Our 2026 Performance Season Revealed
Cornwall is the county of myths and legends, and the Minack’s 2026 season of music and theatre has more than a touch of the marvellous about it.
The season opens at Easter with a reprise of Minack’s 2024 production Giants, based on the legendary giants of St Michael’s Mount, and featuring the Minack Youth Theatre alongside former Kneehigh actors, Mary Woodvine and Craig Johnson. Giants will play during the daytime, for family audiences, while in the evenings there will be performances of two other Cornish tales. Widdershins is a new one-man show written by noted Cornish playwright Carl Grose and performed by veteran Kneehigh actor David Mynne. It tells the tale of a long-forgotten village that is hard to find – and even harder to leave. Bec Applebee will also revive her celebrated one woman show, Oh Mary, recounting the true story of Mary Bryant, a Cornish lass battling impossible odds to make an incredible escape.
After Easter, music takes centre stage
April and May are packed with gigs, including Cornish favourites, Fisherman’s Friends, Mevagissy Male Choir, Passenger, violinist and broadcaster Anna Phoebe (Add to Playlist, BBC Radio 4), and many more great events scattered throughout the season. For a different take on shanty music, don’t miss Shantify, the West End wonderboys, who transform show tunes, rock classics and pop bangers into spectacular sea shanties..
A true-life tale became a legendary musical theatre hit
Come From Away follows the story of 7,000 air passengers stranded when the Twin Towers were attacked in 2001 and the community that welcomed these strangers as friends. Redruth Amateur Operatic Society Trust will stage this incredible tale of friendship and the human spirit at the Minack during May half term
There’s something for all ages in the Minack season.
Le Navet Bete make a welcome return with their zany version of the legend of King Arthur (June), while Minack favourites, Illyria breathe life into the wooden limbs of a puppet with a penchant for fibbing, Pinocchio (June). And for grown-ups, the comedy duo Living Spit take aim at Too Many Greek Myths (July), tackling everything from Hades to Heracles.
Come from Away is just one of several great musical theatre events in the season. Award-winning British Theatre Academy will present Dear Evan Hansen (July), followed by Anything Goes (August) by BROS Theatre Company, and a musical interpretation of The Importance of Being Ernest, by OVO in September.
Rebecca Thomas, Director of the Minack, is looking forward to the coming year. “Outdoor theatre is a special part of the summer and we’re thrilled at the season we’ve put together for next year, There is definitely something for everyone and we’re especially delighted to be reviving our highly praised 2017 production of Goodnight Mister Tom, which will run from 17 August t- 1 September, in which Cornish actor Steve Jacobs will reprise his role as Tom Oakley.”
There’s much more to be found in the season from Shakespeare to opera, and from Animal Farm to the Proms.
Booking for Fisherman’s Friends and Passenger opens on Wednesday 21 January.
Booking for Sam Palladio and Newton Faulkner opens on Wednesday 28 January.
Booking for all other events opens Monday 9 February.