Kneehigh Theatre Company marks 30th anniversary with revolutionary new performing space and revivals of three classic shows.

Kneehigh Theatre Company marks 30th anniversary with revolutionary new performing space and revivals of three classic shows

Kneehigh Theatre Company celebrates its 30th year in 2010, and will do so in The Asylum - a massive, specially commissioned dome tent within which the company can present shows, hold parties, exhibit work and much more. In The Asylum, Kneehigh will be reviving three of its most successful shows of the last three decades: The Red Shoes, Blast! and Nick Darke’s The King of Prussia.

The Asylum sees Kneehigh apply its unique ambitious and inventive vision to its own home. The Asylum will revolutionise the way Kneehigh operates, making it a touring company with a permanent home. While continuing to tour to, and work with, national and international partner venues, Kneehigh will now be able to reach new audiences with its own portable venue. The companywill enjoy all the security and facilities of a permanent home well into the future, without the overheads and restrictions of a building-based company.

Gil Gillilan of The Dome Company has worked closely with the Kneehigh team to design a bespoke tent that affords the company complete flexibility to play to audiences of 250 to 1000, depending on the show, the set up of the space or even the environment within which the tent is placed. Standing at 45m long x 30m wide, the design concept is the only one of its size and kind in the world. Its design has been inspired by ancient building methods and is rooted in the idea of circus, troubadour, and folk traditions. Co-artistic director Mike Shepherd and Producer Paul Crewes are leading the project for Kneehigh.

Kneehigh has worked hard to secure income from international touring. Re-investing this, plus crucial investment from Arts Council England, Cornwall Council, trusts, foundations and vital individual supporters, means The Asylum is set to become a reality.

The three shows which will be revived in The Asylum are key shows from Kneehigh’s journey to this point:

Kneehigh’s award-winning production of The Red Shoes was first performed in 2002. Passionate, funny and rude, it tells Hans Christian Andersen’s menacing fairy tale through a surreal and sensuous mix of theatre, dance, music and imagery. Directed and adapted by Emma Rice, from the story by Hans Christian Andersen, and the poetry of Anna Maria Murphy, The Red Shoes tells the story of a young girl whose shoes just won’t let her stop dancing.

Blast! (first produced in 2007) is an irreverent and hilarious show about a Cornish man who reaches the end of his tether and takes the law into his own hands. Combining inspired lunacy with considerable wit in Kneehigh’s inimitable style, Blast! is directed by Kneehigh’s founding Artistic Director Mike Shepherd.

Also directed by Mike Shepherd, Nick Darke’s The King of Prussia premiered at the Donmar Warehouse in 1996, and this revival will see many of the entire original cast reunited to tell the story of a notorious Cornish smuggler and the cruel, beautiful woman who ruins him.

1. About the Asylum The Asylum has been supported by Arts Council England, Cornwall Council, plus a number of trusts, foundations and individuals based both in Cornwall and the rest of the UK. The total cost for this project stands at �820k. 2. About Kneehigh Kneehigh was established in 1980 by Mike Shepherd, he is now Joint Artistic Director with Emma Rice who joined the company in 1995.

The company now finds itself celebrated as one of Britain's most exciting touring theatre companies, known for their innovative approach to making theatre. The company has worked, and continues to work with some of the most incredible and inspiring people within Cornwall. They take pride in their Cornish identity, they seek to inspire ‘pride of place' in their Cornish audiences and they work hard to champion the spirit of Cornwall when working away from home.

Their rehearsal base is a National Trust barn on the cliffs near Mevagissey and their office is in Truro.

Dates

The Red Shoes Tue-Sun 27th July – 29th August (not 6, 13, 20-27 Aug)

Blast! 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th August

Nick Darke’s The King of Prussia 21st – 26th August (not 23 Aug)

Time

7.30pm

Ticket prices

Full Price �20.00Over 65 �17.50Concessions (Students, Benefits, U16) �10.00Family Option 1 (2 full price & 2 Conc.) �50.00Family Option 2 (1 Full price & 2 Conc.) �35.00

Book for two shows in the season and pay �35.00Book for three shows in the season and pay �45.00

Access

Information relating to access performances available on www.kneehigh.co.uk, by calling 01872 267 910 or through the box office.

Location

Tywarnhayle Farm,Blackwater,Truro,Cornwall, TR4 8HG

The Asylum can be found on a field belonging to the Tywarnhayle Farm (often used for the annual St Agnes steam rally), just off the Chiverton Cross roundabout, mid Cornwall.

By Car:From the A30 Southbound – Head to the Chiverton Cross roundabout (the one with the large starbucks) and take the 2nd exit, signposted St Agnes (B3277), at the mini roundabout continue on the B3277 (the 3rd exit). Approx 400 yards on the left, turn left where you will be signposted towards the car park.

From the A30 Northbound - Head to the Chiverton Cross roundabout (the one with the large starbucks) and take the 1st exit, signposted St Agnes (B3277), at the mini roundabout continue on the B3277 (the 3rd exit). Approx 400 yards on the left, turn left where you will be signposted towards the car park.

There is parking on site, with a number of dedicated disabled parking spaces close to the entrance of the tent.

By Public Transport:Bus 85 / 85a from Truro city centre. For full details visit www.firstgroup.com.

How to book:

by phone

01726 879500

online

www.crbo.co.uk

in person

The box office is open open from Monday to Saturday, between 9.00am and 5.00pm. Cornish Riviera TIC & Box Office, St Austell

Southbourne Road, St Austell, Cornwall, PL25 4RS

by post

Cornish Riviera TIC & Box Office, St Austell

Southbourne Road, St Austell, Cornwall, PL25 4RS