The Body

The Body is a funny, thought-provoking play by Cornish writer Nick Darke.

We will be performing The Body to show our support and to raise money for Ukraine using powerful and thought-provoking drama and creating solidarity in these times of crisis.

Two rivals in a north Cornish parish separately discover a dead body while cockling under The Old Iron Bridge. But they’re not the only ones to claim possession: the Rector wants to bury it, the policeman wants to arrest it, and the Americans from the airbase are also involved. But what is their real interest?

Written by Cornish author Nick Darke in 1983 and first staged by the RSC, the play has been described as Under Milk Wood meets Dr Strangelove. Elements of both are combined by Nick Darke’s extraordinary writing skills.

The Body was written around the time of the Cold War between Russia and the West. In 1983 American Cruise missiles were deployed to RAF Greenham Common in Berkshire amid protest from the Women’s Peace Movement. It was high profile news material at the time. What was less well known was that American nuclear weapons, specifically US Navy nuclear torpedoes, guarded by US Marines, were deployed to RAF St Mawgan which now shares real estate with Newquay Airport. So, the setting for The Body is in a Cornish parish that backs onto an airbase, somewhere near the coast.

There will be evening performances from Tuesday 26 April to Friday 29 April at 7.30 pm and a matinee on Saturday 30 April at 2.30 pm. Audience numbers have been reduced from 108 to 72 due to Covid. We will be offering our usual array of desserts in the interval. Wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages will be available to purchase at the bar. Tea and coffee will also be available. Tickets are on sale now. Ticket price: £12 or £13 including an electronic programme.