Update
CEO Sara Rhodes to leave Sterts
It’s all change at Sterts, with the departure of CEO and creative director Sara Rhodes, who has led the arts and environmental centre through a series of major developments over the past 18 months.
Sara, who joined Sterts in September 2024 and steered the site’s evolution, will be taking up a new post at The Box in Plymouth from April.
The first point of contact will continue to be general manager Lucy Donald: lucydonald@stertsarts.org or 01579-362382.
Speaking of her time at Sterts, Sara said:
“Leading Sterts over the past 18 months has been a real privilege. I’ve been inspired by Cornwall’s vibrant artistic community and by the volunteers, audiences and supporters who care so deeply about this organisation. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved during a period of change and renewal, and I look forward to watching the next chapter unfold for this unique and remarkable organisation on the edge of Bodmin Moor.”
Thanking Sara for her contribution to the development of the organisation and in devising the 2026 programme, Sterts Chair of Trustees Mark Brownrigg said:
“Sara has done a great job setting up the new direction for Sterts and we are very grateful to her for all she has done. Sterts is in a very different place today – and our programme for 2026 now on sale. We wish Sara every success, both in her new role at The Box in Plymouth and for the future generally.”
Meanwhile, a busy programme of top-class theatre, music, dance and comedy is being rolled out in the coming weeks as staff and volunteers prepare to welcome audiences to celebrate the venue’s 40th year as a charity.
Among those scheduled to grace the Sterts stage in the coming months are some familiar big names, including acclaimed musician and songwriter Sarah McQuaid, Cornwall’s own Miracle Theatre, children’s theatre experts Squashbox, the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth, Kneehighfounder-member Dave Mynne, Sterts stalwarts Teylu Theatre Company with their production of Calendar Girls, and the massed voices of Cornwall International Male Choral Festival.
“Our 2026 season feels like a natural and exciting evolution of everything we began in the Barn Theatre in 2025,” said Sara. “As we celebrate 40 years as a registered charity, this programme leans further into our Cornish roots, championing bold, homegrown talent alongside theatre, music, dance and community experiences that reflect the creativity and resilience that have always defined Sterts.”
There’s theatre from Ha Hum Ah, touring their new production, Making A Killing, and OVO’s reworking of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Ernest, which features physical comedy, 1920s sparkle and a live jazz soundtrack remixing music by everyone from Lizzo to Eminem and Beyonce to The Beach Boys. The award-winning Dash Arts brings three performances of Our Public House, a big-hearted show about social change that’s set in a pub in a community where the entire population of the village spoiled their ballot papers at the general election.
As well as theatre, a variety of musicians will be coming to Sterts this year, including the traditional melodies and pizzicato grooves of Filkin’s Drift, BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winning singer, song-writer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Sam Kelly, the ever-popular Dave Hankin Big Band and a Last Night of the Proms extravaganza performance by Roche Brass Band and Sterts Singers.
For those who enjoy the tribute scene, there’s also plenty on offer, with Gallagher brothers exponents Oasiz, Abba impressionists Take A Chance On Us, This Is Floyd, complete with light show and lasers, and The Americana Revue.
Dance comes courtesy of a fusion of contemporary and classical Persian styles provided by She Company, Kook Ensemble’s Sand, and James Wilton Dance Company’s reworking of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. One show not to be missed by those who love Cornish history and culture is Echoes of Gonamena, which reunites the cast of the 2009 hit production, Gonamena, for two performances only on July 18, telling the true story of the Caradon mines’ boom and bust years. Written by Simon Parker and directed byOlivier-Award winner Simon Harvey, this is a “book-in-hand” dramatic reading to mark the 20th anniversary of Cornwall and West Devon being inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Another highlight is likely to be the annual Cornwall International Male Choral Festival, which will see choirs from across Cornwall and the UK performing at Sterts for the first time and featuring an appearance by the award-winning Prague Philharmonic Youth Choir. There’s also comedy magic for children with The Great Baldini, and a high-wire Beach Party from Swamp Circus.
“From the fierce originality of Scary Little Girls and Ha Hum Ah, to the joyful energy and skill of Swamp Circus and the return of the much-loved Miracle Theatre and the Cornish Rock Choir, this season honours where we’ve come from while looking confidently to the future,” said Sara. “Our continued partnership with Carn to Cove and the expansion of our live music and community offer ensure that Sterts remains a place where artists and audiences come together in meaningful and memorable ways.”
