British Pathe

Porthcurno, Cornwall.

High angle shots of the cliffs of Porthcurno. Various shots of the waves crashing over the rocks and gulls standing on the cliffs. Camera pans from shot of the sea to show the the Minack Cliff Theatre. An open air theatre perched on the cliffs.

Nice shots of...

Porthcurno, Cornwall.

High angle shots of the cliffs of Porthcurno. Various shots of the waves crashing over the rocks and gulls standing on the cliffs. Camera pans from shot of the sea to show the the Minack Cliff Theatre. An open air theatre perched on the cliffs.

Nice shots of actors making up in the open air. A woman balances a mirror on a rock whilst a man applies his make up. The actors are to perform Shakespeare's "Macbeth". The actor playing ill fated Duncan places a crown upon his head and makes an adjustment to his moustache. Another actor applies fake blood to a stage knife - we see this in C/U. C/U of the handsome actor in costume. Another actor has a fake nose applied. High angle shot of two actresses collecting pottery tankards - presumably props for the play.

High angle shot of the theatre showing the sea behind. Narrator recounts the history of the theatre as the actors begin their show. It seems to be a rehearsal as a woman sitting on the carved out steps seems to be directing them. Two of the actors drink from the pottery tankards. C/U of two spectators. High angle of the "stage" as two actors engage in a sword fight. M/S of a seagull on a rock. M/S of Gwladys (sic) Main sitting on a bench sewing a costume. She has made all the props and costumes for this production apart from the swords. C/U of Gwladys as she concentrates on her sewing. Pan down reveals that she is sewing bottle tops on the fabric to make "suits of armour". Shot of the actors performing a scene then C/U of playwright-producer Nora Ratcliffe watching the rehearsal and making notes. High angle shot of the performance. C/U of two spectators who have wrapped a blanket around their shoulders. High angle shot of the theatre and a view of the sea crashing onto rocks below.

Note: although paper records name costume maker as Gwladys - it may be a typo and could be Gladys.