The Scarlet Pimpernel at Cardinham Woods

About

The Scarlet Pimpernel
Cardinham Woods, Bodmin, PL30 4AL
Wednesday 15th July 2026 - Saturday 1st August 2026

Ben Kernow's team, Ha Hum Ah are back in the woods for 2026. With a fast-paced retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel - revolution, romance and razor-sharp comedy are guaranteed.  IntoBodmin are a proud partner in supporting this show in coming to Cardinham Woods.

France is burning, the guillotine is busy, and Marguerite Blakeney is stuck in England with an idiot husband, a man so relentlessly foolish, it’s starting to feel strategic…However when ruthless revolutionary Chauvelin – head of the French Republic's Committee of Public Safety, with a very loose grip on the word “safety” – threatens her brother’s life, Marguerite is dragged into a world of spies, secrets and very sharp blades. Will she betray the mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel, or let her brother face the guillotine. What do you do when every choice costs you the person you love?

Three actors tear through revolutions, opera houses, seedy Dover pubs and glittering ballrooms using nothing but a mountain of wigs and sheer nerve. Expect quick-fire gags, high-octane multi-rolling in this sharply modern, joyously theatrical retelling of Baroness Orczy’s swashbuckling classic.

**VIP TICKETS ON SALE NOW ** NEW for this year's Theatre in the Woods show.
VIP tickets are on sale now - Party like it's 1792 (and you've escaped Madame guillotine)! 
There are 2 tables (4 tickets) available per show, giving you exclusive access to a separate raised VIP viewing area. Not only will you have the best seats in the house but tickets also include a bottle of Prosecco, slice of cake, and dress up items so you can feel like a royal member...of the audience!

IntoBodmin have been producing Theatre in the Woods for the last 5 years, bringing you the opportunity to experience the finest performances Cornwall has to offer in Bodmin's very own National Forest.


What to expect and what to bring:

PARKING

For 2026, Cardinham Woods have confirmed “During the summer we are open until 9pm. If you are coming to a Theatre in the Woods show you will need to pay for parking as normal, up to 9pm. During theatre performance evenings, enforcement will be suspended after 9pm to allow visitors to stay without penalty. No overnight parking unless pre-booked.”  The car park is managed by ANPR – Automatic Number Plate Recognition. There are four accessible parking bays. Blue Badge holders still need to pay for parking. Parking is free for Forestry England Members

More information here: https://www.forestryengland.uk/cardinham-woods.  You can pay for the parking at the machines or using the RingGo App. The location is 31017.

Accessibility Guide for Cardinham Woods: https://tinyurl.com/5fzxfbt6 

The performance space is in the garden, behind the Woods Café - What3Words - ///unloaded.waltz.fully

The show will begin at 7:30pm, so give yourself time to get there and set up beforehand.

The Woods Cafe closes at 4pm, so either come early for some of their delicious food and drinks, or bring your own refreshments. You're welcome to bring a picnic. 

The toilets are in the main car park, which is a 3-minute walk from the performance space.

Please bring your own chairs or blankets. We will have a few benches as a backup, if you don't have a camping chair.

The sun will be out! The space is surrounded by trees, so you may find a shady spot, but please bring sun hats and wear sun cream – and sometimes the shade can be chilly, so pack a jumper. And sometime it does rain, so pack a rain coat! Umbrellas block the view behind you, so they’re not so good, unless you stand at the back.

What happens if it does rain? The show will go on! Unless it torrential thunderstorms, in which case we will cancel the show and let you know via email that morning at the latest.

There can be midges in the air…! They might not be out at this time, but if you have any insect repellent spray, it might be worth packing that. We'll have some citronella incense sticks.