It is the year 1817. At the Royal Pavilion the Prince Regent is preparing to review the Sussex militia. However, soldiers from the regular army are pouring scorn on these 'part-time locals'.
Will the recruiting officer convince the militiamen to join up to see the world? How will they tell the 'girl I left behind me'?
Come to the Royal Pavilion, join the costumed characters and see history come alive before your eyes.
You will meet:
The Prince Regent Full of plans for the continuing transition of his ‘little place by the sea’, the Prince is embracing the distraction away from the reports on his father’s health. Soldiering – with all the glorious uniforms and manoeuvres – might prove another way of passing the time fruitfully.
Sergeant George Alderton Recruiting officer with ‘The Sussex’ the 35th Regiment of Foot. Due to the unexplained absence of his senior officers, Sgt. Alderton also faces the honour (though privately the irritation) of the Prince Regent wanting him to tell every detail of Waterloo again and again.
Private John Coe a paid soldier, and most recently a convert to Methodism, his marriage to Mary happened was a shotgun affair. Methodism and his spell in the military have given him a new respect for the word ‘duty’. The problem is working out which duty takes precedence, at home being the present husband and father, or serving the country in whatever region he is sent to?
Mrs Mary Coe daughter of a local fisherman, she bitterly regrets her whirlwind courtship by John. With the threat of Napoleon gone, she sees no reason why her man should continue with his military contract. He is on half pay now after all. Surely John has paid any debt of loyalty to the army. Maybe he could be persuaded to go AWOL…?
William Lillywhite Billy to his friends, is born and bred in Brighthelmstone and has seen it change from the small fishing town into the pretentious haunt of the rich and titled. He is a young man and when his name was drawn from the lottery to become a member of the Sussex militia, he knew it was right and proper to do it.
Includes displays of Regency fencing by the Sussex Rapier School.
Admission fee payable - no booking necessary
Brighton & Hove Residents (with proof of residency, council tax or other utility bill) £4.40 plus up to four accompanying children free
Adult £8.80
Child (5-15yrs) £5.10
Family tickets also available, visit the admission charges page for details
For further information telephone 03000 290902 or email visitor.services@brighton-hove.gov.uk
