Mad, magical theatre

Kneehigh’s theatre season returns with three spectacular shows in the magical surroundings of the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Summer is coming and it’s time for the return of Kneehigh’s incredibly popular theatre, The Asylum, set in the magnificent surroundings of the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Now in its eighth year, The Asylum is a unique theatrical experience under canvas, which has firmly established itself as a must-go event in Cornwall’s summer calendar. The Asylum brings with it a chance for friends old and new to enjoy world-class theatre, delicious food and drink, live music and a good old-fashioned Kneehigh knees-up. 

“…this is a real quirky treat and you would be totally quackers to miss it!”

This internationally celebrated Cornish theatre company is presenting three shows in the purpose-built tent; featuring exquisite puppetry, live (foot stomping) music and fabulous theatrics in a season of madness, mayhem, and surprise. Opening the season is a new promenade musical, Ubu Karaoke, inspired by Alfred Jarry’s notorious and absurd comedy and a love of karaoke! This political satire gets the audience standing and moving around with the action, and is more like a gig than a normal theatre show, but then Kneehigh doesn’t do normal! Returning after a gloriously successful run in 2016, is Simon Harvey’s hilarious Fup, based on Jim Dodge’s international bestselling novella and set in the Cornish Wild West. This is a wonderfully strange and uproarious modern fable about family, love, and the impact an overweight whiskey-swilling duck can have! With live music performed by an extraordinary cast and a band of musicians, this is a real quirky treat and you would be totally quackers to miss it! Finally, who can resist the hip-hoppity fun of Quentin Blake’s classic story The Dancing Frog, reimagined for all the family in a new version by Kneehigh’s Artistic Director Mike Shepherd.

Kneehigh’s partnership with The Lost Gardens of Heligan means visitors can wander the gardens for free just before the show, or spend longer exploring with a special combined garden and show ticket.

Food and drinks are available for all performances and the wonderful Heligan Kitchen & Bakery will be offering a delicious seasonal menu using local produce, much of which is sourced from the garden itself.

Did you know?

Ubu Karaoke and Fup are suitable for adults, teenagers and adventurous children from the age of 10. The Dancing Frog is suitable for children and adults of all shapes and sizes. Discounts are available for children and families, and those under 26.

PERFORMANCE DATES

Ubu Karaoke

2nd to 25th August

The Dancing Frog

7th to 25th August

Fup: A Modern Fable

7th to 22nd September

Tickets available through Hall for Cornwall.

Box office: 01872 262466