Comic history among new Dockyard attractions

The ducking of the wench has always been a well-loved tradition in St George’s both for locals and for tourists alike but why should the east end get all the fun?

Dockyard is soon going to have its own historical re-enactment that is unique to the west end — a short comical play, or ‘vignette’ that will teach visitors about the history of this British Naval outpost in a fun (and very loud) way.

The ten to fifteen minute skit, which will be played out on several mornings of the week over by the ferry terminal, is being created by scriptwriter and director Barbara Jones.

Jones is know for recently writing and directing the historical play Wrecked On The Rock which was performed at Fort St Catherine in 2009. She told the Bermuda Sun she currently is working on three of the characters — an old lady who had lived in Dockyard before it was built as a military outpost, a pompous sailor and a back talking wench.

Speaking to the Bermuda Sun she said: “The story will be told from the viewpoint of a Bermudian woman who grew up here as a child when it was just a wooded hillside and she used to go fishing and paddling.

“She is in her 70s and she’s irascible and deaf which means we have to shout at her — so at least  the tourists will be able to hear us.

“Then there will be a sailor — a Blue Jacket because, after all, this is about the Royal Navy. He will be a bit pompous and full of himself because he is Her Majesty’s Navy he’s not going to be an officer. The old lady will be yelling at him things like: ‘oi sonny boy, back in my day…’ and, ‘what’s the Navy ever done for us?’ That will give us an opportunity to slip in there what the Navy actually has done for us.

“There is also the third character who is the wench who is always annoying everybody and talking back to everyone.”

Unlike the St George’s wench, this one will not be ducked. All this action will culminate in the cannon being fired off at Commissioner’s House. Once it is all over the actors will tell the members of the audience where they can find all the things mentioned in the play and send them on their way.

The show will be performed on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays near the ferry terminal from May 15 to October 13. The re-enactments are to take place in the morning so as not to clash with the St George’s ducking.

The play is just one of a host of new attractions that were announced for Dockyard by Wedco this week. See what else is in store HERE.