Our guide to the best events in and around Cornwall...
9-10 June
Duchy opera presents La Traviata
La Traviata based on Alexandre Dumas’ (fils) novel La Dame aux camellias is perhaps Verdi’s most performed work, containing all the elements of operatic addiction: a beautiful, consumptive, fallen-woman heroine, grand Parisian party scenes, the travails of love, a troubled father and a deathbed scene, all set to Verdi’s faultless score.
Princess Pavilion, 41 Melvill Road, Falmouth, TR11 4AR
10-18 June
Polperro Music Festival
This week-long free festival includes plenty of live music, an arts and crafts fair, a comedy night, the lighting of the solstice bonfire, the colourful village carnival and a unique mock mayor choosing ceremony with the winner being wheeled through the town, stopping at each inn before finally being dunked in the sea.
To 11 June
Nicola Bealing: Bad Gardening
Cornwall-based artist Nicola Bealing will shows recent paintings and monoprints. Forms of plant life are often evident in Bealing’s dark narrative paintings. Even when not taking the role of principal subject, they tend to creep and insinuate themselves into the imagery. Bad Gardening will allow various off-kilter manifestations of horticulture to take centre stage. All works will be available to buy.
Tremenheere Gallery, Guval, Penzance
12-18 June
Walk West Cornwall
Helpful Holidays introduce their Walk West Cornwall 2017 festival, following the tremendous success of the 2016 inaugural event.
With 20 coastal, art, historical, foraging and adventure walks to choose from, the family and pet friendly Walk West Cornwall event welcomes everyone to the unique landscape of England’s toe’. The walks, which range from one mile to eight, are rated from easy to strenuous and most are free of charge. Local experienced guides will introduce walkers to spectacular scenery, fascinating facts and intriguing history – and, as well as being great exercise, some walks incorporate refreshments or a picnic too (even a pit-stop at an award-winning ice cream farm).
Walk West Cornwall’s choice of revitalising romps and scenic strolls gives everyone the chance to experience hidden Cornwall.
14 June
Cornwall Fundraisers
Professional fundraisers from across Cornwall gather to share knowledge and experience, with the aim of increasing success rates in making applications to trusts and grant-making bodies.
The event is free and open for all to attend at the Merlin MS Centre, Hewas Water, near St Austell
Register interest via the post regarding the event on Cornwall Fundraisers Group’s Facebook page at
facebook.com/CornwallFundraisers
15-24 June
The Vicar of Dibley
Truro Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society presents a laugh out loud two-act play featuring all the much-loved characters from the BBC1 hit TV series by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer.
This hilarious script by Ian Gower and Paul Carpenter brings together scenarios from various episodes to form a story in its own right. Relive the shocking arrival of the new female Vicar, Geraldine Granger to the quiet village of Dibley.
Starring BBC Radio Cornwall presenter Debbie McCrory as the chocoholic vicar, the performance will raise funds for Comic Relief.
Redannick Theatre, Truro
16-18 June
Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival
We’re back in Cornwall’s festival capital for this free festival of maritime music and a great way to soak up the true atmosphere of Falmouth’s seafaring past with performances by dozens of groups.
17-18 June
Saltash Regatta and Waterside Festival
A colourful waterside festivals featuring gig rowing events and entertainment on the shore.
22 June
The Third Policeman
The lawns of Bedruthan will be transformed into an immersive clifftop theatre, complete with a well-stocked bar, street food stalls and a line-up of lively performances.
The Bedruthan open-air theatre season begins with a performance of The Third Policeman by Miracle Theatre Company. Written by Flann O’Brien and performed by Cornwall’s Miracle Theatre Company (who performed on Bedruthan’s cliff-top stage last year) this surreal comedy has been adapted by Bill Scott, Meiert Avis and Robert Bayley, bringing Miracle Theatre’s trade-mark absurdity to the cult classic.
Guests are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and cushions, and are welcome to arrive an hour before the shows begin to enjoy the sweeping views of Mawgan Porth beach and sample the selection of drinks and food, which will also be available to purchase throughout the performances. Further performances are planned throughout the summer. Full tour details are available at miracletheatre.co.uk
Early bird tickets available through their website bedruthan.com
Until 9 July
Paul Armitage
The Lamorna-based artist has created 12 paintings and drawings inspired by the landscapes of West Penwith and Southern Spain. Paul Armitage has lived and painted in Cornwall since 2001. He was studio assistant to the renowned Sandra Blow, RA, a pioneering abstract painters based in St Ives.
The Old Coastguard, Mousehole
24 June – 1 July
Independent Book Shop Week
Get out and celebrate Cornwall’s array of independent bookshops with this annual celebration of indies and the important part that indies’ play in their communities, their creativity and the excellent, personal service they provide for customers.
27 June – 1 July
Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
Widely considered to be one of the greatest plays of the 20th century, Death of a Salesman is about the cost of not being able to let go of the American Dream. Directed by Abigail Graham, this major touring revival of Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize winning masterpiece sees Olivier nominee Nicholas Woodeson (The Audience, The Homecoming) play the iconic central role of Willy Loman, following the sad death of Tim Piggot-Smith.
