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About Kneehigh Theatre's
Tristan and Yseult
On Kneehigh Theatre:
"Kneehigh Theatre was founded by teacher Mike Shepherd (b1953) in Cornwall in 1980. The first phase of Kneehigh’s development commenced with theatre workshops run in Shepherd’s spare time. These workshops were a collaboration with an eclectic group of individuals – including students, a farmer, a sign writer, a thrash guitarist and an electrician – with a mandate to create work for children and their families. This company of players would become Kneehigh Theatre – with its own distinct manifesto and ethos for creating vibrant, energetic, accessible, touring productions for a wide audience. From the beginning Kneehigh approached theatre by organically developing ensemble pieces of a highly physical and spectacular nature, to be performed in local environments."
"An over-heightened sensitivity, coupled with innate naughtiness, led me to start Kneehigh."
- Mike Shepherd, 2008
The Kneehigh Barns in Gorran Haven, Cornwall
"[...] These productions were performed for families in both conventional locations such as community centres and alongside those of an increasingly unorthodox nature such as cliff tops, up trees and on abandoned industrial sites. [...] In 1989, Kneehigh celebrated the official opening of their rehearsal barns [in Cornwall]. This was the first time the Company had a permanent base to work on Research & Development and rehearsals, and remains their creative base to date. Shepherd describes the barns [as]: 'a secret, special place where we can seed ideas.' [...] One central theme of Kneehigh’s work is the Company’s commitment to the use of fairy tales, myths and legends which during the late 1980s & 1990s would come to embrace both those of a Cornish and European tradition." ​
"From their anti-establishment Cornish roots, Kneehigh negotiated their path to genuine national treasure. Through the Company’s many evolutions in its 40 year history, Kneehigh were always masters of storytelling." After the fallout from the catastrophic effects of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Kneehigh Theatre closed in 2021.​
Quoted/Images from: "This is Kneehigh" (Source)
Kneehigh Theatre's Tristan and Yseult
Production History
Summer 2003:Tristan & Yseult is co-commissioned by Nottinghamshire County Stages and performed outside in Restormel Castle, Cornwall and Rufford Abbey, Nottinghamshire.
Summer 2004: Tristan & Yseult is performed in the open air at The Minack Theatre and The Eden Project, Cornwall.
Spring 2005: Tristan & Yseult is re-conceived for the Cottesloe: a collaboration between Kneehigh Theatre and The National Theatre.
Autumn 2005: A major national tour of Tristan & Yseult visited venues such as The Lowry, Birmingham Rep, Nottingham Playhouse, West Yorkshire Playhouse and Bristol Old Vic.
Spring 2006: Tristan & Yseult visits Sydney Festival, the New Zealand International Arts Festival, and Spoleto Festival in the USA.
Summer 2013: Tristan Yseult, with a new cast and set, returns to three venues in the UK before embarking on an international tour.
Summer 2017: A revival of Tristan & Yseult sets off on a three-month tour of the UK.
2003, Restormel Castle:
2017, UK Tour:
Kneehigh Theatre's Tristan and Yseult
From the Kneehigh Artists
On Designing Tristan & Yseult
An interview with Bill Mitchell, 2017:
On Writing Tristan & Yseult
An interview with Anna Marie Murphy, 2017:
About Kneehigh's Work
Mike Shepherd at the Barns:
This is Kneehigh
British Theatre Guide Podcast episode, 2023
Clips and Trailers
Tristan & Yseult Trailer
2013 International Touring Production
Tristan & Yseult Trailer
2005 Touring Production, posted by Bristol Old Vic
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