Creatives in Cornwall – James D’Arcy

At a time when Cornwall is brimming with creative talent, we're focusing a light on artists, makers, practitioners and teachers - a few of the people we see doing incredible things in our region. What better day to start sharing these than today, on World Theatre Day.

HfC is here for everyone in Cornwall, and our sector is a big part of that. Through our Husa programme HfC provides support, workspace, talent development and career pathways for more than 400 Cornwall- based artists and sector colleagues.

Together, we're ensuring Cornwall's reputation as a dynamo for innovative creative enterprises continues through future generations.

First up, we’re celebrating James D’Arcy, who juggles work in the HfC Get Creative team alongside duties as Assistant Director on our Cornwall Playhouse Productions and is a passionate practitioner whose infectious energy will be well known by so many young people in the region!

Originally from Towcester, James ran away to Cornwall nearly a decade ago to study Acting at Falmouth University, a world he credits for laying the stepping stones to his work with youth and community groups at HfC.

We asked James a few questions about his work and what creativity means to him…

What do you do at HfC? 

It feels like there is barely a department in the theatre I haven’t touched!

Most of my time is taken by the Get Creative Department, a small and mighty team of people doing the most wonderful things.

One of my most enjoyable roles is in directing and facilitating our Youth Theatre & Young Company, helping to produce their shows and trying to show them how to play and become confident in themselves and their abilities, so I’ve always got at least 4 plays going on at a time! And during the latter part of the year I’ve been working as Assistant Director on Cornwall Playhouse Productions’ Christmas Shows!

Around that I’m involved with our School, Community & Artist Development (HUSA) programs- so often get bused all over Cornwall for workshops, groups & school productions, and help facilitate our Schools & Community showcases on the main stage, running backstage to help hundreds of young people perform on the stage for the first time. New Artist Network & Community Club Groups- and look forward to starting up Next Stage our new theatre group for the over 60s- in the coming months!

The other major part of my days is spent working at the Stage Door & Husa Reception - the nerve centre of day-to-day operations at our base in Truro, which in itself is 1000 tiny jobs and systems, from general enquiries to. It’s been amazing to see how the theatre has grown into a brand-new self since we reopened back in 2021. It’s a tight ship and I’m in awe of all the talent off stage and on that walk through the doors every day!

So, I do all of that… and then just a casual bit of:

Follow spotting, heritage touring, costume and props making, furniture building, sign & poster designing, education conferencing, lead chaperoning, RSC ambassadoring, first aiding, parading, furniture moving, tannoy voicing, lost property sorting, room & event booking, floor mopping…

Simple job, really!

What is it that you love most about theatre?

I love stories, in all forms. The way there are infinite possibilities for what stories you tell and how you tell them. I like the way theatre can bring out almost any emotion in people, from playful joy to heartache. I like seeing people work together to create something from nothing.

I was set in my head from swapping my degree from Acting to TV & Film, but we had this amazing 111 years of theatre history lecture series in my first semester that got me hooked on all the things theatre can be, weird, wonderful, classic, and dramatic. There is something for everyone – on and off stage.

Why does creativity matter?

I think taking part in creative activities at any age is important. It’s the gateway to understanding and surviving in this world.

Through my life I have seen countless times people using the arts and creative outlets as a lifeline, it helps people cope, it helps people grow and it helps people thrive. Simple as that.