My Hall for Cornwall's work
BUILDING FOR CORNWALL'S CULTURAL FUTURE
Our company specialises in providing cultural education, talent development, and workspaces for the creative industries. Thanks to funding from Arts Council England and one of its National Portfolio Organisations, our venue has significantly contributed to building Cornwall's cultural appetite by creating and showcasing high-quality work that our community desires.
Over the past decade, we have hosted 3,700 performances, attracting 2 million attendees. We have also provided creative opportunities to more than 100,000 young people and introduced 10,000 individuals to theatre for the first time. Our theatre-goers represent a diverse range of socioeconomic backgrounds, making us one of the most inclusive venues in the UK. Additionally, we have contributed £16 million annually to Cornwall and Truro's economies, helping to build the county's economic resilience.
Given that Cornwall is the poorest county in England with limited access to cultural opportunities, we believe it's crucial to nurture ambition, particularly among the younger generation who often fail to reach their potential. We are committed to providing Cornwall residents access to the best performance and cultural opportunities. Our ultimate vision is to continue to elevate the cultural landscape of Cornwall.
AN OPEN THEATRE FOR THE PEOPLE OF CORNWALL
The Cornish people are well-known for their strong cultural and historical identity and independent spirit. We approached Burrell Foley Fischer Architects to renovate the Hall for Cornwall to create a theatre that accurately reflects the community and culture of the area. Our primary objective was to create an open and inclusive space where everyone could attend and participate without barriers.
For many centuries, this site has been a vital part of the public realm, serving as a community space for the people of Truro. It has been utilised for various purposes, including a marketplace, skating rink, shooting range, cinema, and dance hall. The historic Victorian market hall's granite arcades still stand north of the site. The City Council chambers and coroners court occupy the upper levels. In the 1990s, thanks to a public campaign, the area was saved from sale and transformed into a "cinematic" auditorium that stretched sideways through the centre of the space. The stage runs along one side, with an extensive proscenium opening. This unique design makes it one of the last remaining single-tier theatres in the area. The Cornish people are well-known for their strong cultural and historical identity and independent spirit. We approached Burrell Foley Fischer Architects to renovate the Hall for Cornwall to create a theatre that accurately reflects the community and culture of the area. Our primary objective was to create an open and inclusive space where everyone could attend and participate without barriers.
FROM PLEN AN GWARI TO THEATRE CORNWALL
The new Hall For Cornwall will have a central architecture that improves the connection between the stage and the audience. The tiered auditorium offers flexibility, allowing programming in more intimate and customised spaces. For example, the balcony could be used for lectures, while the stalls and thrust stage could be used for new script readings. With a larger auditorium, bigger shows can be included in touring schedules and premiered in Cornwall.
Cornish theatre has come a long way since the medieval plen-an-gwari. Today, it includes prominent companies such as Footsbarn Theatre Company, Kneehigh, o-region, Urban Playground, and Owdyado Theatre. These companies have been influenced by outdoor or site-specific theatre, creating an informal, intimate, and playful relationship with the audience. Additionally, the Digital Creative Hub on Back Quay and the commitment to 10 years of support for the organisational growth of Cornwall's creative sector will further enhance the theatre scene.
Royal Town Planning Institute
South West Awards for Planning Excellence
Best Project 2023
The judges said:
“In selecting this entry as the winner of the Best Project in the South-West, the judges were impressed with the planning considerations in delivering an impressive Theatre Design which is outstanding and focused on an inclusive user experience.
Given that the Theatre could have been repurposed as a Supermarket in the 1990s, the Panel considered there is much to commend this project as an exemplar of reusing and restoring buildings to meet current requirements. Its history shines through with innovative storytelling - via QR codes - and careful stonework which celebrates the many previous uses.
As an example of a mixed-use, culturally led development in the heart of a compact urban environment involving two Grade II * listed buildings, the scheme is seen as a highly successful outcome at a time when City Centres can struggle to maintain their position".