After a popular tour of the UK and North America, Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical returns to Hall for Cornwall this April. 

Produced by Cornwall Playhouse Productions and ROYO, this rags-to-riches story of friendship, community and music features a reworked and punchier script that has delighted audiences around the world since its development run at Hall for Cornwall in 2021.

Falmouth Packet: Sailing across the stage Sailing across the stage (Image: Pamela Raith)

It’s described as a heart-warming tale for our times - a triumph of Cornish spirit, filled with hope, joy, and a celebration of how the power of singing can help to bring people together.

With two young producers at the helm, making their professional debut, the first tour was a landmark moment for Cornwall. Since then, the musical has crossed the Tamar and headed north, playing to dozens of towns and cities across the UK, and even sailing into Canada last Christmas.

Director James Grieve said: "Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends are a group of lifelong friends who started singing together at school and ended up on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury.

"Their journey began when they stepped out on The Platt at Port Isaac to sing a few songs to raise a few quid for a lifeboat. 

"A music producer on holiday was bewitched by the striking sound of these raw acapella voices underscored by the sea lapping against the shore. They signed to Island Records and their debut album went gold and entered the album chart at number nine."

Falmouth Packet: The cast of Fishermen's Friends The cast of Fishermen's Friends (Image: Pamela Raith)

This year’s production has been reinvented with an all-star cast, including Parisa Shahmir (MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again) and Dan Buckley (Sweeney Todd) reprising their roles from the original production, James Gaddas (Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Dracula), Jason Langley (War Horse, Casualty) and Cornish celebrities Robert Duncan (Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution) from St Austell, and Susan Penhaligon, who grew up in St Ives and Falmouth.

After beginning her life in Cornwall, Susan has toured the world with her career, starring in Bouquet of Barbed Wire, A Fine Romance, Dracula, Under Milk Wood, Emmerdale and more. Susan’s role as Maggie in Fisherman’s Friends the Musical marks her return home to the Cornish stage.

In an interview, Susan said: "Cornwall to me is a sense of belonging; a sense of identity."

Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical runs from Tuesday, April 11 until Saturday, 22. 

The show is approximately two hours long including an interval and is suitable for ages seven and over. 

You can find out more about the musical and purchase tickets here: https://hallforcornwall.co.uk/playhouse-tickets-shows/fishermans-friends-the-musical