The life and times of the most famous ship to have left Ramsey shipyard, the Star of India, are to be re-enacted in a presentation by Cloideryn Productions at the town’s Freemasons Hall on August 9th and 10th.
The staging chronicles the history of the ship from its launch in 1863 as the Euterpe to the present day and is in aid of the Ramsey branch of the Royal Naval Association and the Star of India restoration fund.
The re-enactment is in two stages. The first covers the launch, journeys and adventures of the Euterpe, the second the vessel’s acquisition by the Star Line, its re-naming as Star of India and subsequent sailings to Alaska and its presentation to the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
The cast includes Francesco Ruffino who plays a shipyard worker, crew member, Greek goddess and emigrant; Geoff Nash, drunken Manx bishop, captain and modern-day tourist; John Donnelly, shipyard worker, ship’s crew member, Greek goddess, blood-soaked doctor and emigrant; Nathan Rea, ship’s crew member, Greek goddess and suicidal emigrant; and Jade Leach, rivet-boy, ship’s lad and ghost who will also provide a musical interlude, playing Dixie on the hornpipe. Narrator is Alan Gelling and choreographer Paul Bradford.
Entertainment between scenes will be provided by Clioagarree Twoaie, Ny Fennee and the ‘Dancing Greek Goddesses’. The show will conclude with the cast performing a song written especially for the occasion, The Lady of the Sea.
The re-enactment will be staged at the Freemasons Hall in Lezayre Road, Ramsey on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th August starting at 8pm. Tickets are ?6 including refreshments and are available from Ramsey Town Hall library or by telephoning 437904. Tickets will also be on sale at the door.
Photo - Ramsey Town Commissioners’ chairman Captain Nigel Malpass lends authenticity and support to the re-enactment with, left to right, Edna Clarke, in charge of costumes; cast members Francesco Ruffino, Geoff Nash and John Donnelly; and Heather Ruffino, director/writer. Picture Andrew Barton.
