The Connections Programme

The Asylum is Kneehigh's new home, and we want it to be an open house. From youth groups, to adults with learning difficulties, from Brownies to skateboarders - we passionately believe in building a non-elite audience. With this in mind, we have pioneered the Connections Programme to extend an invitation to our magical theatre tent for those who, for a variety of reasons, wouldn't normally attend. Working in partnership with our supporters and a variety of voluntary, community and social organisations across Cornwall, we offered a thousand free or heavily subsidised tickets to a wide variety of targeted groups and individuals, therefore breaking down social boundaries and allowing greater access to the Kneehigh experience.

This year the Connections Programme is supported by Feast, Skinner's, 'A Night Less Ordinary', The Drapers' Company and Rob & Jane Hartley.

As part of this programme, we've offered two Artists in Residence an opportunity to respond to the Asylum in their own unique way. This year's projects are...


The Roads Less Travelled
by Anna Maria Murphy

In the build-up to the Asylum's opening, writer and long-time Kneehigh collaborator Anna embarked on a series of pilgrimages across Cornwall. Taking three journeys from the furthermost extremes of the county and travelling by foot, road, rail and air, Anna has collected and created a series of stories from her travels. Inspired by the places she has visited and teh people she has met, Anna has been busily compiling a book and a series of short films about her travels. On selected evenings during the Asylum season, you might even get to hear a made-to-measure story of your own as Anna presents her own Asylum Shoe Shop. You can sample Anna's stories here.


The Asylum Studio
by Steve Tanner

What is it you wanted to be? What is it you want to be? Escape for a moment, be extrovert, be introvert, be anonymous, be immortalised forever. Step into the Asylum Studio, answer either of teh questions and have your photograph taken by Steve Tanner. The collection of portraits taken during this residency will become an online exhibition updated daily. Visit the Asylum Studio here.


As if that wasn't enough, the fabulous Cscape girls will be performing specially choreographed pieces fusing Cornish clog dancing, Lindy Hop and swing.