Award-winning Helston Theatre Company (HTC) is to stage David Wood’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach at Penlee Park Theatre this summer, accompanied by preview productions for the families of Helston at Coronation Park.
Since going into lockdown during March 2020, the Helston Theatre Company committee have continued to hold monthly meetings to plan theatre and engagement within their membership, navigating the ups and downs of the ever changing restrictions the country has endured.
HTC’s production of Into the Woods unfortunately had to be put on hold, with the intention that this will be staged in 2022, while their pantomime Robin Hood was optimistically planned for 2021, until it became apparent that theatre was still not able to go ahead at that time. However, the company did manage to engage its membership and audience with a special “panto week” in January to celebrate what would have been their performance week at the Epworth Hall.
After much work behind the scenes over the last year, HTC was invited to perform at the Minack Theatre with its production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tell Me on a Sunday this June. It recently finished this one-woman show, which gave three Cornish actors the opportunity to dust off their performance skills for the first time since the pandemic began.
Within days of being offered a slot at the Minack Theatre, Penlee Park also contacted Helston Theatre Company to offer it a production there. Former Mayor of Helston and owner of Gillian’s Larder, Gillian Geer, is directing the family-friendly James and the Giant Peach at Penlee in August.
The ensemble play a variety of roles in James and the Giant Peach
The production is based on the famous Roald Dahl book and is adapted for the stage by David Wood. Featuring sweet James himself, played by Jack Irving, alongside a host of well known likeable insects (meet Miss Spider, Centipede, Earthworm, Old Green Grasshopper and Ladybird), James and the Giant Peach promises a fabulous and fun evening in one of Cornwall’s most beautiful and atmospheric theatre settings.
Paul Blaber, Helston Theatre Company chairman, said: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to perform wonderful pieces of theatre at such stunning local venues. We hope our colourful production of James and the Giant Peach will delight theatre-deprived audiences young and old.
"We can’t wait to be back, performing again!”
Helston Theatre Company presents James and the Giant Peach at Penlee Park Theatre from August 6 to 8 2021, with previews at Coronation Park on August 1. To book tickets visit www.helstontheatrecompany.co.uk
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