The Minack Theatre
Cornwall, UK
Perched dramatically on the cliffs above Porthcurno Bay in Cornwall, the Minack Theatre is one of the world’s most astonishing open-air theatres. Similarly to many theatre gardens it reflects the unique personal vision and devotion to theatre, culture and nature connection.
Its creator, Rowena Cade, was a passionate lover of theatre, particularly the works of Shakespeare. After becoming involved in a village theatre production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1929, Rowena offered her clifftop garden for the company’s next production — The Tempest — performed in the summer of 1932. To accommodate the actors and audience, she began carving terraces into the granite rock overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Something that would become a her life mission.
Rowena Cade devoted her life to shaping and improving the Minack until her death in 1983. Assisted by her two gardeners and local craftsmen, she shaped the theatre almost entirely by hand. Most of the structures were formed from concrete mixed with sand from the local beaches. The result is a breathtaking amphitheatre hewn into the rock, with tiers of grassy seating, rough-hewn stone benches engraved with Celtic designs, and a stage of patterned stone set against the vast ocean horizon.
Since 1976, the theatre has been managed by The Minack Theatre Trust CIO. Today, the Minack has become a vital cultural hub, welcoming over 250,000 visitors annually. The theatre hosts more than 18 productions each season, from May to September, featuring companies from across the United Kingdom and the United States. In homage to Rowena Cade’s lifelong admiration for Shakespeare, at least one of his plays is performed every year.
While the core structure of the Minack remains as Rowena designed it, the site has evolved to meet the needs of modern audiences. New features include an accessible balcony at the top of the auditorium, a café with panoramic sea views, and the addition of a sub-tropical garden.