This January will see Guelph hosting the “Masque by Moonlight” event, inspired by a Renaissance tradition.
The event will be a mixture of a party and live theatre. There will be a dinner buffet and music, with space for dancing and socializing. The performance takes the form of an interactive play, inspired by Greek mythology and the style of the Venetian Renaissance. Masque plays such as this were a popular form of entertainment among nobility in the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, with playwrights such as Ben Jonson working in the unusual theatrical medium. The play’s ending can change depending on audience interactions, but it will always end in a festive ball.
Masque by Moonlight will allow for multiple levels of audience interaction with the performers. This can include everything from wearing a basic costume and masquerade mask to performing a song, dance or “display of martial prowess” for the play’s characters. There will also be a contest for the best mask of the night. Participants are required to pre-register. Events such as this that recapture old traditions, such as Renaissance fairs and recreations, use both modern and time-tested means to find an audience, ranging from banner printing to social media marketing.
The Masque by Moonlight event is set for the evening of January 21, 2023, at the Guelph Curling Club.
