Have I mentioned enough positive adjectives already regarding this theatre? I don't think so, for this place truly deserves all the wonderful words you can throw at it.
We have visited several times before and the excitement of seeing this place again never diminishes. Whether our visit may be on a sunny and warm day, or a cool and damp one the beauty of this place, just like my personal sense of excitement doesn't diminish either. A truly special, world famous place and so I'll let the photos do most of the talking!
The opera that was on that night, Cavalleria Rusticana sounded really appealing so we decided to buy tickets. The planting in front of the ticket office was fantastic and is just a preview of even better things to come as you towards the theatre itself.
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| Even the views at the car park are stunning! |
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| Walking towards the main theatre, you can see beautiful things ahead... |
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| Leucadendron argenteum |
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| A Yucca filifera in the middle with several Echiums in bloom |
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| Nolina longifolia |
The theatre was planned, built, and created by Rowena Cade. An inspirational woman who was determined to realise her vision of a wonderful theatre, even if she had to do most of the hard work herself
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| Seats carved with names of previous productions held at the theatre |
As you enter the theatre, and from the top part you are greeted by the sheer majesty of the place...
And the planting within the theatre itself is wonderful, especially if you are into succulents, with plenty of Agaves, Aloes, and Aeoniums thriving in the sunny, mild, and (very) well drained planting beds.
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| Agave pedunculifera |
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| Scilla peruviana |
And a charming little plant sales area (or cupboard more like it!)...
And if you're not into plants, you can't help but admire the stunning views from the theatre...
In the afternoon there were rehearsals going on for the show later in the evening...
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| With such stunning backdrop, you don't need an elaborate stage set... |
We were there all afternoon and well into the evening until the end of the performance. A truly magical place that we would never tire of visiting over and over again. And if you are ever down in Cornwall and have never been, then I'd say it's a must to visit this place!
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| Great views, great garden, great theatre! |
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
What a fabulous place. The views are breathtaking and the cliffs are beautiful with the stone being so colored. The gardens are fantastic, that Silver Tree is gorgeous. No way you could take it all in, you would have to visit many times and still see more each time you went.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
All that beauty AND opera. It's breath-taking - an amazing place.
ReplyDeleteWow, those plants, that view...to die for. How were the acoustics?
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite places. My step mother owns one of the houses up on the cliff nearby and I used to go into the auditorium alone at night and watch the moon over the sea. A really magical place - and the echiums have inspired me though I doubt mine will put on such a show. Dave
ReplyDeleteIt is a fabulous place Cher, and yes multiple visits highly recommended as there's so much beauty to take in!
ReplyDeleteMissy, it is breathtaking on many angles. Even in misty and grey days the place looks fantastic and just adds to the atmosphere :)
Hi Loree, the plants and views are fantastic aren't they? The acoustics were great, I think it was something the creator noticed, that the area is a naturally good place for acoustics and all. Performances are rarely cancelled too unless the weather is really bad.
Hi David, you're lucky to have a close relative living in the area and to be able to visit the auditorium in the night, it must be wonderful being there alone on a clear night. Echiums are still worth persevering though, you might get lucky!
OMG, my heart almost stopped when I saw this post. Porthcurno was my absolute favorite spot on our Cornwall trip a few years ago. I did not want to leave. Your post brings back lots of great memories. Thank you for that. I could SOOOO live there!
ReplyDeleteHi Gerhard, glad you enjoyed it. The Minack really is a special place to visit!
ReplyDeleteIt's less than 2 hours away for me but I've never visited. I tried once - and got lost in the lanes coming from Land's End. Ironic really as one of my old clients was the Porthcurno Telegraph Museum and I found that OK. Definately time for another trip, methinks.
ReplyDeleteI love the Minack, your photos do it proud. Weather is perfect for your trip - good timing!
ReplyDeleteHi John, the roads that lead to the theatre are narrow and winding so it's easy enough to get lost and not spot the right way there. Definitely worth trying visiting soon, you'd love it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Martin! Glad the weather was superb when we visited, perfect timing :)
@Trainer John - if you can find the Porthcurno Telegraph Museum you just have to carry on along the same road past the Cable Station Inn and Beach Cafe, up the (steep) hill and once you've gone round the hairpin bend, it's the first turning on the left with a green and yellow sign saying "Minack Theatre Entrance" - can't miss it! You then just follow that road along and to the right into the car park. I've just got back from my 5th show there and we've had all 4 seasons in 6 days - As the old adage goes, there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the best summer retreat in the United Kingdom!
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking views (seem to look good from every angle), plants to drool at and plant for sale, plus a show. I can definitely understand why you would get all excited about a visit.
ReplyDeleteJust out of curiosity, how does the opera handle the acoustics of an open air theatre?
Aurehsalla - SatNav helps too! The Minack is a place to wrap up warm at night as it can get cool next to the sea.
ReplyDeleteAparaajit - It really is something different, and well worth including on any visit to Cornwall.
Bom - glad you liked it. In terms of acoustics they were not bad considering, with extra speakers etc to amplify everything. We had fairly good seats so had no trouble. Not sure what the sound is like if you are near the top of the cliffs though.
The photos you have taken of our wonderful and magical theatre in Cornwall are truly fantastic and thank you from all of us at New Cornwall Opera we all really look forward to playing at the Minack and has a special place in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteBruce Cross
Hi Bruce, I'm pleased you enjoyed the photos, we really enjoyed the performance, although not our first visit to the Minack, we had not seen a show there before.
ReplyDeleteI think that was the theatre that featured in Coast and I thought what a great setting for a play or the opera. The plants down that way are stunning especially the agave and the echiums. Great post.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet, glad you enjoyed our visit :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a very beautiful place you have visited. The views are breathtaking. I love the silver tree.
ReplyDeleteAutumn Belle, the views are fantastic. They are lucky with their position that the Silver Trees do well for them.
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