To book your comp tickets, please phone our lovely box office team on 01736 810181, tell them which company you are phoning from, and quote the ‘comp code’ which can be found in your contract schedule (ending in ‘26’). You or your guests will receive their tickets via email.
You are welcome to sell programmes before/during/after your shows. We will not take a commission for this or ask for a fee. You will need to bring your own seller(s) and cash/card machine.
The designated area is near the gates, just inside the car park. The gates will open 1 hour before the show start time, so we recommend the sellers be set up for then to maximise sales from the incoming crowd.
Please note that there is no under cover area here.
There are tables, wifi, and lighting for when it gets dark.
You are welcome to stay ‘open’ for the whole performance, and during an interval if there is one. Similarly, you are welcome to catch the out-going crowd after your show is finished.
Alternatively, if you would prefer to offer a digital, downloadable programme for free to audience members we can put this on our website for you.
There is a kitchen with a microwave, kettle, cutlery, crockery and fridge located at the top of the dressing rooms. This is yours to use for the duration of your run, please just keep every clean and tidy and as you found it.
We also have two food outlets on site:
The Cafe is at the top of the theatre and offers sandwiches made on demand, soup, cakes, other snacks and hot drinks. The Cafe is open from 10am and until 45 minutes before the site closes.
The Terrace is the hatch halfway down the steps, which offers hot drinks, pre-made sandwiches, pasties and other snacks. This is generally open from 10.30 to 3pm during the daytimes, then is open 1 hour before the show and in the interval if there is one.
Both of these outlets may be hugely busy during peak times, so we advise pre-ordering where possible and if you require more than a couple of items of food as we only typically hold enough stock for visitors and audience members.
With your wristband you will get a discount on most items in our outlets (also applied when pre-ordering); please do show it to the staff member serving you.
There are two ways a company food pre-order can be handled:
- Pre-Order via Email
- The company will receive a menu and an order form in advance.
- If they choose to pre-order, they must complete the form and return it at least 24 hours in advance to [email protected].
- Payment Options
- Single Group Payment: If the company is paying with one payment, we will issue an invoice for payment via BACS. Once payment is received, the food will be delivered to the dressing rooms at their requested time.
- Individual Payments: If individuals are paying separately, they must collect and pay for their food from the Terrace
Performing, Stage Use and Weather
The Minack is a much loved heritage site, tourist attraction and garden, as well as a working theatre. As such there are many diverse things happening across the site at any one time. We tell you all of this so that you know what to expect, why it's essential that company’s stick to the access times, and so you can see how your event will feed into the wider Minack programme.
A typical week at the Minack might include the following:
7 days a week: The Minack is open to the public from 10am each day up until 1.5hrs before the performance start time. Our café is open to the public from 10am, followed by the Terrace at 10.30am.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: Mark Harandon telling the story of Billy Rawlings who built the theatre with Rowena Cade, on the stage from 10.30am to 1.30pm (Mark is mic’d, but informally performs to a gathered audience of day-ticket holders).
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: a Storytelling performance takes place from 4pm for 60 minutes, during school holidays only.
Wednesday: garden tours take place in the morning, lead by our expert gardening team.
Saturday, Sunday: incoming company arrive from 8am on Saturday morning and rehearse all weekend, culminating in a dress rehearsal (closed to the public) on Sunday evening.
Monday to Thursday: theatrical performances in the evenings, with matinees on Tuesday and Thursday.
Friday: a one-off musical event with get-in and get-out on the same day.
We also have an entire charitable Educational arm of the organisation which runs Acting, Musical and Technical Academies, Play in A Day events, development with emerging playwrights, and also invites schools to participate in workshops on the stage, which all happen at different times across the season.
As such, parking is at a premium – please park where our car park staff tell you to. They do this so we can fit as many audience members in as possible!
We may ask you to stagger your arrival times for your rehearsals or shows depending on what is happening in the theatre that day; if for example, you are due to arrive at 5pm, that might be when an audience of 500 people are coming out of a storytelling event and are wanting to drive down the hill and through the valley. It would be ideal all round to wait 30 minutes (or arrive 30 minutes earlier) to avoid creating traffic jams.
