25 September 2026
The Cornwall-based rural touring scheme celebrates 25 years of culture, connection and community. We sat down with Louise Kemp to talk about the scheme’s beginnings, the changing rural touring landscape, and their celebration plans.
Tell us about Carn to Cove. How did it all begin?
Founded in 2001 following a successful pilot project, Carn to Cove was established by Amanda Harris and Ross Williams, with support from Arts Council England and Cornwall Council.
What began as an ambitious vision to bring high-quality performance to Cornwall’s rural communities has grown into one of the South West’s leading rural touring schemes.
Today, Carn to Cove is part of Creative Kernow, based at Krowji in Redruth, and continues to connect Cornwall’s communities with outstanding theatre, music, dance, comedy, storytelling and family performances. For 25 years, the scheme has championed the belief that where you live should not determine your access to culture.
“Over the years we have seen how live performance can spark conversations, combat isolation and contribute to thriving, resilient communities across Cornwall.”
How does your work impact local communities?
The impact of Carn to Cove reaches far beyond the performances themselves. Through our network of volunteer promoters and community venues, we empower local people to choose and host professional arts events in the heart of their communities.
Whether in village halls, chapels, libraries, schools or community centres, audiences can enjoy exceptional live performances close to home, often in places where access to the arts can otherwise be limited. The events bring people together, strengthen community connections, reduce barriers to cultural participation, and create memorable shared experiences.
Over the years we have seen how live performance can spark conversations, combat isolation and contribute to thriving, resilient communities across Cornwall.
How did you become involved in rural touring, and Carn to Cove?
I am currently the maternity cover for Francesca Duncan, Programme Manager for Carn to Cove. However, my connection with rural touring goes back much further.
I have worked in theatre and the arts for more than 30 years, and some of my earliest experiences were touring productions with Beaford Arts in Devon. Later, I toured my own theatre company to village halls and community venues across Cornwall. Those experiences gave me a firsthand understanding of the unique relationship rural touring creates between artists and audiences, and I am delighted to be part of Carn to Cove during such a significant year in its history.
“Carn to Cove has brought more than 1,300 performances to audiences across the county, worked with over 2,300 artists, and reached approximately 45,000 audience members.”
Why is rural touring so important?
Rural touring plays a vital role in ensuring that people living in rural and isolated communities can experience high-quality arts and culture without having to travel long distances.
It creates opportunities for artists to reach new audiences and develop sustainable touring circuits, while giving communities access to performances that might otherwise never reach their area. Importantly, rural touring is built on local engagement, with volunteers and communities playing an active role in selecting and hosting events.
The rural touring network also fosters collaboration across the country. Through initiatives such as the Rural Touring Dance Initiative, The Inn Crowd and Create Tour Connect, schemes like Carn to Cove help artists develop work, build audiences and tour nationally. Rural touring demonstrates that excellent arts experiences can happen anywhere.
How does it feel to turn 25? Have you got any celebrations planned?
Reaching 25 years is a remarkable milestone and a wonderful opportunity to reflect on everything Carn to Cove has achieved with communities, artists, volunteers and partners across Cornwall.
Since 2001, Carn to Cove has brought more than 1,300 performances to audiences across the county, worked with over 2,300 artists, and reached approximately 45,000 audience members. We have been privileged to work with many extraordinary companies and artists, including Kneehigh, Miracle Theatre, Scratchworks and Tête à Tête.
To celebrate this anniversary, our Autumn/Winter season features more shows and more venues than ever before, ensuring even more opportunities for audiences to engage with live performance. We are also marking the occasion on 25 September at Perranporth Memorial Hall with an evening of memories, celebration and a performance by long-time Carn to Cove favourite Charlie Bicknell in Women on the Edge.
.
How has the rural touring landscape changed since you first started?
When I first started in theatre, rural touring was often associated with small-scale productions travelling from village hall to village hall. While those intimate shows still remain an important part of the sector, the range and ambition of work touring rurally has expanded significantly.
Today, there is a much broader variety of productions, artists and artforms embracing rural touring. The sector is increasingly connected nationally, enabling artists to tour more extensively and develop sustainable careers. Digital communication and social media have also transformed how venues engage audiences, helping schemes like Carn to Cove reach new communities and attract people who may not previously have attended live performances.
“Rural touring demonstrates that excellent arts experiences can happen anywhere.”
What future projects or shows are you excited about?
One project I am particularly excited about is Pipeline Theatre’s new production George & The Drag Queen, which premieres this week at Trevow Chapel in Helston. Pipeline Theatre was selected for the Create Tour Connect programme, giving the production an opportunity to tour rural venues across the country as well as Cornwall.
More broadly, I am excited by the diversity of work featured in our Autumn/Winter 2026 season. There is something for everyone, from theatre and music to comedy and family performances. We have also already begun planning our Spring/Summer 2027 programme, and I am looking forward to seeing which productions our volunteer promoters choose to bring to their communities.
Any stand out moments for you at Carn to Cove?
My year with Carn to Cove has been something of a whirlwind, but being part of the organisation during its 25th anniversary year has been incredibly special.
In a relatively short time, I have had the opportunity to meet inspiring artists, programme an Inn Crowd season, curate two Carn to Cove seasons and help lead anniversary celebrations. What has stood out most is the passion and commitment of the volunteers, artists and communities who make rural touring possible. Their enthusiasm is what keeps Carn to Cove thriving, and it has been a privilege to play a role in that story.