Manx ship musical returns in memory of co-creator

The show was first performed in Ramsey in 2022

A musical about a 19th Century ship built on the Isle of Man is set to be staged again in memory of its "wonderful" co-creator, a theatre troupe has confirmed.

Cloideryn, also known as the Northern Theatre Group, will stage four special performances in honour of its musical director Marilyn Cannell, who died in December aged 76.

The show charts the Manx origins of the the Star of India, which was built at Ramsey Shipyard in 1863, and its use at sea over the following decades.

Fellow creator Heather Ruffino said it had been "tough" for the cast to revisit the show, which was first performed in 2022, as they "miss her terribly".

But she said both old and new performers in the group, including an accompanist who has taken over Ms Cannell's role, were "determined to do her proud".

A retired teacher, Methodist preacher and Manx Music Festival stalwart, Ms Cannell was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2011 for her services to music.

Marilyn Cannell wrote the music for the production celebrating the vessel

Built in Ramsey, the ship made journeys to India and New Zealand following its launch, circumnavigating the world 21 times.

Originally named the Euterpe, the 205ft (62m) long cargo vessel is now on display at the San Diego Maritime Museum in California after extensive renovations following World War Two.

The vessel is now on display at the Maritime Museum of San Diego in California

Fourteen members of the theatre group performed songs from the musical on the vessel as part of celebrations to mark its 160th anniversary in November.

The trip came after a team of 15 people from the San Diego museum travelled to Ramsey to see the show when it was first performed.

Members from the troupe performed on board the Star of India in 2023

Ms Ruffino said the upcoming performances, which would raise money to be donated to cancer charities in Ms Cannell's name, were "going to be very special".

She said she was "heartbroken" to have lost her "wonderful musical partner" but the shows were set to be a "fitting tribute".

The performances are set to take place at St Paul’s Hall in Ramsey on 23 and 24 February, and 1 and 2 March from 19:30 GMT.