The Iguanodon Restaurant & Fossil Fest
When? 29 June 2025
Where? Nothe Fort - Weymouth
An outdoor family theatre performance by Emerald Ant!
It’s New Year’s Eve 1853, in Crystal Palace Park, and a group of leading professors and palaeontologists are holding a sumptuous banquet in an unusual venue; inside the concrete mould of an Iguanodon.
A highly visual, funny and peculiar, fast-moving historical romp of a show, The Iguanodon Restaurant is inspired by this extraordinary real life event, and it takes place inside a massive 35-foot beast.
Emerald Ant’s new show inspires audiences in their geological landscape, fossils and local history.
Based on events from 1812 to 1860, which saw a rapid growth in scientific discovery, this exciting family show travels at rollicking speed from Dorset to Sussex and Kent to witness momentous fossil discoveries, and finally to Crystal Palace where the iguanodon still stands.
Over an outrageously indulgent feast, the guests – famous dinosaur hunters and pioneering geologists William Buckland, Gideon Mantell, Mary Anning and Richard Owen – compete over their amazing fossil finds and wrangle over interpretations: Is it a bird? A giant fish? An ancient crocodile?
They debate questions around extinction and evolution that shook the Victorian world. How come dinosaurs no longer exist? What is the stone beneath our feet telling us about the world and our place in it?
There will also be dinosaur and fossil themed activities for families to enjoy over the weekend.
Show Timings:
Sunday 29th June
12:30pm
2:30pm
Please note, this is an outdoor drama performance, and no actual food will be consumed or offered to visitors as part of the show.
About Fossil Fest Weekend
Join us for a weekend of fossil-filled fun and dinosaur delights from Saturday 28th – Sunday 29th June. Supported by Activate Performing Arts and CREATE!2025.
Access
The performance will be supported by a British Sign Language interpreter.
About Emerald Ant
Creative Director of Emerald Ant, Sarah Butterworth says, “Emerald Ant is delighted to present the second of our outdoor dino theatre shows. This project is a true partnership of artists and scientists, and we thank everyone for creating such a treat, our partner The Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, and our supporters, for enabling this show to take place.”
The Iguanodon Restaurant is supported by Arts Council England and several science bodies.
This event is covered by your Annual Pass/General Admission ticket price.
Nothe Fort is dog-friendly, so bring the whole family!
More information:
Visit Event Website
Events Nearby
Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning (Film)
Bluey At The Cinema: Let's Play Chef
Fossil Fest at the Fort
The Iguanodon Restaurant & Fossil Fest
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