The Minack is difficult to access, any set or props will need to be carried down over 100 steps to the stage. Please consider this when designing the sets.
Crew for get-in and get out can be organised via a subcontractor. The Venue can provide the Hirer with details on request but we recommend asking for this in plenty of time to avoid disappointment!
The Hirer shall have access to the dressing rooms, stage and backstage areas from 2 hours before curtain up unless otherwise agreed. These are also down a flight steps and are not accessible to all.
The Minack operates as a visitor attraction 10am to 6pm when no performance is in progress. This includes during get-ins, rehearsals and get-outs.
The Minack may schedule other performances during the Hirer’s occupancy of the theatre. These will generally be storytelling performances or other ‘pop-up’ performances. These performers will not access the dressing rooms occupied by the Hirer (except for the Rehearsal Room if not being used by the Hirer).
All members of the Hirer’s company will be issued with ‘Minack’ company wrist bands – these must be worn at all times when on the site except during performances. Family and friends who are helping with the get-in get out will be issued with a red band. This will enable them access to the Venue for the get-in, get-out times only. If they wish to watch a performance the Hirer must book them complimentary tickets using the booking system online or the box office.
Dressing Rooms
When you perform at the Minack Theatre, you’ll be allocated dressing room space that best suits your event. Music gigs are typically given the rehearsal room, while theatre companies use the dedicated dressing rooms. The outline below should help you get your bearings and feel comfortable in the backstage areas.
The Minack’s backstage space is arranged across four floors, all accessed from stage right, just off the roundel section, via a short flight of steps.
Stage Level (First Floor)
- Prop store
- Technical store
- Kitchenette
- Small toilet
One Floor Down
- Rehearsal room
- Additional small kitchenette
- Two separate closet toilets
- Access to the backstage path and outdoor smoking area
Two Floors Down
- Upper dressing room (seating for up to 20 people)
- Laundry room with washing machine, tumble dryer and drying cabinet
Lower Floor (Final Staircase Down)
- Dressing room (Seating for up to 10 people)
- Shower
- Access to a balcony space with chairs and tables
The relationship between the stage and the seating is unusual at the Minack, as is the size and shape of the stage. It is therefore important that rehearsals should be directed from a number of angles and that the sight lines should be checked.
Unlike most theatres, the strongest acting positions are towards the back of the stage. This is due to a combination of factors including the exceptionally wide arc of the stage, the steep rake of the auditorium and the restricted visibility of the front of the stage, particularly when there is a large audience. Actors often instinctively move towards the front of the stage and the director should pre-empt this by setting important action in the upstage areas.
There are some ‘blind spots’ on the stage. Please make sure that action which is critical to the play does not take place in these areas. A plan of these areas will be available with the tech specifications.
A member of the Minack team will watch the Hirer’s rehearsals, particularly over the get-in weekend. They may make suggestions that would improve the Hirer’s production. the Hirer should not disregard their advice.
Where the Hirer’s Creative Team and Company are new to the Minack, a member of the Minack team may request to watch earlier rehearsals at the Hirer’s rehearsal venue.
Other Useful Information
The Minack is in an exposed location and performances will only be cancelled in the case of extreme weather where there is a health and safety risk to performers, crew, staff, or audience. The Hirer must be prepared to perform in a variety of weather, including rain, wind and heat. Therefore, the Venue requires a weather plan by 14 days before the get-in date. When thinking about your wet weather plan we advise that you consider, costume including footwear, set, props and length of performance and time on stage. The stage can be very cold in the evenings and hot during matinees so consider costumes that are appropriate for both, and securely fastened, hats can blow off in high wind! Ensure that footwear is appropriate for wet weather when the stone can be slippery. Props and set should be weatherproof but also safe and sturdy in high winds (as this is a common occurrence on a cliff edge).
