Welcome!
Who Am I?
Glad you asked. I am an experienced actor, puppeteer and musician based in Penzance. I have a friendly and informal performance style, deft improvisational skills and a gently subversive sense of humour - which delights adults as well as children.
From 1999 - 2017 I was a member of Cornwall’s renowned Kneehigh Theatre, performing in major national and international tours such as Tristan & Yseult, Cymbeline, Don John, A Matter Of Life And Death and The Bacchae, as well as small-scale village hall shows, including directing and acting in Journey To The Centre Of The Earth.
Last word...
I am currently a member of The Minack Theatre Company, recently appearing in The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch, The Railway Children and The Secret Garden.
I also appeared in Alaska from Blackfish Theatre, One Darke Night from o-region theatre, the film Tin (dir. Bill Scott) and the short Cornish language films An Jowl Yn Agas Kegin (dir.Brett Harvey) and KoninHa Pryv (dir. Laura Hardman). I have also created and directed several theatre performances for The Eden Project, Cornwall.
I spent many years as a professional street performer, appearing at The Millennium Dome, Glastonbury Festival, Manchester Street Arts Festival, Leeds Streets Ahead, Cowes Week Isle of Wight and festivals in Holland, Belgium and the USA.
My aim with Squashbox Theatre is to create shows that are funny, friendly, surprising, inspiring, unusual, informative (and a little bit mischievous!), and which use traditional puppetry and storytelling skills in an exciting and innovative way. (And did I mention funny?)
All Squashbox performances celebrate nature, science, generosity, tolerance and diversity, employing a wholly secular view of this astounding and beautiful world around us.
Hello there!
Welcome to the ingenious, ridiculous, inspiring, surprising, comical, musical, educational, ecological world of Squashbox Theatre.
My name is Craig Johnson and I am a performer, musician and puppeteer living in Penzance, Cornwall.
As a solo artist I perform under the name Squashbox Theatre, creating marvellous, quirky and inventive shows incorporating puppetry, storytelling, natural history, live music and comedy.
I created Squashbox Theatre in 2007 with the aim of providing quality entertainment for children and families in Cornwall. Since then my shows (The Sea Show, Skillywidden, Stones And Bones, Curious Creatures, Tales from the Trees, Myths and Monsters, The Christmassy Christmas Show, Shivers and Shadows and Journey to the Stars) have been performed at schools, theatres, festivals and events from Cornwall to Kendal and from Exeter to Essex, including TEN sell-out summer seasons at the famous Minack Theatre near Land’s End.
Book now for your theatre, arts centre, school, festival, village hall or event!
“Johnson's natural rapport and good humoured fun with the young people make this an absolute celebration of all that is good about theatre for children.”
Petra Schofield, Whatsonstage.com
"Craig's success lies in the fact that he talks to, rather than at, his young audience while involving them in the action as far as he possibly can, and he does it all with a huge sense of joy and fun that is as inspiring as it is infectious. An engaging entertainer to be treasured."
Frank Ruhrmund, The Cornishman newspaper
"Craig Johnson is a consummate actor of rare skills. Totally at ease with his audience - adult and child alike - he combines an innate understanding and delight in storytelling with fantastic comic and musical skill."
Mike Shepherd, Founder and Company Director Kneehigh Theatre
"Just the right balance of humour, fun, wit and education. Keep up the excellent work, you are a true talent and the kids really appreciate you"
Audience feedback, Minack Theatre
News
Spring News 2026
New Show Alert!
“Secrets of the Hidden Realm”
Coming in May 2026
‘Secrets of the Hidden Realm’ delves into the strange, dark and beguiling world of Cornish folklore, using a blend of storytelling, comedy and ingenious puppetry. It combines a deep reverence for the history and mythology of Cornwall with absurd humour and a dash of Cosmic Horror. With influences including The X Files, Twin Peaks, H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos and The Magnus Archives, ‘Secrets of the Hidden Realm’ is a surreal flight of fancy into a liminal world of magic and mystery.
This is Squashbox Theatre’s first show for adults and older children! Recommended age: 10+
