Home > Dance, Music and Masquing at the Court of Elizabeth 1
Dance, Music and Masquing at the Court of Elizabeth 1
A friendly house-party weekend at Halsway Manor, a small historic house in beautiful west Somerset. We shall create a masque based on Diana and Actaeon, presented at Elizabeth I's court, and perform it for our own enjoyment. Tutors are international lutenist Sam Brown (music), Dr Anne Daye (advanced dance) and Ann Hinchliffe (beginners and improvers).
Classes in dance and music, leading to masque rehearsals, run on Saturday morning and afternoon, and Sunday morning. We'll learn 16th-century dances such as almaynes, coranto, canaries, the Spagnioletta, the Nyne Muses and a balletto. Sam will lead a consort of instruments -- any portable acoustic instrument, pitch 440 -- and there will also be parts for singers and speakers. On the Friday and Saturday evenings there'll be social dancing of the sort Queen Elizabeth would have enjoyed, with a lecture on the background of court intrigue. Bring a contribution if you like -- poetry, song etc -- and wear (optional) ruffs, farthingales or other party gear!
Once you've booked, we'll send more information including music for instrumentalists and singers, and what to bring. Please tell us what level you play at, what dancing (any style) you've done, and any other theatrical experience.
Accommodation
All bedrooms in Mews building are modern, either en-suite or with private bathroom. Bedrooms in the old Manor have lovely period character but few en-suite facilities, so guests must walk along the corridor for toilets and showers. We have three cooked meals a day, and teas etc in between. Food is tasty, plain and plentiful, and all diets can be catered for. More information on Halsway website: https://halswaymanor.org.uk/
Tickets are priced according to room (en suite or not), whether you're a member of the Historical Dance Society or not, and whether you've booked an 'Early Bird' (EB) ticket before 23 November. For camping, 'glamping pods' and non-resident or non-dancing attenders, please enquire about prices. Do ask us any questions that will make your stay more comfortable.