ARTS company Emerald Ant has teamed up with Watchet Market House Museum to present ‘The Iguanodon Restaurant’, a quirky piece of free street theatre being staged on The Esplanade, on Sunday, August 31.

A furious romp through 50 years of ground-breaking scientific discoveries that changed how we see the world, ‘Iggy’ the iguanodon provides family fun for dino lovers of all ages.

It is inspired by a 35-foot Victorian iguanodon at Crystal Palace Park in 1853, where the geological exhibit was showcased in a pioneering attempt to educate the public about the evolution over time of the Earth.

The ‘dino day’ is one of 11 across Dorset and Somerset this summer forming part of Emerald Ant’s ‘Iggy for All’ project, supported by the Arts Council, Dorset Council, the Valentine Trust, and other foundations.

Iggy’s performances will be accompanied by a drop-in workshop for anybody aged from four years to learn more about fossils, dinosaurs, and their local museum.

The story focuses on famous fossil discoveries and the birth of geology, inspiring audiences in their geological landscape, and local and national history, and drawing attention to the importance of fossils and how they transcended from curious charms to the embodiment of prehistoric life.

As the story unfolds, eccentric characters emerge from history and compete for fame, laying claim to the biggest and oldest dinosaur bones.

Famous palaeontologists William Buckland, Gideon Mantell, Mary Anning, and Richard Owen debate questions around extinction and evolution that shook the Victorian world.

They raise shocking new questions: How come these creatures no longer exist? And, what does this tell us about the world we live in?

An Emerald Ant spokesperson said: “Roll your sleeves up and get creative, maybe create a badge to take home, and join in with the activities on offer.”

Full details can be found on the Emerald Ant website.