2026 Dates (so far!)
Sat 9th May - 2.30pm
Tales from the Trees
Princess Pavilion, Falmouth, Cornwall
https://www.seetickets.com/event/squashbox-tales-from-the-trees/princess-pavilion-garden/3610368
Sat 23rd May - 2.30pm
Curious Creatures
Princess Pavilion, Falmouth, Cornwall
https://www.seetickets.com/event/squashbox-curious-creatures/princess-pavilion-garden/3610369
Mon 25th May - 4pm
Myths and Monsters
Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Cornwall
https://minack.com/whats-on/myths-monsters/
Weds 27th May - 3pm
Myths and Monsters
Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Cornwall
https://minack.com/whats-on/myths-monsters/
Thurs 28th May - 7.30pm
SECRETS OF THE HIDDEN REALM
Acorn Theatre, Penzance, Cornwall
https://www.theacornpenzance.com/events/secrets-of-the-hidden-realm/
Sat 13th June - 2.30pm
Curious Creatures
Coronation Park, Helston, Cornwall
https://lovehelston.co.uk/event/squashbox-curious-creatures/
Sun 14th June - time tbc
Skillywidden
Caerhays Fete, Caerhays, Cornwall
https://visit.caerhays.co.uk/tag/summer-fete/
Fri 19th June - 7pm
SECRETS OF THE HIDDEN REALM
The Old Chapel, Helston, Cornwall
https://www.trevowhelston.co.uk/event-details/secrets-of-the-hidden-realm
Sat 20th June - time tbc
The Sea Show
Breage Festival, Breage, nr Helston, Cornwall
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579398086642
Sat 28th June - 2pm
Journey to the Stars
Sterts Arts & Environmental Centre, Liskeard, Cornwall
https://www.ticketsource.com/sterts/journey-to-the-stars-squashbox-theatre/e-ovryvr
Sun 12th July - 2pm
Myths and Monsters
Penlee Park Open Air Theatre, Penzance, Cornwall
https://www.penleeparktheatre.com/events/myths-and-monsters-120726/
Sun 19th July - 2pm
Wonderful World
Penlee Park Open Air Theatre, Penzance, Cornwall
https://www.penleeparktheatre.com/events/wonderful-world-190726/
Mon 20th July - 4pm
Journey to the Stars
Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Cornwall
https://minack.com/whats-on/journey-to-the-stars/
Weds 22nd July - 4pm
Journey to the Stars
Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Cornwall
https://minack.com/whats-on/journey-to-the-stars/
Sun 26th July - 2pm
Curious Creatures
Penlee Park Open Air Theatre, Penzance, Cornwall
https://www.penleeparktheatre.com/events/curious-creatures-260726/
Mon 27th July - 4pm
Journey to the Stars
Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Cornwall
https://minack.com/whats-on/journey-to-the-stars/
Tuesday 28th July - 2.30pm
Stones and Bones
Princess Pavilion, Falmouth, Cornwall
https://www.seetickets.com/event/squashbox-stones-and-bones/princess-pavilion-garden/3610367
Weds 29th July - 4pm
Journey to the Stars
Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Cornwall
https://minack.com/whats-on/journey-to-the-stars/
Sun 2nd Aug - 2pm
The Sea Show
Penlee Park Open Air Theatre, Penzance, Cornwall
https://www.penleeparktheatre.com/events/the-sea-show-020826/
Mon 3rd Aug - 4pm
Journey to the Stars
Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Cornwall
https://minack.com/whats-on/journey-to-the-stars/
Tues 4th Aug - 2.30pm
Stones and Bones
Coronation Park, Helston, Cornwall
https://lovehelston.co.uk/event/squashbox-stones-and-bones/
Weds 5th Aug - 4pm
Journey to the Stars
Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Cornwall
https://minack.com/whats-on/journey-to-the-stars/
Thurs 6th Aug - 2.30pm
Curious Creatures
The Poly, Falmouth, Cornwall
https://thepoly.org/whats-on/event/4376/curious-creatures
Fri 7th Aug - 11.30am
The Sea Show
Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwallhttps://www.trebahgarden.co.uk/event/squashbox-the-sea-show-2026/
Sun 9th Aug - 2pm
Skillywidden
Penlee Park Open Air Theatre, Penzance, Cornwallhttps://www.penleeparktheatre.com/events/skillywidden-090826/
Mon 10th Aug - 4pm
The Sea Show
Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Cornwall
https://minack.com/whats-on/the-sea-show/
Tues 11th Aug - 7.30pm
SECRETS OF THE HIDDEN REALM
Penlee Park Open Air Theatre, Penzance, Cornwallhttps://www.penleeparktheatre.com/events/secrets-of-the-hidden-realm-110826/
Weds 12th Aug - 4pm
The Sea Show
Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Cornwall
https://minack.com/whats-on/the-sea-show/
Thurs 13th Aug - 2.30pm
Tales from the Trees
The Poly, Falmouth, Cornwall
https://thepoly.org/whats-on/event/4378/tales-from-the-trees
Fri 14th Aug - 11.30am
Wonderful World
Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwallhttps://www.trebahgarden.co.uk/event/squashbox-wonderful-world-2026/
Sun 16th Aug - 2pm
Stones and Bones
Penlee Park Open Air Theatre, Penzance, Cornwallhttps://www.penleeparktheatre.com/events/stones-bones-160826/
Mon 17th Aug - 4pm
The Sea Show
Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Cornwall
https://minack.com/whats-on/the-sea-show/
Tuesday 18th Aug - 2pm
Myths and Monsters
Sterts Arts & Environmental Centre, Liskeard, Cornwall
https://www.ticketsource.com/sterts/myths-and-monsters-squashbox-theatre/e-embpra
Weds 19th Aug - 4pm
The Sea Show
Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Cornwall
https://minack.com/whats-on/the-sea-show/
Fri 21st Aug - 11.30am
Journey to the Stars
Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwallhttps://www.trebahgarden.co.uk/event/squashbox-journey-to-the-stars-2026/
Sat 22nd Aug - 2.30pm
Skillywidden
Coronation Park, Helston, Cornwall
https://discoverhelston.co.uk/
Sun 23rd Aug - 2pm
Tales from the Trees
Penlee Park Open Air Theatre, Penzance, Cornwall
https://www.penleeparktheatre.com/events/tales-from-the-trees-230826/
Mon 24th Aug - 4pm
The Sea Show
Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Cornwall
https://minack.com/whats-on/the-sea-show/
Weds 26th Aug - 4pm
The Sea Show
Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Cornwall
https://minack.com/whats-on/the-sea-show/
Fri 28th Aug - 11.30am
Tales from the Trees
Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwallhttps://www.trebahgarden.co.uk/event/squashbox-tales-from-the-trees-2026/
Sat 29th Aug - 7.30pm
SECRETS OF THE HIDDEN REALM
The Poly, Falmouth, Cornwall
https://thepoly.org/whats-on/event/4374/secrets-of-the-hidden-realm
Sun 30th Aug - 2pm
Journey to the Stars
Penlee Park Open Air Theatre, Penzance, Cornwallhttps://www.penleeparktheatre.com/events/journey-to-the-stars-300826/
Mon 31st Aug - 2.30pm
The Sea Show
Coronation Park, Helston, Cornwall
https://discoverhelston.co.uk/