For full details of Sterts 2026 programme visit What's On
Sara, who joined Sterts in September 2024 and steered the site’s evolution, will be taking up a new post at The Box in Plymouth from April.
The first point of contact will continue to be general manager Lucy Donald: lucydonald@stertsarts.org or 01579-362382.
Speaking of her time at Sterts, Sara said:
“Leading Sterts over the past 18 months has been a real privilege. I’ve been inspired by Cornwall’s vibrant artistic community and by the volunteers, audiences and supporters who care so deeply about this organisation. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved during a period of change and renewal, and I look forward to watching the next chapter unfold for this unique and remarkable organisation on the edge of Bodmin Moor.”
Thanking Sara for her contribution to the development of the organisation and in devising the 2026 programme, Sterts Chair of Trustees Mark Brownrigg said:
“Sara has done a great job setting up the new direction for Sterts and we are very grateful to her for all she has done. Sterts is in a very different place today – and our programme for 2026 now on sale. We wish Sara every success, both in her new role at The Box in Plymouth and for the future generally.”
Meanwhile, a busy programme of top-class theatre, music, dance and comedy is being rolled out in the coming weeks as staff and volunteers prepare to welcome audiences to celebrate the venue’s 40th year as a charity.
Among those scheduled to grace the Sterts stage in the coming months are some familiar big names, including acclaimed musician and songwriter Sarah McQuaid, Cornwall’s own Miracle Theatre, children’s theatre experts Squashbox, the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth, Kneehighfounder-member Dave Mynne, Sterts stalwarts Teylu Theatre Company with their production of Calendar Girls, and the massed voices of Cornwall International Male Choral Festival.
“Our 2026 season feels like a natural and exciting evolution of everything we began in the Barn Theatre in 2025,” said Sara. “As we celebrate 40 years as a registered charity, this programme leans further into our Cornish roots, championing bold, homegrown talent alongside theatre, music, dance and community experiences that reflect the creativity and resilience that have always defined Sterts.”
There’s theatre from Ha Hum Ah, touring their new production, Making A Killing, and OVO’s reworking of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Ernest, which features physical comedy, 1920s sparkle and a live jazz soundtrack remixing music by everyone from Lizzo to Eminem and Beyonce to The Beach Boys. The award-winning Dash Arts brings three performances of Our Public House, a big-hearted show about social change that’s set in a pub in a community where the entire population of the village spoiled their ballot papers at the general election.
As well as theatre, a variety of musicians will be coming to Sterts this year, including the traditional melodies and pizzicato grooves of Filkin’s Drift, BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winning singer, song-writer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Sam Kelly, the ever-popular Dave Hankin Big Band and a Last Night of the Proms extravaganza performance by Roche Brass Band and Sterts Singers.
For those who enjoy the tribute scene, there’s also plenty on offer, with Gallagher brothers exponents Oasiz, Abba impressionists Take A Chance On Us, This Is Floyd, complete with light show and lasers, and The Americana Revue.
Dance comes courtesy of a fusion of contemporary and classical Persian styles provided by She Company, Kook Ensemble’s Sand, and James Wilton Dance Company’s reworking of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. One show not to be missed by those who love Cornish history and culture is Echoes of Gonamena, which reunites the cast of the 2009 hit production, Gonamena, for two performances only on July 18, telling the true story of the Caradon mines’ boom and bust years. Written by Simon Parker and directed byOlivier-Award winner Simon Harvey, this is a “book-in-hand” dramatic reading to mark the 20th anniversary of Cornwall and West Devon being inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Another highlight is likely to be the annual Cornwall International Male Choral Festival, which will see choirs from across Cornwall and the UK performing at Sterts for the first time and featuring an appearance by the award-winning Prague Philharmonic Youth Choir. There’s also comedy magic for children with The Great Baldini, and a high-wire Beach Party from Swamp Circus.
“From the fierce originality of Scary Little Girls and Ha Hum Ah, to the joyful energy and skill of Swamp Circus and the return of the much-loved Miracle Theatre and the Cornish Rock Choir, this season honours where we’ve come from while looking confidently to the future,” said Sara. “Our continued partnership with Carn to Cove and the expansion of our live music and community offer ensure that Sterts remains a place where artists and audiences come together in meaningful and memorable ways.”
For full details of Sterts 2026 programme visit What's On
