BUDE Library hosted a dance theatre performance by Cornish inclusive dance company Shallal on Friday, May 11.

People were keen to see Shallal perform extracts from their ‘Ladders and Footprints’ show inspired by the life of Victorian philanthropist, John Passmore Edwards, who gave Cornwall so many public libraries and believed in opportunities for all.

The performance combined original choreography and music created by Shallal members as well as creative writing and stunning costumes. One audience member described the show as ‘very imaginative, beautifully performed and so moving’.

Shallal’s recent library mini-tour concludes their three-year ‘Cornish Doorways’ project; a major arts and heritage project celebrating inclusivity, with exhibitions and performances at venues across Cornwall including Falmouth University, Godolphin House and the Acorn Theatre, Penzance.

Bude Library is keen for Shallal to return in the future, and there are hopes that Shallal’s planned project ‘Embodied Spaces’ will include more focus on North and East Cornwall as Shallal’s Liskeard-based performance group, ‘Out There’ grows.

‘Out There’ is delighted to be working with well-known dancer and producer Lois Taylor, and Thomas Remnant, who works with Access Theatre and Far Flung Dance Company.

You can see ‘Out There’ perform at The Blue Light Day on Wednesday, July 4 at the Royal Cornwall Showground.

Shallal creative director, Jo Willis, said: “We would like to thank all the library staff who have welcomed us. Everywhere we go people are so impressed by Passmore Edwards’ life, values and legacy. It would be fantastic to see an increase in the range of arts available at your local library, so that the legacy of Passmore Edwards can continue.”

Described as ‘one of Cornwall’s great hidden treasures’, Shallal is based in Newlyn near Penzance and has been working inclusively for over 30 years. The charity is grateful for the grass roots support as well as national funds which have enabled ‘Cornish Doorways’ to take place.

Funding partners include Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund, The Garfield Weston Foundation, FEAST Cornwall, Cornwall Community Foundation and many generous local donors.