Northern School of Art performers to bring HMS Trincomalee to life for Halloween at Hartlepool Historic Quay

Royal Navy Museums: Hartlepool is working with Northern School of Art to bring a new theatrical experience to HMS Trincomalee this Halloween, with students from the arts department taking part in Spooquay: Ghost Ship on 30th and 31st October 2026.

The partnership will see performers from Northern School of Art guide visitors through the quayside at Royal Navy Museums: Hartlepool and aboard Britain's oldest floating warship, using theatrical storytelling and performance to explore stories connected to the ship and its history. 

“We’re delighted to be working with Northern School of Art to bring HMS Trincomalee to life in a completely different way this Halloween,” said Simon Walsh, Museum Manager of Royal Navy Museums: Hartlepool. “It’s a great opportunity to combine the history of the ship with the creativity of the next generation of performers.” 

Joe Stanley, the Creative Lead from Northern School of Art says: "Working on Spooquay has been amazing! Full of fun, energy and collaboration across the board. A truly special project to work on. I’ve left so lucky to work with the museum, as well as the Northern School of Art, to bring this ambitious vision to life for everyone to see. It's a privilege and an honour to help give back to the community in a fun and exciting way."

Spooquay: Ghost Ship will take place after hours at Royal Navy Museums: Hartlepool, with visitors guided through the site before boarding HMS Trincomalee. The experience will feature theatrical performances, stories from the ship's past and encounters with characters connected to the Ghost Ship theme. 

The event forms part of Royal Navy Museums' wider Halloween programme at the historic quayside in Hartlepool. Visitors will also be able to explore selected museum galleries after dark and access seasonal food and drink from the café. 

Earlier departures will be more suitable for families, while later departures will feature darker themes and jump scares. 

The collaboration with Northern School of Art provides students with the opportunity to develop and apply their performance skills in a live heritage setting, working with an established museum and performing for a public audience. 

By attending events at Royal Navy Museums, visitors also help support the conservation and preservation of Britain's naval heritage. Revenue from events such as Spooquay: Ghost Ship contributes towards the ongoing care of the UK's historic naval collections and vessels. 

For more information about Spooquay: Ghost Ship and other events taking place at Royal Navy Museums: Hartlepool, visit royalnavymuseums.org.uk/whats-on.