WHITE HART RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
        "The 2007 Season as a 3-Act Play"



        PROLOGUE


        After a thrilling late Spring debut at The Castle in Muskogee, Ryleh's "intentional" family -- the "Ides of March" -- continued their triumphal 2007 tour by attending the entire three-weekend season of the White Hart Renaissance Festival, located near Springfield, Missouri. Unlike the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival, however, the "Ides of March" player lineup changed over the course of the White Hart season. Some were regulars, showing up for every weekend; while others could only put in a single, brief appearance. Either way, everyone in Ryleh's "family by choice" truly enjoyed White Hart -- AKA "The little faire that could."




        ACT 1, SCENE 1

        Eight of us descended on the White Hart Renaissance Festival for Opening Weekend 2007 (Photo, Above -- Front row: the Dread Pirate Ian, the Faerie Karusie (AKA Rhiannon), Jephael and Lady Alexiel the Elf (AKA Erica); Back row: Paula, the hyperthyroid Pixie, Dr. John Dee (AKA Aaron) and Ryleh the Wanderer. Not Shown: Mike, the cameraman.) For us, White Hart's small size had to be its' biggest advantage. Since the entire festival -- including fairegrounds, tournament field and parking lot -- covered just two acres at most, the "Ides of March" were able to catch every stage show, listen to all the musicians, play with the cast and still find each other easily in the festive crowd! Even better: White Hart is one of those rare renaissance festivals that does not feature a "Gate Show" before throwing opening their gates in the morning. So while faire patrons were admitted beginning at 10am, Queen Elizabeth and her entourage don't make their Grand Entrance 'til half past the hour (Photo, Below: the Queen cordially acknowledges the players and patrons who assembled to greet her on Opening Morn). That gave us an easy thirty minutes to do a quick turn around the grounds to see what was new and different at the festival this year, before paying our respects to Her Most Gracious Majesty.





        Perhaps the most noticeable change at White Hart 2007 had to be at the entry to faire. In the off-season, it seems, a series of merchant booths had been built at the Main Gate, creating a short lane or "Merchants' Close" by the entrance. Which means patrons now have to zigzag past a tempting array of colorful merchandise before reaching the fairegrounds, proper! There they found that the site itself had been enlarged with a new expansion into the woods, making room for the baker (Photo, Right: tending the outdoor oven at the bakery), Living History area, Gypsy Camp, suttlers' tents and Tinkers' Stage, among other things. In addition to the physical changes at White Hart, there were also many new faces among the entertainers. E. Jon Pirate, Matthew the Magician, Doctor Dumpe, Lady Nancy, Ian Briggs the piper, Ezra and Dilly, Sparrow the Mime, Thistle Green, the Black Gryphon Equestrian Troupe and others joined old hands like Geoffrey the Piper and Brother Donald at White Hart in 2007. Most impressively, Cedric the Bard -- who is certainly not a newcomer to the renaissance festival scene by any means -- put in a much-appreciated appearance this season. Needless to say, with such a varied schedule of mirth and music being offered, all the "Ides of March" anticipated a truly wond'rous day at faire...
        nor were they about to be disappointed, instrooth!






        NEXT PAGE...




        Standard Disclaimer: This webpage is strictly an *Unofficial* look at the White Hart Renaissance Festival held on Prankster's Ranch near Hartville, Missouri. The author of these pages is in no way, shape, manner or form connected with the White Hart Renaissance Festival (mailing address: 5651 Hwy. F, Hartville, MO 65667; Phone (417) 741-9518; home page http://www.historic-arts.com/white_hart_renaissance_faire/) and/or any of the sponsors associated with this event. All opinions expressed are strictly this author's own. All photographs are copyright ©2000-2008 by George Laking, Paula Duggan and Mike Duggan.

        This page created 21 February 2008