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facing the ocean, and Today the
the film was finished Minack Theatre
there. is run by a Trust.
Tourism is
Rowena herself wrote encouraged, and
in 1957 “At various the theatre is
times, as the play of open most days
the year demanded, to welcome
my gardener, Billy, visitors. It is not
and I have made unusual to see
concrete additions, tourists arrive by
for which the material the coach load.
was all carried on our A new reception
backs to the site. hall has been created with the story of the
There have been three theatre and its creator on display, with new
different forms of toilets, a souvenir shop and a café with
balustrade. The steps stunning views of the cliffs and the ocean.
lettering and Celtic designs, many of which behind the throne were built to exit some of Visitors may wander around the theatre itself
can still be seen today. the many bodies in Antony and Cleopatra, (it is exceptionally steep) and can watch a play
1937. In the same year there were pillars half being set up for the night’s performance. The
On one occasion she carried 15 ft timber circling the east entrance, carrying curtains admission fee is reasonable and helps to keep
beams, washed up on the beach, up the cliff to with painted Egyptian deities. These were the Minack maintained and functioning. A lot
the theatre to be used to build her new replaced by studio Corinthian columns (which of the work around the theatre is done by
dressing room. Customs officers, looking for blew away). In 1951 … we squared up the volunteers, who sometimes even appear in
the wreckage from a Spanish freighter, Greek pillars and built the flight of stairs from that night’s play as well. There are even well
challenged her, but when she admitted she had the higher garden gate to the stage …”. kept gardens, quite surprising given its
carried the timber up the cliff face herself, exposed and windy site. The whole complex
they did not believe her because she was so Rowena used her own money to finance the is a joy in which to wander and ponder, and a
frail looking, and went on their way. Minack Thatre and never received a penny testament to the vision and spirit of its
for what she had done. In the 1950s she founder, Rowena Cade; but also a tribute to
In 1944, Gainsborough filmed Love Story approached the National Trust and a London those who continue her work.
partly in the Minack, starring Stewart drama school, but neither was able to give her
Granger and Margaret Lockwood. Storms assistance. In 1976 she was well in her 80s but Minack’s website is www.minack.com.
forced them to move production to a studio continued working and developing the Theatre enthusiasts visiting Cornwall should
rather than an exposed location on a cliffside Minack until her death in 1983. not miss a visit to this incredible theatre and
perhaps even take in a performance there.
The fog-bound Minack stage area.

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