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.
Centre Stage was the newsletter produced for Friends of Hall for Cornwall in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It contained details of events, performances and exclusive offers for those who had made a donation to become a Friends Member of HfC.
Centre Stage was the newsletter produced for Friends of Hall for Cornwall in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It contained details of events, performances and exclusive offers for those who had made a donation to become a Friends Member of HfC.
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Pictured in this photograph is Ann Jennings who ran the flea markets at City Hall, HfC’s director Chris Warner and Ben Luxon who bought City Hall’s 125 year lease for £1.00 from Carrick District Council in the 1980s. The number they are pictured holding is The Hall for Cornwall Trust charity number.
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In the early 20th century, civic leaders decided to make City Hall’s market hall available for public use. Since then, the Hall has operated as an extremely flexible and versatile arts, performance and events venue and has held many a function during its 100 year history as a public space. This photograph is from a music event which was held at the Hall in the period 1993-94. Taken from the back of the theatre space, it showcases the interior architecture of the Hall’s vaulted roof on Doric columns whilst also conveying the electric atmosphere of the packed space.
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In the early 20th century, civic leaders decided to make City Hall’s market hall available for public use. Since then, the Hall has operated as an extremely flexible and versatile arts, performance and events venue and has held many a function during its 100 year history as a public space. This photograph features the bar staff replenishing the till during a musical performance in the former market hall space, c. 1993-94.
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In the early 20th century, civic leaders decided to make City Hall’s market hall available for public use. Since then, the Hall has operated as an extremely flexible and versatile arts, performance and events venue and has held many a function during its 100 year history as a public space. This is photograph features the bar in the market hall space during a music event in the period 1993-94.
Dennis Arbon was an unwavering supporter and eventual trustee of Hall for Cornwall. His relationship with HfC began in the 1990s when he stepped in to make considerable financial donations to the theatre, its associated organisations and fundraising campaigns. He was then appointed to the venue’s board in the late 1990’s and served for four years as Chair, helping in the process to secure the future of the theatre during a period of significant financial difficulty. Dennis was awarded an MBE for his outstanding services and philanthropic contributions to the arts and the community in Cornwall in 2013.
This photograph features Edwin John Paddy, who formed the Cornwall Motor Transport orchestra. His father was Edwin James Paddy who toured the country playing the string double bass with the famous D’Oyley Carte Opera Orchestra and the tuba for the Royal Italian Band throughout the 1880s. At the turn of the century, James was playing in the Seymour Pile Orchestra and then with his own Riviera Orchestra. The Riviera Orchestra were in great demand and regularly performed at Truro City Hall. Edwin James’ son, Edwin John, joined the Riviera Orchestra as a violinist and both father and son played a huge role in Truro’s local music scene. However, John’s progressive attitude to music caused him to eventually leave and form the Cornwall Motor Transport orchestra.
A black and white photograph of dancers from a performance, taken back stage at City Hall c. 1930s-50s.