All Aboard! Wildworks and Bodmin College’s Moving Train Drama

More than 150 Bodmin College students, in collaboration with Wildworks Theatre Company, transformed a vintage railway station into the stage for a compelling new production, “Departures and Arrivals.” This unique drama unfolded on Bodmin Railway’s platform and within four carriages, taking audiences on an emotional journey as the train travelled between Bodmin General Station and Boscarne Junction.

Photo: Scenes from Departures and Arrivals at Bodmin Railway.  Credit:  Emma Mac Photography

A Community Effort

The production, performed on the last day of the college term, captivated around 250 audience members in two back-to-back shows. The Year 9 students of Bodmin College played a crucial role, weaving together real-life stories gathered from the local community. These narratives were brought to life with the invaluable assistance of volunteers from the railway and the expertise of Wildworks, Britain’s leading landscape theatre company.

Alison Dures, the college’s Head of Drama, expressed her delight at the collaboration: “For the students to have the chance to work with so many professional artists in a wonderful landscape setting like this has been phenomenal. It’s been a brilliant collaboration with Wildworks. It has sparked the students’ imaginations and helped them develop a wealth of skills which they can take with them through life.”

Sarah Waller, Talent Development Producer for Wildworks, added: “Working with Alison and the team and so many talented students has been an amazing, fun-filled adventure. Being part of a process that inspires our amazing young people to think about the rich creativity in Cornwall is essential in building the talent pipeline we need to continue to thrive as a world-class theatre company.”

Photo: Scenes from Departures and Arrivals at Bodmin Railway.  Credit:  Emma Mac Photography

A Grand Farewell

The event was especially poignant for Alison Dures, who retired as a teacher after a 40-year career, with 26 years at Bodmin College. Tributes and a special song in her honour marked the end of the journey on the platform.

Photo: Treviglas Academy’s I Am Stranger at Lusty Glaze beach. Credit:  Neal Megaw

A Broader Programme

“Departures and Arrivals” is part of “Hello Stranger,” a series of activities under the larger programme “We are Shining,” the most extensive theatre engagement effort ever staged in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This programme is backed by a £995,000 investment from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, managed by Cornwall Council and funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Photo: A scene from Fowey River Academy’s film Hello Stranger. Credit: Neal Megaw

Other Collaborations

In addition to the Bodmin production, Wildworks has collaborated with other schools in Cornwall. “I Am Stranger,” created by 150 young people from Treviglas Academy, took place on Lusty Glaze beach in Newquay on July 1. This dramatic event, attended by over 250 community members, reflected the stories of Newquay’s residents and their connection to the sea.

Another creative project, “Hello Stranger,” was developed by students from Fowey River Academy. This film, depicting the arrival of a mysterious creature at Readymoney Cove, premiered on July 8 and included interactive activities and live performances. The film can be viewed online at the Wildworks website.

Wildworks plans to continue its creative partnerships, with a similar project in the pipeline with Five Islands Academy on the Isles of Scilly.

For more information and to watch the film, visit Wildworks.