With places like the Minack and St Mawes Castle providing a rather spectacular backdrop, Cornwall has garnered quite a reputation for showstopping theatre and live entertainment. The county is jam-packed with a variety of venues, from the grand stylings of the Hall for Cornwall to the cosy Tolman Centre in Constantine, which sits in the heart of the local community, providing a rich and varied line-up of events.
When it comes to live entertainment, no one does it quite like Cornwall’s very own touring theatre company, Miracle Theatre. Taking their summer shows around Cornwall and beyond, Miracle Theatre has become synonymous with eclectic outdoor performances, with many of their shows taking place in Cornwall’s most captivating venues, from gardens and estates to castles and cafés.
With their newest play currently taking Cornwall by storm, we thought we would introduce you to the world of Miracle Theatre and their epic shows.
History of Miracle Theatre
Established in 1979, Miracle Theatre has taken over 60 productions on tour, over half of which were new stories, and the rest creative adaptations that never fail to put a whole new spin on a beloved tale. Think Hamlet with a musical number, a sequel to Rumplestiltskin that shows us why Georgian pantomime reigns supreme, and Beauty and the Beast… From Mars?
Whether it’s Shakespeare shaken up or an original story that captures the imagination from the first line, Miracle Theatre has become known for its unabashed style and vibrant performances (and its bright pink van that can be seen touring the countryside). Humour is often at the heart of a performance, with striking costumes and inventive storytelling setting the scene.
Each play brings something new to the table, whether it’s clever use of sound and music or theatre-in-the-round, which sees the audience gathered around the performers as if they were in a circus arena. It’s this ever-evolving celebration of what can be achieved with theatre that makes Miracle such a beloved part of Cornwall’s entertainment scene.
Where to watch Miracle Theatre
The greatest joy of a travelling theatre company is that you can catch them in some truly spectacular places, with wild and wonderful backdrops to add a whole new dimension to the performance.
In West Cornwall, the Minack Theatre boasts one of the most iconic backdrops in the UK, with the tiered, clifftop theatre offering sweeping views across the granite cliffs of Porthcurno Beach and Logan’s Rock beyond. Spend the intermission looking out for seals bottling in the waters below, or perhaps even dolphins and basking sharks carving through the inky depths beyond the coast’s turquoise shores.
On the south coast, watch a show amidst the verdant displays at Enys Gardens or the Princess Pavilion in Falmouth, or turn your theatre-going shoes to North Cornwall, where woodland cafés and country houses wait to put on a show. Miracle Theatre is also known to skip across the water to the Isles of Scilly, so you can pair a breathtaking day trip with a performance of a lifetime - win-win!
The majority of Miracle’s shows run across the summer months, with most performances beginning in June and running until the end of August. However, they also occasionally run Christmas shows - oh no, they don’t! - so keep an eye on their socials to see what’s coming up.
Top tip: Many of Miracle Theatre’s performances are held at open-air venues, so we recommend wearing warm clothes and packing a mix of picnic blankets, chairs, and snacks to make the experience as comfy as possible. Oh, and don’t forget a coat - places like the Minack Theatre will go ahead, come rain or shine!
Miracle Theatre’s current show
This year, Miracle Theatre is bringing life to one of the epic tales by Ibsen, Peer Gynt. A comedy of terrors that flits from the curious to plain bizarre with ease, you’re in for a tummy-tickling treat that’s sure to have your cheeks aching by the end.
The play takes you through the realms of Norse mythology, introducing you to a zany cast of trolls, cranky characters, and curious creatures, all while splitting your sides in true Miracle fashion. Expect larger-than-life characters, costumes, and music, while you follow along with the main character, Peer, who lives a life centred around, well, himself, as he learns - hopefully - the true meaning of Shakespeare’s quote, “To thine own self be true.”
Peer Gynt will be showing at various venues across Cornwall and the South West throughout July and August in 2026, with venues ranging from Trebah Amphitheatre near Falmouth to Penlee Park in Penzance.
Eager to catch Miracle Theatre’s next show? Explore our beautiful holiday cottages across Cornwall and plan a holiday bursting with live entertainment and fun.