Special ‘Dockfest Discounts' at Hartlepool's Maritime Experience

Adults £3.75, Children £3.00

HMS Trincomalee

Peg Powler

PSS Wingfield Castle

Costumes

Hartlepool's Maritime Experience is the North East's premier maritime attraction. Step back in time and visit a superb recreation of an 18th Century seaport including HMS Trincomalee, the oldest warship afloat in the UK. The historic quayside, children's adventure centre, costumed guides, the Museum of Hartlepool, and so much more.

For full details visit www.hartlepoolsmaritimeexperience.com.

Free Entertainment on the Museum of Hartlepool Quayside and Hartlepool's Maritime Experience performance canopy

Following the theme of Dockfest, maritime monsters and magic, Hartlepool People's Theatre present humorous performances based on local myths and legends.

The Hartlepool Monkey Legend. Like it or not, Hartlepool is well known for this story. During the Napoleonic Wars a French ship was wrecked off the Hartlepool coast. Local fishermen found the only survivor, the ship's pet monkey dressed in a military style uniform.

The fishermen, never having seen a monkey before concluded it must be a French spy. The unfortunate creature was then hanged on the beach. Don't worry though, no-one is going to be harmed during these shows.

Peg Powler is a hag from English folklore with a green skin, long hair and sharp teeth who is said to inhabit the River Tees. She grabs the ankles of those who wander too close to the water's edge, especially naughty children, and pulls them under water and drowns them. Especially for Dockfest she has travelled from the River Tees to Jackson Dock, but don't worry, I'm sure your children are not going to be naughty.

The Witches of Hart – four horrid witches all fall in love with Tom the farmer's son. They set out to win Tom's heart by casting spells to try to make themselves more beautiful, hoping to entice Tom. Unfortunately things don't go according to plan and they discover this particular myth has a ‘furry' twist in its tale!

Elizabethan Laws – During the reign of Elizabeth I, many laws were passed to deal with the poor conditions of the penniless and hungry people in England. The People's Theatre looks at the lighter side of this somber subject.

Approximate performance times:
Saturday: Elizabethan Laws 1pm; Monkey Legend 2pm and 3.30pm
Sunday: Witches of Hart 1pm and 2.45; Peg Powler 2pm and 3.30pm

All short plays are written and adapted by People's Theatre's Creative Writer Claire Jewson

And there's even more to entertain you...

• Walkabout magician and balloon modeler
• Brilliant local illustrator Keith Robson will have pencil and paper at the ready to sketch you and your friends (small charge)
• Be amazed and entertained by the circus skills of talented performer Tom Rolfe
• Storyteller Tanya will be in the Captain's Cabin of HMS Trincomalee (‘Dockfest Discount' entry charge to Hartlepool's Maritime Experience applies)