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    Minack Theatre Verified listing Verified listing

    open air theatre on cliffside at Porthcurno, Cornwall

    Description

    Built on the cliffs at Porthcurno, the Minack Theatre is a Cornish landmark. Visitors can explore the theatre, enjoy live performances & discover the story of its remarkable creator, Rowena Cade.

    By appointment only
    Open hours today: By appointment only Toggle weekly schedule

    • Monday

      By appointment only

    • Tuesday

      By appointment only

    • Wednesday

      By appointment only

    • Thursday

      By appointment only

    • Friday

      By appointment only

    • Saturday

      By appointment only

    • Sunday

      By appointment only

      • April 5, 2025 11:04 am local time

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    Detailed description

    A place like no other, the world-famous Minack theatre is a must-see for visitors to Cornwall.  Sat on the rugged cliffs over-looking the breath taking views of Porthcurno Bay, you might think ancient Greeks had carved it from the granite.  In fact, less than a century ago it was a rough gully of gorse and heather dropping dizzily down to the sea.

    Today the theatre welcomes you to discover the extraordinary story of how it was created and experience the magic of live performance in this iconic space.

     

    The Minack aims to make the site available to everyone as far as they can, however the steep, rocky geography of The Minack does create some access limitations.  There is ramped access to all the visitor facilities on the site, however the main auditorium and stage are only accessible via long flights of steps.

     

    The Minack stages a full programme of live performances including a selection being audio described & BSL signed performances.

     

    Visits

    During opening hours when no performances are in progress, visitors are free to explore the theatre auditorium, stage and backstage areas at their own pace.

    For visitors who are unable or do not wish to descend steps, they offer a virtual reality tour of the theatre, via a VR headset, which will enable the wearer to experience the view of the theatre from many places around the site.  Ask about the use of VR headsets in advance or when you arrive.

     

    Performances
    The theatre holds up to maximum of 600 people for performances . Audience members are directed to the appropriate area by their team and assisted where appropriate.

    Additionally upon arrival request step free access. Viewing is available from the accessible balcony which has level access via a permanent ramp and route which is at least 1930mm wide.  The balcony offers a good view of the theatre and stage. They provide chairs with arm rests for the less mobile and the balcony is accessible to wheelchairs.  Carers and friends can sit with wheelchair users.

     

    Theatre Tours

    They offer a range of theatre tours which include walking around the site and up and down steps.  However, it is also possible to enjoy some of these tours from a stationery position at the top of the theatre via an earpiece.  This means you can hear the tour guide’s commentary live, though you will not be able to interact with him or her until they return to the top of the theatre.  Not all tours are suitable for stationery participation, so please check at the time of booking.

     

    Exhibition Centre

    From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The door is 780mm wide.  The Exhibition Centre has reasonable lighting, and a level, easily negotiable surface with a separate entrance and exit.  The doors are secured open when the site is open for visitors.
    In extreme weather, the doors may be left closed, but a member of staff will be available to assist customers as appropriate.

     

     

    Parking

    There is plenty of parking available, mostly on the grass. Blue badge parking is conveniently located right by the entrance on a tarmac surface, featuring about six designated spaces along with additional tarmacked areas that are well maintained also to mention there is a ramp for wheelchair access to the visitor centre. Since the main parking is situated elsewhere, the area remains relatively quiet. There is also ample space for mobility scooter parking.

     

    Toilet facilities

    There is one accessible toilet in the main block, designed with an interesting shape that has been effectively utilised. It includes an audio description for visually impaired users and offers space for a large wheelchair to maneuver. The grab rails are well-placed and contrast with the wall colour for better visibility. Additionally, the emergency alarm is easily reachable from the floor and is equipped with two grab handles. Also Equiped with non-slip flooring and better accessible taps.

    Accessibiliy Guide

    There is a "no questions" asked policy which allows a free ticket for a carer who is required to access the site.

    Some members of staff have disability awareness training.

    If you’re coming to a performance and would like to use the accessible balcony, please call their Box Office on +44 (0)1736 810181. Spaces are limited, so book as early as possible.

    Assistance dogs

    Assistance dogs are welcome for visits, tours and performances.  The nearest toilet area for assistance dogs would be in the field adjacent to our grass car park. However, there is an understanding that this may not always be practical and provided any mess is cleared up, this is not an issue.

    www.minack.com/visit-us/accessibility

    Useful Contacts

     

     

    Mobility / Wheelchair Support

    There is a ticket and information point in the car park . Often a member of the team will greet customers in the car park.

