An award-winning one-man play based on the life of Horatio Nelson is to visit Neston, home of the admiral’s great love.
Nelson - The Sailor’s Story, written and performed by Nicholas Collett, will be on stage at Neston Town Hall on Friday April 29 at 7.30pm closing the curtain on the Neston Georgian Festival.
For 200 years Vice Admiral the Rt Hon Viscount Nelson has stood patiently on his column in Trafalgar Square watching the world and its many changes. But what happened to the ‘tars’ who served with him? Through their eyes the play reveals what it was really like at Trafalgar and in Nelson’s own words.
Nicholas Collett portrays 16 characters in this thrilling excursion into Royal Navy life in 1805, the minute-by-minute danger, excitement, tragedy and laughter.
There will be the chance to sample traditional Georgian food during the interval, accompanied by a short talk on Georgian naval rations compared to what would have been eaten at home, all included in the ticket price.
RELATED STORY: Neston's historic Lady's Day to return home - almost
Nicholas Collett said: "I’m really pleased to bring the show to Neston with the strong connection to Lady Hamilton. I’m sure it’ll put a smile on Horatio’s face and hopefully on the audience’s too!
“It should be an interesting and varied evening’s entertainment with the Georgian food demonstration. Horatio will be hoping for some suet pudding.”
Tickets for the show, which is suitable for ages 10 and above, can be booked directly from the venue by calling 0151 353 1928.
Nelson - The Sailor’s Story forms part of Cheshire Rural Touring Arts spring season of touring, taking professional arts events to rural venues and libraries across the county.
RELATED STORY:Neston youth theatre takes part in nationwide festival
Christened in Neston Parish Church, Emma, later Lady Hamilton, was born into extreme poverty in Ness, the daughter of a blacksmith. At an early age, about 13, she travelled to London with her mother where she took on menial work in theatrical venues such as Drury Lane.
Her beauty and natural health brought her to the attention of several aristocrats and later she formed a famous menage-a-trois with Nelson. They were feted throughout Europe but her behaviour was considered scandalous by London society.
Following Nelson’s death at Trafalgar in 1805 she became ostracised and fell heavily into debt. An anvil, reflecting her father’s occupation as a blacksmith, is installed at the entrance to Mealor’s Courtyard in Ness. The Lady Hamilton public house in Little Neston also commemorates Emma.
