City Hall refurbishment

Husa at Hall for Cornwall is a co-working space for Cornish creatives, entrepreneurs, social enterprises, freelancers and small businesses that’s situated in the south wing of the building. This photograph was taken during the refurbishments of City Hall in the mid 1990s and features the space above what would eventually become the Husa space.

Benjamin Luxon CBE

Benjamin Luxon was the honorary president of the Music Theatre Kernow during the 1990s. Before this, he had enjoyed a successful career as a baritone and had toured the world as an equally renowned recitalist, concert, opera and folk singer. In the late 1980s, Ben bought City Hall’s 125 year lease for £1.00 from Carrick District Council at a point when its physical decline was reaching the point of no return. The plan was to then return the complex to a performance venue by launching a series of high profile, community led campaigns to secure funding for the renovations. Ben subsequently played an instrumental part in the community campaign to fundraise and eventually bring about the reopening of Hall For Cornwall in 1997.

Flyer for ‘An Evening to Remember’ at Hall for Cornwall, 1997

Fundraising events for Hall for Cornwall had been held throughout the 1990s in order to raise enough money to fund the refurbishment project at City Hall. This flyer advertises the Music Theatre Kernow’s ‘An Evening to Remember’ event that was held at Truro School Chapel in February 1997. The event comprised of selections from opera, operetta and musicals and promised a few surprises along the way. Featuring in the performances were Lynette Carveth, Suzanne Manuell, Julian Jensen and Anthony Seddon.

Ticket stub for The Mousehole Cat, 2014

The Duchy Ballet’s production of The Mousehole Cat and Other Ballets at the Hall For Cornwall, Truro ran between the 28th and 29th of March, 2014. The Mousehole Cat is an original ballet based on the children’s story by Antonia Barber. Barber’s story tells the tale of Old Tom, the fisherman, and his cat Mowzer, who face the the Great Storm ‘Cat’ head on to save their village.

Cinderella at Hall for Cornwall, c. 1997

City Hall Truro’s theatre opened as the newly refurbished Hall for Cornwall in November 1997. During its first Christmas season, Hall for Cornwall, in association with Albemarle Montrose Productions and C&A, staged the Cinderella pantomine. The production ran between the 19th of December and 10th of January and featured Heather Jay Jones as Cinderella and Robbie Dee as Buttons. The newly refurbished Hall also included a restauraunt called Stars which was housed on the mezzanine level overlooking the main entrance and boasted ‘an enviable reputation for first class cuisine.’