Port Eliot is well known for its one-offs, many of which are never listed in the programme, but spring up unannounced to surprise and delight. Since you’ve twisted our arm, we’ll let you into some favourites (the ones we’re allowed to tell you about, at least!)
1. Flamenco from Jerez de la Frontera
We are thrilled to be teleporting the internationally-acclaimed flamenco performance, LOLA, from the “cradle of Flamenco” Jerez de la Frontera, onto our front garden in blighty. Song, dance, and beautiful toque guitar. Prepare to be thoroughly wowed.
2. Midnight trapeze shows in front of the house
Above and Beyond will be raising our hairs from a great height on the front lawn each night, in their midnight trapeze shows, as well as holding daily circus workshops to introduce you to the fun and excitement of trapeze, rope, aerial hoop and tightrope walking.
3. London African Gospel Choir in 12th century Priory
PUT THIS IN YOUR MUST-DO LIST NOW! Gig of the century. The London African Gospel Choir will be playing in the ancient St Germans church (which happens to be the oldest church in Cornwall!) on the Sunday of the festival, and there’s a very real danger of the roof blowing off.
4. Baking with actress Teri Hatcher
Come and marvel at the savoury muffins that secured the fabled ‘Hollywood Handshake’. Fresh from her triumphant Great British Bake-Off appearance, Teri Hatcher will be in the Big Kitchen on the Festival Saturday & at the Open Fire with Paul Ainsworth (she’ll also be teaching Survival Skills at the fest, but that’s another story). #Hatchmania
5. Bedtime stories read by Samantha Morton & Shappi Khorsandi
The kids are very lucky indeed. This year in our new kids area Wildlings Wood, our nightly bedtime stories will be read by the shining stars of the fest, including Samantha Morton and Shappi Khorsandi.
6. The Round Room in Augmented Reality
This might be the best thing ever to grace our Round Room… get ready for a new pioneering Augmented Reality piece from Scott Fletcher which will bring Robert Lenkiewicz’s mural alive!
“A New Way Round” is a fascinating digital expression of the characters depicted in the enormous mural, which was completed over 30 years and encircles the entire room. Through a provided handheld device, you can explore the mural and release 3D visuals with spatialised audio of conversations, quotes and comments. Made possible by Arts Council England and Plymouth University.
7. A tribute to Heathcote
Also in the Round Room is a one-off tribute to Heathcote Williams. The Immortalist is a play on the nature of time, ageing and death, written by Heathcote Williams in 1977 and originally produced in the Round Room. This year, it’s back in its home and it’ll be performed by Wandering Albatross.
8. An amazing, secret musical collaboration…
We’re not allowed to tell you what exactly, but we’re very, VERY excited about a certain surprise musical collaboration between some of our headliners. Ehem. Shhhh….
9. Live like the vikings
Choose your tent pitch carefully this year - you may end up with the Cornish chapter of the Vikings as neighbours. The Morvleydh encampment will be living like vikings all weekend, and teaching you as well. In their Viking 101 you’ll learn how a Skirmish camp was constructed, what its inhabitants ate, wore and crafted, and learn all about Viking weapons and how they were used. There are still a handful of advance spaces left, book in here.
10. Swim with a professional mermaid
Anyone who has signed up for our Wild Swim this year will be bobbing alongside the long flowing locks of a real life (professional) mermaid. Advance tickets are sold out now, but as with all Makers’ Tent and Great Outdoors workshops we’ve held back 40% of all tickets for selling on site. To take part, go to the Makers’ Tent reception at 10am to buy tickets for that day.
11. Try vodka made from cow’s milk
Have you ever tried milk vodka? Black Cow Vodka host the festival’s infamous saloon bar, where you can taste this unusual delicacy all weekend. We can confirm that it’s delicious!
