Rehearsals are underway for a summer-long theatre show at one of Cornwall's based theatre companies and it’s full of silliness for children and all the family.

This summer the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth and Cornish-based theatre performance company Illyria are partnering together to create a brand-new show, I Saw A Monster, which is free to see as part of the museum’s admission fee.

In a high-energy 20-minute performance, the show will explore local legends through genuine eye-witness accounts and monster sightings in Cornwall. In the show a scientist and a monster expert try to find common ground when it comes to sea monsters – do they really exist or are they just figments of imaginations? Whilst there are a lot of disagreements, one sea beast they do agree on has some very unexpected results.

For over 30 years Illyria has been touring theatres across Cornwall, the UK, and around the world, winning four international ‘Best Performance’ awards and attracting numerous five-star reviews. Work on the show has taken many months with sets, costumes, and puppets all being built and created here in Cornwall.

Oliver Grey, artistic director of Illyria, said: ‘Illyria tours the length and breadth of the country every year but there’s something very special about returning home to perform in Cornwall.

"It’s not very often that theatre companies are commissioned to create new work and this whole process has been incredibly exciting for us.

"When I was younger, I longed to create a show about monsters and my inner kid is enjoying himself immensely! We can’t wait to open the show at National Maritime Museum Cornwall ."

Stuart Slade, head of public programming at the museum, said: “Working with partners from within the local cultural sector on this scale is still relatively new for us but it’s an exciting formula that really works.

"It draws in our visitors and ensures that summer is always a blast at the museum. This new show helps children discover science and environmental issues in a completely fun and engaging way and whilst it is full of comedy and playfulness it has a powerful message for our visitors to take home.”

In addition to the daily shows, the museum based on Discovery Quay, Falmouth, is also running crafting workshops where families can create monster puppets as well as a museum trail to find all the hidden tentacles.

I Saw A Monster began on Monday and runs until Sunday, September 4 with shows every day at 11am, 12.15pm, 2pm and 3.15pm.