West by South West - John Chancer's Time in Cornwall

Mousehole, West of Penzance

Touring the CHORALE Roadshow round Britain provided actor John Chancer with his first opportunity to visit Cornwall. Here he writes of his experiences and of his thoughts of back home.

Standing stone near Mousehole

Being born and bred in Western America I’m ashamed to say that I hadn’t visited the western part of my adopted country till I played Falmouth and Penzance with CHORALE. I honestly didn’t know what to expect but after heading west out of Exeter it was very clear I wasn’t in South Dakota any more. The train journey was spectacular, red cliffs on one side and the sea on the other. One of the major differences between Cornwall and Western USA is the color (or colour if you insist!). At this time of year there is nothing west of the Mississippi that is so green unless it is irrigated or in the Rockies. There is a marked similarity in the friendliness of the people. The audiences and crews in both theatres seemed to be as pleased with us being there as we were.  My regret is that I didn’t have more time to explore this remarkable country and people.   

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