    There is level entrance from the carpark to the ticket point, takeaway outlet, entrance kiosk and shop in the car park. Within the site there is ramped access to the exhibition centre and café, and there is an accessible toilet. The café has a clear and easy-to-navigate layout. The tables are at a comfortable height, and the variety of seating options is excellent. Free water is available, conveniently positioned for everyone to access.

    The main entrance double door is 1930mm wide, side-hung and manually operated.  A member of staff will be able to assist.  Please request step free access on arrival.

    The route from the main entrance into the theatre includes several short flights of steps.  Alternative, step-free access suitable for wheelchairs is available via a permanent ramp.  This route involves passing through a covered space that is currently only used for access.

    Once inside the theatre, the toilets and exhibition centre both have step free access.  There is a large viewing area at the top of the auditorium for wheelchair users; This is also available for performances. Through out the pathways are well maintained with room to offer resting points along routes.

    There are over 100 steps from the accessible areas at the top of the site to the lowest part of the theatre. As the site has evolved over nearly 90 years, these steps are not uniform in size or depth. There are handrails around the site and the placing of these are reviewed annually.

     

    Mobility vehicles

    There is a area to charge mobility scooters and battery powered wheelchairs.  Scooters or wheelchairs can be charged within one of their buildings if they charge via a 13 amp plug.  You can hire mobility equipment from HSC Mobility by calling 01736 755927.

    Vision Impairment Support

    Glass doors and full-height windows have contrast markings.

    The walls and the doors have high colour contrast.

    Displays are at all eye levels encouraging you to look all around with some amazing historical artefacts and factual information on the site's past.

    Warnings signs are clear to see and placed.

     

    Audio description

    An audio guide to the theatre is available via mobile phone.  There is audio descriptive commentary and headsets.

    An audio described service can be provided on a selection of the productions, please contact the box office on 01736 810181 for more information.

    Free audio tours available via a QR code along with free WIFI.

     

    Assistance dogs

    Assistance dogs are welcome for visits, tours and performances.  The nearest toilet area for assistance dogs would be in the field adjacent to the grass car park. However, there is an understanding that this may not always be practical and provided any mess is cleared up, this is not an issue.

     

    Exhibition Centre
    The Exhibition panels have high-contrast text.  Touch-screen and audio-visual film provide details of the history of the theatre in an audio format.

     

    Hearing Impairment Support

    A hearing loop is available in the Lower Terraces and on the Accessible Balcony.  What can also be provided is Assistive Hearing Headsets, suitable for users with or without hearing aids, who may need a little extra boost from their sound.

    Minack Theatre are generally able to provide copies of scripts in advance of performances which can be followed either on paper or on a tablet device for customers who are hard of hearing.

    They offer BSL interpreted performances on a selection of their productions.

    Free wifi is available in the theatre. If you wish to use your own live transcription app, such as Live Transcribe, Dragon Anywhere or Otter AI, please let Minack Theatre know in advance, so that we can ensure you are seated in an area close to a speaker and with good wi-fi coverage. Should you require this call Box Office on +44 (0)1736 810181.

     

    Exhibition Centre 
    The Exhibition panels have high-contrast text.  Touch-screen and audio-visual film provide details of the history of the theatre in an audio format.

    Autism support

    They offer a free companion ticket, to anyone that requires it. They recommend that customers with any specific requirements (e.g. difficulties queueing etc) contact the box office and they will do their best to accommodate individual needs.  The Minack Theatre is not a conventional theatre and all our performances have an informal feel.  People are welcome to move around as and when they require. The venue also offers a lot of features like some sessions are accompanied by a BSL signer. Some performances have a live transcript service and the café has a few quieter nooks to escape to. the staff, whilst not having any formal training, are excellent.

    Additionally a photographic/video walk round of the theatre can be supplied on request.

    Learning Support

    Signage generally is great. The contrast of colours is good and the print is clear. There is continuity between the handwritten signs. The warning signs are clear and appropriately placed. Some signage is on A frames but these are placed to one side to not be a huge hazard to those with visual impairments. QR codes are included for aspects like the free audio tour.

    The theatre offers a free companion ticket, to anyone that requires it.

    The theatre recommends that customers with any specific requirements (e.g. difficulties queueing etc) contact the box office and we will do our best to accommodate individual needs.

    The Minack is not a conventional theatre and all the performances have an informal feel.  People are welcome to move around as and when they require.

     

    They can supply a photographic/video walk round of the theatre on request.

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