January 29, 2018 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The following was released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center:

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is pleased to present a performance of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by the WatermelonAlligator Theatre Company on Thursday, February 15th at 7:00 p.m. Rime is the story of the misfortune the ancient mariner experiences on his last voyage when he does something terrible for unknown reasons and for which others pay the price.

First published in 1798, Rime was included in the book, Lyrical Ballads, a collection which launched the movement known as British Romanticism. In the poem, Taylor Coleridge explores the ideas of sin, suffering, and salvation.  The popular phrases “albatross around the neck” and “water, water everywhere/nor any drop to drink” originate from this poem.

WatermelonAlligator’s cast for this production includes Jess Wilson of Onset, Korey Pimental of New Bedford, Veronique Sylvia of Fairhaven, Sue Salvesen of Marion and Tony Ferreira of Swansea.  The WatermelonAlligator Theatre Company is a consortium of theatre professionals and dedicated amateurs who are committed to producing quality theatre in a local setting. They also provide theatrical education and training to interested individuals at all levels of experience and ability, with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion in their educational and performance opportunities.

The performance will be accompanied by a slideshow of Gustav Doré’s etchings photographed from an original 1876 edition of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner donated to the Center by Virginia Vatelle. The original volume will be housed in the New Bedford Free Public Library’s archive.

Admission is $8/members and $10/non members. Doors open at 6:30.  Free parking is available in the Center lot.  This program is funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Dartmouth Local Cultural Council, the Mattapoisett Local Cultural Council, the New Bedford Cultural Council, Fairhaven Local Cultural Council, and the New Bedford Free Public Library.

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the commercial fishing industry past, present, and future through archives, exhibits, and programs.