St Ives is famous for its dedication to the arts and its love of theatre and film is unrivalled, celebrating plays and the stage all to the stunning backdrop of the ocean. If you’re a fan of the theatre and cinema, St Ives provides a gorgeous setting to enjoy your favourite films and plays and discover some new ones in the process.
Below we’ve listed nine of the best theatres and cinemas in St Ives and the surrounding area to help you plan the perfect theatre lovers trip.
1. Minack Theatre Cornwall
While not in St Ives itself, no list about theatres in Cornwall would ever be complete without mentioning the Minack Theatre, four miles away from Land’s End on the cliffs of Porthcurno.
Dreamt up and created by Rowena Cade, the Minack is an open-air amphitheatre set right on the edge of a cliff, cutting a dramatic figure above the beach below with performances backed by the sound and sights of the ocean beyond.
A wide variety of shows are put on at the Minack from musical performances to Shakespeare to original local plays that celebrate creativity. The theatre also holds workshops, such as Play in a Day that gives kids a creative outlet and the opportunity to put on a show at the end of the day.
Aside from watching music,plays or films, you can also take a guided tour of the Minack, learning its history or take some time to explore the Minack Garden, a colourful paradise grown along the cliff, using the rocks as shelter from the wind.
You can also head down to the beach if you’re early for your performance or have some time after. It’s a great beach for paddling and its white sands and rich blue waters make it the perfect place to relax, especially on warm summer days.
2. St Ives’ Theatre
In St Ives proper you will find St Ives’ Theatre run by Kidz R Us, a youth theatre company that encourages creativity in children, teenagers and young adults putting on shows in town including musicals and a traditional Christmas panto.
Their wide variety of shows include Les Miserables and Annie Jr, along with past productions of Our House, Sister Act and Jack and the Beanstalk. There’s always something for everyone, marking a good fun day out with friends and family.
Their award winning productions have taken them everywhere from the renowned Minack Theatre detailed above to massive venues such as the London Palladium in the West End. They put on plenty of performances during half terms and holidays making them the perfect theatrical stop-off while on holiday with your kids.
3. The Guildhall
The historic Guildhall in St Ives is famous for its acoustics making it the perfect venue for live entertainment including occasionally hosting plays and productions from local companies. In the past they have shown adaptations of Sleeping Beauty, Everyman and King Lear through the company Miracle Theatre as well as A Christmas Carol.
They also show live music, comedy shows and LDN Wrestling have toured here as well, providing something for everyone no matter their interests.
As a pseudo hub of the community, the Guildhall also hosts weekly farmer’s markets and artisan markets, allowing visitors to sample and explore the very best of St Ives’ lifestyle. Whether you’re able to catch a play here or not, there’s always something going on at the Guildhall with the guarantee that you’ll never be bored.
4. Royal St Ives Cinema
The Royal St Ives Cinema is famous for putting on a diverse range of shows, giving viewers a taste of everything from new cinema releases, old favourites, Royal Opera and plays screened from the National Theatre in London.
It’s a great all purpose cinema for anyone looking to try something new, revisit a classic or sit down to the latest blockbuster with friends. It makes for the perfect trip whatever the time of year but is especially good for giving travellers a place to escape to on cold or rainy days.
5. St Ives Arts Club
St Ives Arts Club celebrates a wide range of creative mediums including art, photography, film, music and theatre productions. They provide a venue to hire for events and host a number of galleries, exhibitions and performances for guests to attend.
They are a big part of St Ives’ September Festival, showing films and music over the duration of the two weeks encouraging creativity and paying tribute to the artistic roots that make St Ives what it is.
Along with their events and productions, the club also has regular activities that visitors can take part in. These include art groups where participants can come and practice their own art skills for a few hours though it’s important to check availability as the sessions are often pretty heavily booked.
There is also a cabaret on the first Thursday of every month with performances ranging from poetry and music to comedy and film.
6. The Poly
If you’re on a longer trip to St Ives and are looking for more opportunities to sample plays and film, you can head over to the Poly in Falmouth, 20 miles away from St Ives.
It’s a well-known centre for local arts and culture to be celebrated with plenty of performances and plays put on here that are bound to be something new for you to discover, immersing yourself in the creative spirit of Cornwall.
All creative mediums have a place here from film and theatre to exhibitions and workshops to make your visit more interactive and encourage your own creativity as well. It’s the perfect venue for families, taking fun courses together or catching the latest film or play that will have you buzzing for the rest of the day.
7. Newlyn Filmhouse
A two-screen independent cinema built in an old Fish Cellar and Smokery, Newlyn Filmhouse over near Penzance is only roughly 8 miles away from St Ives, making it the perfect stop for cinema lovers who want an artistic and intimate cinema experience.
They show a diverse range of performances from plays filmed at the National Theatre to Royal Opera screenings. They also show cult classics and foreign language films, giving lesser known cinema titles a platform in Cornwall and creating an inclusive cinema experience that introducers viewers to films that may not have been on their radar.
The Filmhouse also comes with a 30-seater restaurant and bar, making for a cosy dining experience you can enjoy a meal before or after your film and create a complete experience at the venue regardless of whether you’re looking for a quick bite to eat or a more substantial meal.
8. Regal Cinema
15 miles away from St Ives in Redruth, you can find the Art-Deco inspired Regal Cinema creates a retro cinema experience that is sure to leave an impression.
The cinema has its own bar and restaurant with offers based on buying meals and tickets and the cinema is one of the largest cinema venues in Cornwall as well as hosting live events such as comedy nights.
All the latest blockbusters and movie releases are shown here to keep viewers up to date with their most anticipated releases as well as showing classics and royal opera house showings, giving enough variety to ensure everyone leaves happy and providing comfortable and luxurious seating that fit and complement the retro aesthetic of the rest of the cinema.
9. Hall for Cornwall
Hall for Cornwall in Truro is one of the biggest venues for live performances and events in the county and even though it’s 25 miles away from St Ives, it’s well worth a visit to catch a play, a live concert or the latest musical, dance or opera show.
You’re always guaranteed to catch a prestigious show at the Hall for Cornwall. Catch a play like The Woman in Black or 2:22 direct from the West End or live music from tribute acts celebrating the best of ABBA, Tina Turner, Pink Floyd and Johnny Cash to name but a few.
The Hall for Cornwall is rich in heritage or history making it a worthwhile trip just to experience theatre and shows in a culturally immersive setting. They host everything from family favourites to live educational talks and documentaries. Whether you want to learn something or just relax for a couple of hours, the Hall for Cornwall is the place to be.
Where to Stay in St Ives
While you’re in St Ives and making the most of the theatre and cinema experience in Cornwall, one of our holiday cottages or apartments will make the perfect place for you to relax and recharge as you plan where to go next on your trip.
You may want to stay by the sea in one of our holiday apartments such as Crow’s Nest, giving you beautiful views out over the Harbour and putting you a stone’s throw away from the heart of town.
This and other properties such as Treholme and Step ‘N’ Sea put you minutes away from the centre of town within walking distance of venues such as the St Ives Theatre and the Royal St Ives Cinema. The properties are also dog friendly in case you want to take your favourite pet on your holiday with you.
The most important thing to remember when planning the perfect cinema or theatre trip is to make sure you’ve double checked availability and booked in advance to ensure you can have the perfect stress-free cinema trip. After you’ve got the admin out of the way, the only thing left to do is sit back and enjoy your chosen showing.
