Myths and legends take centre stage for Whitby Abbey
Saturday 25 to Bank Holiday Monday 27 August 2012
Whitby Abbey’s season exploring myths and legends will come to a stunning climax over the August bank holiday weekend, when the site will be invaded by historic heroes and villains from fact and fiction in three spectacular days of legendary family fun!
Highlights of the weekend will include a pageant for St George, England’s very own knight in shining armour, who will parade around the site on horseback in a traditional medieval celebration, whilst a young member of the audience will be invited to don Lincoln green (but thankfully no tights!) to become Robin Hood, in a lively and fun performance in which the audience contributes the stars!
“Throughout the summer holidays, our Time Travellers have been exploring all kinds of different myths and legends, from St George through to Robin Hood, and over the bank holiday weekend, many of those stories will come to life with re-enactors and costumed interpreters taking on the roles in live-action shows and performances,” explains English Heritage’s events manager, Jon Hogan. “Alongside the heroes, though, we’ll also have some villains, with a small group of smugglers and highwaymen hiding somewhere on the site – so visitors will have to watch their step if they want to avoid the cry of ‘stand and deliver’!”
The weekend will also see the final performance of Whitby Abbey’s Dracula promenade performances. Thrilling audiences throughout the summer with a specially abridged version of the classic Bram Stoker novel, a cast of four actors will perform the last shows of the season within the ruins that are said to have inspired Stoker to create the legendary vampire! The performances are suitable for children aged 8 and over, and take place at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm each day.
For younger children, the English Heritage’s Time Travellers will have set up camp in Whitby Abbey’s Big Top tent, with fun activities, from drawing and colouring to dressing up and sword workshops.
The Myths and Legends Weekend runs each day from 11.00am to 5.00pm, with Whitby Abbey itself open daily from 10.00am to 6.00pm. Admission prices are £7.00 for adults, £6.00 for concessions and £4.00 for children. English Heritage members get in free. A £1.00 additional fee will be charged per child (member and non-member) to cover Time Traveller activities.
The story of Dracula will be picked up once again in the autumn to mark the centenary year of Bram Stoker’s death, when English Heritage will host Dracula at Night, dusk and twilight performances of the story to extend any Halloween festivities!
For more information, please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/whitby or contact Whitby Abbey on 01947 603568.
ENDS
Photographs show: St George on his horse at Whitby Abbey, and the cast of the promenade performance of Dracula.
For further media information, please contact:
Jay Commins – PRO English Heritage (Yorkshire)
Tel: 0113 251 5698
Mob: 07810 546567
Email: jay@fim.org.uk