Performing in the rain
All members of the Hirer’s company must be willing to perform in inclement weather (including rain and wind). The Hirer must be aware that all props must be rain resistant or not essential for the performance as the weather cannot be relied upon to be fair.
Performing in the heat
The Hirer should be aware that the Minack is in direct sunshine during afternoon performances and must ensure actors are adequately protected.
Cancelling performances due to weather
In the interests of customer and staff safety the Minack reserves to itself the final say as to whether a performance may go ahead if there is any doubt due to the weather or the forecast weather. Such a decision will not be taken without consultation with the Hirer’s Company Manager.
The Hirer authorises the Venue to apply its discretion with regard to offering refunds to audience members in inclement weather. The Hirer’s Company Manager will be made aware of occasions when this may happen.
1. Camping overnight onsite is not allowed
2. During performances, animals are not allowed onsite unless they are in a production, in which case they must be kept in a crate backstage. Well behaved dogs are allowed into the Venue on a short lead whilst it is open for visiting but are not permitted in the dressing rooms.
3. Dressing rooms must be left in a good condition as they are used by the Minack for a variety of projects alongside any theatre production taking place.
4. Hirers will only be allowed to access site through prior arrangement with the Minack, and when a Minack staff member is available to be onsite.
5. Young people aged under 16 must be assigned to a registered Chaperone whilst onsite.
6. Food for the Hirer’s company can be organised through Duty Manager Alex Sowerby [email protected] 24 hours in advance. Please use this contact to pre-order food for breaks as the Minack outlets may struggle during busy periods. This cost can be paid in full at the time and any outstanding amounts will be taken from final settlement.
7. Members of the public will be granted access to the theatre during visiting hours, we ask that Hirers consider their language whilst onsite and always treat members of the public and Minack staff with respect.
8. All members of the Company must be checked in by entrance staff and wear their bands whilst on site.
9. Smoking is not permitted in any of the public areas of the theatre. As far as company members are concerned, this means smoking is only permitted in the open-air space outside the stage door.
10. Any member of the hiring party wishing to view a performance must have a valid ticket booked through the ticketing system. Hiring companies will have an allocated number of comp tickets per day. Tickets must be booked in advance and any tickets unallocated 48 hours before the first performance will be released for general sale.
11. The Minack reserves to itself the final say as to whether a performance may go ahead if there is any doubt due to the weather or the forecast weather.
The Haven which is the house just at the top of the drive - basically on-site. They have 3 bedrooms. Accommodation - Posbury St Francis Trust The email address on that website (admin@) goes to Sara who is lovely and who we deal with too.
Also in Crean Valley there is a gorgeous quirky house which again is 3 bedrooms. She does a discount if you contact her directly, not on Airbnb (details attached - I've linked to Airbnb so you can see the photos). Mill House in the heart of West Penwith Cornwall - Cottages for Rent in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom - Airbnb
Lands End Hotel is about 10 mins drive away and is lovely. Also there's a YHA and a Premier Inn in Penzance. Penzance in general is a good place to look for Airbnbs or hotels - its 30 mins away, but easy to get to and will be cheaper.
We also hold a small ‘digs list’ of a few rooms from supporters and friends of the Minack who offer these on an ad-hoc basis and as they have them available. Get in touch with [email protected] if you would like to see this list.
We have included a useful guide covering all of the information that our Marketing team will require to promote your show on our website, on socials and through banners as well as important information that we need to inform our customers prior to going on sale. You can download the full guide here.
Key Contacts
| Director | Rebecca Thomas | [email protected] | 01736 811901 |
| Technical Manager | Simon Hutchings | [email protected] | 01736 811908 |
| Marketing Manager | Vanessa Jackson | [email protected] | 01736 811909 |
| Box Office | [email protected] | 01736 810181 | |
| Programmers |
Sian Kennedy Millie Jones |
[email protected] [email protected] |
01736 806298 01736 806 |
| Duty Manager | Dean Horner | [email protected] | 01736 810181 |
| Duty Manager | Alex Sowerby | [email protected] | 01736 806974 |