What would 18th century St. George's be without drunken sailors and ladies of ill repute?

The Bermuda National Trust has tried to provide a little something for everyone with this year's Somers Evening to be held tonight in the Town of St. George from 6 to 10 p.m.

"It's a family night," said Laura Lyons of the Bermuda National Trust. "It is something to do in St. George's. The town really comes alive. It happens twice a year, the Somers Evening, and the Christmas Eve Walkabout."

The evening will including many people in costume in character, representing all walks of life in St. George's of old — including the shadier characters for comic relief.

"We have included some ladies of the night and two drunken rogue sailors who will be wandering about the town," said Miss Lyons. "They will be stationed outside the Globe.

"During that time, a lot of Bermudians came down to St. George's to take part in the economic gain, but there were also timespans for two weeks between runs.

"You would have crews of sailors with gold in their pockets and two weeks to entertain themselves. They created havoc in St. George's. They ran amok. There were dozens of drinking establishments that were legitimate. It would have been an interesting, tumultuous time for the town."

Herbie Siggins and David Hillier are playing the sailors. Royal Gazette reporter Tauria Raynor and Kristin Scott will be playing the loose ladies.

"It will be family appropriate," Miss Lyons assured the public.

There will also be more historically relevant characters from Bermuda's history including Joseph H. Rainey, the first black man elected in the US House of Representatives.

"Mr. Rainey will be doing mock shaves," said Miss Lyons. "Mr. Rainey will be pulling kids out and talking about what is going on with the American Civil War.

"His wife Susan was a seamstress so the young lady will be sewing and measuring people, and chatting with visitors as they come in."

Miss Lyons said she herself will get into costume tonight.

"I am wearing a costume by Barbara Jones, but most of them were made by Liz Campbell," she said. "They are hot. There are several layers to them. You really get a sense of what women went through in the heat. You have your shift, your heavy skirt, your bodice and a corset. You always had to have your head covered, but I am abandoning that on Friday."

The characters will chit chat with visitors in an improv style but a lot of research has gone into the characters before hand.

"We have been brainstorming about different scenarios and different questions that could be asked," said Miss Lyons. "It is not scripted so it is not something we can practice."

This year's Somers Evening will include a visit from the Nickel Shakespeare girls of the United States.

"They will do anything from any work of Shakespeare," said Miss Lyons. "They will be roaming around."

From 6 to 8 p.m. there will be children's games. Isabella Brackstone of the Bermuda Perfumery will be running an old fashioned school house with lessons about flowers and scents.

For those who miss the Somers Evening re-enactments, they will be happening periodically throughout the summer in some of St. George's historic buildings.

The vignettes will happen every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10.45 a.m. at Tucker House Museum and 11.45 a.m. at the Globe from July 8 to October 2.

"These characters are performed by all local talent," said Miss Lyons. "They interact with our visitors and answer questions.

"It brings a real picturesque element to the Old Town. You already have the surrounds of the architecture, but to have people in costume really adds to things.

"It is quite a fun atmosphere. It is just a general admission to the museum."

At Tucker House they will be focusing on the 1860s and the American Civil War.

"Later on in the summer we will develop some more story lines," said Miss Lyons. "We will be talking about the Tuckers and the gun powder plot.

"Barbara Jones is my lead. She is playing Althea Dickinson at Tucker House. She knows all the history behind it. She will also have a young Bermudian, who will be helping her taking on various roles. He is 16."

The summer re-enactments will last about 15 minutes so they won't be too taxing for the non history buffs.

"It is really meant to be entertaining," said Miss Lyons. "It brings a whole other element to visiting the town."

The Somers Evening will be free. There will be parking at Tiger Bay. They were will also be a ferry service from Hamilton to St. George's. It will go on until 10 p.m.