Renaissance Stage Plays

Some things all renaissance faires have in common are the Shakespearean type plays performed daily on most faire grounds. Although the plays origin was religious/political in nature (History of the Play), they quickly evolved into either the news media of the era, presenting fictionalized tales of royal flops and mishaps to the entertainment starved masses, or elaborate stage spectacles where the nobles could display their wealth. Today most Faire plays celebrate the lower echelons sociopolitical comedy of the period.

Commedia Dell" Arte

The commedia dell'arte was the traveling street theater of the common people during the Renaissance. It was a hodgepodge of actors and improvised plays put together by the common people, reflecting the mores and social events of the time.

Today’s dell'arte company consists of 10 or 12 strolling players. Each actor is assigned am established character--the Doctor, the Captain, the rich Merchant, or one of the others. The character comes with a standard costume and established peculiarities. The Doctor, for example, always dresses in black and talks in a high-sounding manner. The troupe has no set plays. They have only historical scenarios or synopses of the action. The players depend on making up speeches as they go along, and on stock comic situations which they slip into easily.

Minstrels, Mimes and Jesters

In addition to the structured plays and improvisational theater you will find at Faire, there are hordes of independent street entertainers who "Busk" (perform for volunteer compensation) for their daily meal. Busking, or performing where passersby may stop is an old tradition, dating back to booth theaters erected at fairs in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance where it served as a tool by which talented individuals could upgrade their social position. Minstrels historically came in different flavors. Some were part entertainer-part historian/news vender, who used musical accompaniment and melodic lyrics to reiterate glorious historical victories and relay important events of the period. Others were simply accomplished musicians whose talents with the mandolin, harp, lute, hammer dulcimer was their bread and butter. (Jugglers, mimes, Jesters and Magicians research pending)

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