A Very English Christmas! The Christmas Revels 40th Anniversary Holiday Extravaganza
Dec 02, 2014 10:45AM ● By Victoria Pipas
The tale of the Christmas Revels is a new one every year, artfully spun by its performers and musicians. A cast of local actors and actresses presents song and dance in the tradition of the country heritage chosen for that year. They are accompanied by an eclectic mix of talented musicians who call themselves The Dead Waites. Traditionally, town waites, or bands of musicians, performed in hamlets throughout the English countryside, thus lending their name to this group of talented minstrels. Choruses of children, teens, and adults round out the musicality, as do your voices (audience participation is encouraged).
The title of the 2014 Revels is “The Mysteries of Haddon Hall.” This year, the revelers will trace the story of an English duke living in his recently inherited manor. Throughout the long winter’s night, ancestors reaching back 800 years will dance across the stage and share with him their histories on the estate. Will their collective heritage be enough to spare the manor from being sold by the new duke? Only the end of the night will reveal the answer!
The evening will be filled with classical English carols, dances, and traditions. You and your family are invited to join in the singing as well—the more the merrier! If you have been participating in Christmas Revels at the Hopkins Center for years, you will recognize “Dona Nobis Pacem,” “Lord of the Dance,” and other musical traditions of the Revels.
There will be six performances of The Christmas Revels from Thursday December 18th through Sunday the 21st, including both evening and matinée performances. Prices range from $8 to $38. So finish up your figgy pudding, and purchase your tickets for the Christmas Revels here.
What was your favorite theme of past Christmas Revels? Share below.
Like what you're reading? Subscribe to Image's free newsletter to catch every headline
