Review & Interview: A show deeply rooted in Cornwall
Telling stories has been at the heart of live theatre for centuries, and O-Region’s White Horse, based on Michael Morpurgo’s novel The White Horse of Zennor and Other Stories, is truly storytelling at its best.
Written and adapted by Simon Harvey, the show follows 16-year-old Annie Veluna on her reluctant trip to visit her estranged father, Arthur Veluna, on his farm over the summer. The show has its feet deeply rooted into its Cornish soil, being based in Zennor, West Cornwall, and encourages audiences to embrace their homeland through the gripping stories inspired by its unique landscape.
Under Harvey’s meticulous direction, assisted by Millie Jones, Chloe Endean executes a wonderful transformation as Annie, from an irritated city dweller with no service, to finally embracing the Cornish countryside. Darcey Vanhinsbergh creates a beautifully complicated relationship as her father Arthur (as well as his Spanish ancestor Miguel) with his farm, in times of hardship and pride. Even ‘The Kernow King’, Edward Rowe, lives full-heartedly to his Cornish roots as the well-suited Sam Trelochie, with touching moments of selflessness and vulnerability within his role.
Ben Sutcliffe and Zaid Al-Rikabi (The People’s Strings Foundation), alongside Musical Supervisor Richard Healey, have composed a gentle, folklike score, which lifts each scene from its script. Mary Woodvine fantastically portrays the mysterious outcast Miss Marney. Finally, Rachel Leonard, the show’s Puppetry Director, brings to life the majestic horse (created by Mae Voogd and Alice King) that inspires the show, as well as other characters the entire family will love. With most actors taking on multiple roles, each one deserves credit for their flexibility and distinctive characterisation between every role.
Multiple creatives involved in the show have previously worked with Cornwall’s highly-acclaimed Kneehigh, including Harvey as their Associate Director. It is heartwarming to watch its legacy maintained onstage. Harvey, and his creative team, successfully integrate live music, projection and puppetry altogether to accompany the stories the show has to share. However, O-Region takes its own approach to the material. The production’s set design, by Daniel Richardson and Marion Harrison, creates an immersive, yet flexible backdrop for each scene to take place, and its projections, (especially its rain) pushes the boundaries of a classic proscenium arch. Lyndie Wright’s puppet design cleverly introduces additional characters within each story, with their integration providing some of the show’s best moments.
Although at times the stories were difficult to follow in relation to the show’s chronology, White Horse presents the entire family with a beautiful, overarching anecdote set in the 21st Century. With moments of joy, it’s infused with community, ancestry and pride for its Cornish foundations. After its successful run at the Regal Theatre, Redruth, in March 2025, ‘White Horse’ is now hopefully due to gallop across the country on its UK tour from late 2026 onwards.
For an interview with the Director Simon Harvey, find Lauren’s other article on www.theladderredruth.com/news