oakenguy

By Diane Nolan
Correspondent

SALEM — Join infamous pirates and buccaneers like Blackbeard, Anne Bonney, Ned Low and "Calico" Jack Rackham for an adventure that won't soon be forgotten.

Pastimes Interactive Theatre will host the Salem Pirate Faire this weekend at Winter Island Park.

The main event during the festival is an ongoing play that will be acted out by 35 members of Pastimes in the fort throughout each day.

Pastimes' Creative Director David Stickney said that Ned Low, the play's main character, was considered one of the most brutal pirates in history, forcing one man to eat his own lips. He came from England and raided many homes in Marblehead after moving to the North Shore.

The play will portray the meeting between pirates who will join together to try to find a map of the Navy's ship routes while getting revenge for the hanging of fellow pirate, William Fly. Little do the pirates and buccaneers know however, that John Coffin, a British naval officer, is disguised amongst them.

According to Stickney, the difference between a buccaneer and a pirate comes from the time period they were in. Buccaneers were the early pirates, French and Spanish hunters in the Caribbean who used to capture and cook pigs in the mid 1600s. Pirate is a more general term for sea robbers. This weekend's show will be set in 1718.

Stickney said that this fair allows him to combine his love for history, pirates and theater.

"It's fun to do something for work that you love," said Stickney.

Stickney researches the history of pirates and said that he tries to tell a story as close to factually accurate as possible while keeping room for theatrical improvisation.

Cliff Allen will play the 17th century French pirate Francois l'Ollonais who was infamous for praying on Spanish ships.

"It's a combination of scripted work and having to think on your feet," said Allen, who added that there is also a lot of audience participation throughout the festival.

Visitors will get the chance to help pirates search for buried treasure, participate in a pirate costume contest, help pirates escape during a dungeon show and learn about some of the real-life pirates who made their living on the waters around Salem and Massachusetts Bay.

Allen is also one of the fight scene choreographers and said that in addition to swords and fists, an oar will be added to the list of weapons used in this weekend's show.

"We use weapons made specifically for stage combat," said Allen.

In addition to the play, the interactive festival will include pirate pub sing-alongs, fire-eaters, comedy, juggling, storytelling, period games, dance and food.

Margarita Chianti, also known as co-producer Dina Kane, will be dancing and performing in the pub sings during the weekend.

"I am the group's official gypsy dancer," said Kane, who added that she will be doing various styles of dance in two shows including belly, sword balancing and flamenco. In addition, she will be playing percussion for the three pub sings that will be held each day.

Kane said that Pastimes was drawn to Salem for the fair because of its beautiful waterfront and rich maritime history.

"We are so excited about the show," said Kane.

Kane added that Sunday is also International Talk Like a Pirate Day, which began on Sept. 19, 1995. This is one of the reasons she thought this weekend would be perfect for the Pirate Faire.

"People find the idea of a pirate exciting. They are faithful only to their ship and they live a free-wielding, adventurous existence," said Stickney. "They lived short, brutal lives, but they lived them to the fullest."

Stickney said that he believes the pirate's attire also attracts people.

The Pastimes crew members will be in costumes ranging from gentlemen pirates in full skirted coats to the more traditional, frugally dressed pirate wear.

There will also be a number of merchants offering period goods such as costumes, wooden swords, pirate hats, pottery, games and feastware at the fair.

Food will feature period cuisine as well as more traditional festival food including sausages and hamburgers.

Pastimes Interactive Theatre also performs a King Arthur Festival and a Robin Hood Faire each year at Hammond Castle.

Parking is available for $5 at Winter Park and free parking is available down the road at Salem Willows. The Salem trolley and the Moby Duck tours can also take visitors to the park.

IF YOU GO

What: The Salem Pirate Faire

Where: Salem's Winter Island Park, 50 Winter Island Rd.

When: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How: $10 for adults, $5 for children; for details, check out www.salempiratefaire.com or call (781) 853-0583