The Tywardreath Players are once again going that extra mile during the Daphne Du Maurier Festival.

'My Cousin Rachel' is being staged in the grounds of Boconnoc complete with some exploding surprises!

The Tywardreath Players are no strangers to producing unforgettable productions.

The cast produced ‘Rebecca’ on the magnificent staircase at Trenython Manor in 2000; ‘Jamaica Inn’ actually at Jamaica Inn in 2001; and a memorable ‘Frenchman’s Creek’ in 2002 using a ship moored dockside at Pont Creek.

This year it's the beautiful Boconnoc near Lostwithiel which is the setting for 'My Cousin Rachel'.

The entrance to Boconnoc Estate

The play will be staged in a marquee on the lawn of Boconnoc, with plenty of drama promised both inside and out.

At a special press night on Tuesday 26 April, the invited audience were treated to a scene from 'My Cousin Rachel' by lead cast members Darren Seed and Penny Mergler.

"Rachel is a great character to play," says Penny. "You're never quite sure what's going on in her mind. I think she enjoys playing games."

"My character is very young and inexperienced," says Darren who plays Philip Ashley.

"I fall in love with Rachel completely."

The historical parish of Tywardreath , where the group is based, was Dame Daphne Du Maurier's own local village, and literally means, ‘The House on the Strand’.

Darren and Penny in the house at Boconnoc

Dame Daphne du Maurier’s son, Christian Browning is Patron of the Tywardreath Players.

In the programme for 'My Cousin Rachel' he praises the Players.

"It is with great pleasure that I welcome back the Tywardreath Players to the Du Maurier Festival. Last year just didn’t seem the same without you and I am sure all your fans and admirers from all over the county, and indeed the country, are looking forward to seeing your new production of ‘My Cousin Rachel’."

The Story

In the play the young Philip Ashley receives a disturbing letter from his Uncle Ambrose – who had recently married their distant cousin Rachel.

A dramatic scene from My Cousin Rachel

Philip immediately heads to Italy to discover Ambrose has died in what might be considered strange circumstances.

Returning to Barton, the family estate in Cornwall, Philip is surprised to discover Rachel in England. Initially Philip is not happy when Rachel arrives in Cornwall, but is quickly won over by her charms, and becomes besotted with her, despite her age!

As the story unfolds, the audience is never quite sure whether Rachel was responsible for Ambrose’s untimely death, or for Philip’s deteriorating health!