A Cornish theatre company is looking for volunteer community performers to join for their new play.
Collective Arts Ltd, famed for plays such as The Trench at Levant Mine in Bodmin, have announced they are recruiting volunteers, ideally 30 or more, for their new show, Samson & Delilah.
The play, touted as a fun yet tragic historical drama, delves into how Spain nearly invaded England, with a significant focus on the Cornish coast's role.
It will tour Cornwall, starting in Mousehole and ending up in St Mawes, visiting communities impacted by the Spanish during the Armada.
Talking about how the tale came to him, Jason Squibb, artistic director for Collective Arts, said: “I kept bumping into this tale from time to time, but never thought much about it, then a couple of years ago I came across it again, in a pamphlet by Elizabethan playwright, Thomas Heywood entitled An Apology for Actors.
"Heywood mentioned 'a strange accident happening at a play' sometime in the late 1590's when a Spanish vessel sailed up the river towards Penryn, and undiscovered the Spaniards came in to the town intending to take it.
"They found it deserted, suddenly drums, trumpets and loud noises came from somewhere nearby.
(Image: Pixabay)
He continued: "The Spaniards thought it was an approaching Cornish army and high-tailed it back to their ship and no harm was done.
"The townspeople were actually putting on a play about St Sampson and the Spaniards had arrived right on cue.
"We've changed it to a play about Samson & Delilah, not the easiest story to tell but a classic all the same.”
Samson & Delilah has received £47,360 from Cornwall Council's Community Levelling Up Programme, part of the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund.
Collective Arts are inviting community members, irrespective of their acting experience, aged 12 and above to join their cast.
The company assures to provide the necessary professional support.
Rehearsals for young performers are scheduled for every Saturday in August, while adult rehearsals kick off on July 29 and run until September 3.
The theatre company is flexible, requiring performers for either one or two days per week, depending on their availability and role.
Touring for the play commences on September 4, ending on September 29, during which cast members are expected to perform at one venue.
Although performers need to arrange their own transportation, petrol expenses will be compensated.
To express interest in this unique opportunity, the theatre company encourages prospective performers to send an email to jsquibb69@hotmail.com.
However, the company has asked that a parent must accompany performers under 18 years of age at all times.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here