Benjamin Luxon

Performer

Ben first worked with Miracle in 1999 and is returning back to Cornwall to play East in Tin.

The Cornwall I grew up in between 1937 and 1955 was idyllic. Few cars or ‘mod-cons’ but with a strong sense of community, its history and singing. I left home for the first time in 1955. First came two years of National Service, then Training College in London and then I ‘wandered’ into singing which I had not realised one could follow as a profession and in so doing became the first Cornishman to make an international career as a singer. Over a 30 year career I was fortunate to have sung with most of the world’s major symphony orchestras, many of the leading opera houses, and recorded well over 100 commercial discs. Since losing much of my hearing in 1990 I have taught, directed opera, and now with the miraculous aid of a cochlear implant have been able to take to the stage again as an actor. The story of “Tin” coming out of our mining past is very rich, and Bill Scott in his inspired stage adaptation of the book has also added a strong singing element to the tale – what could be better! This will be my first stage performance in Cornwall for 20 years and how appropriate that it will also mark my 75th Birthday.