Plays performed in the middle ages in the Cornish language will be brought to life for 21st century audiences in a new project involving young people from all over Cornwall.
The Ordinalia is a series of medieval mystery plays and they contain what are thought to be the world’s oldest stage directions recorded in writing.
One of only three surviving copies of the manuscript is on loan to Kresen Kernow and forms the centerpiece of an exhibition ’Out of the Ordinary’ running in Redruth until the autumn.
Now, with a £100,000 grant from Cornwall Council, two productions are planned, using both Cornish and English, which will breathe new life into these ancient tales.
Kneehigh Theatre will be working with the Hall for Cornwall’s Youth Theatre to create a show inspired by the homecoming of the Ordinalia to the county.
And in 2021, the St Just and District CIO will stage productions of all three plays in the historic Plen an Gwari ampitheatre in St Just.
Money from Cornwall Council will help both projects to unlock further funding from bodies such as Arts Council England. While Kneehigh will be providing training opportunities for young people who are keen to work in the theatre sector, St Just and District Trust CIO will be undertaking a large-scale community production inviting local people of all ages and abilities to take part as actors, singers, musicians, makers or backstage crew on their productions.
Bob Egerton, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for Culture, said: ’Cornwall’s culture, arts, language and heritage are at the heart of our identity. They are important to many residents as they help give us a real sense of place and community. They’re also important to our visitors and the economy as they make us distinctive, not just in the UK but globally.
’These productions will bring about a new awareness of the Ordinalia, one of Cornwall’s cultural treasures.’