NEW The Opening Gate Show - Welcome to Deptford

The newly elected Lord Mayor and village leaders of Port Deptford will greet our guests in joyous celebration as they prepare for the arrival of our beautiful and brilliant young Queen of England, Elizabeth.  Come and Revel with us as we open the city’s Marketplace Faire!

NEW THE MAYOR’S SHOW

At 11:30 on the Maybower Stage, our boisterous newly elected Lord Mayor and his gleeful Wife, will be delighted to share with you the preparations they’ve made for the Queen’s arrival.  Enjoy wondrous presentations of music and dance.  Will the evil Sheriff Blount, blunt our fun or will the Queen’s arrival signal the start of the celebration?

NEW THE QUEEN’S SHOW

The stroke of Noon, brings forth the Queen’s arrival to the city of Deptford.  After receiving the civic leaders, the Queen reluctantly  agrees to a verbal sparring match with the Duke of Norfolk.  If the match is won by the Queen, will his grace keep his word or will his fiery temper prompt him to a dangerous outburst?  How will it fadge?  Join us at the Maybower Stage and witness the next installment in the Tudor series. 

NEW The Final Huzzah!

Join us as we take our bows and sing our village to sleep. Daily 7pm at our City Gates.

Sing "Let Union Be" with us! Click Here to download the mp3.

NEW Wolgemut

Wolgemut (vol-guh-moot): an ancient germanic word which simply means, "to be in a good mood". Wolgemut is also the name of a very unique minstrel’s troupe which believes that the goal of every performance is to leave the audience in a good mood!  The name says it all!  Wolgemut uses some traditional material from various European countries such as folk songs and dances from Sweden, France, Germany as well as from the Balkan countries.  Fun, humor and endless amounts of energy are the essentials of a Wolgemut performance. Music, dance and comedy fused with a generous amount of “wolgemutness” turns every Wolgemut show into a high powered event; a Renaissance Rock concert! 

NEW Gypsy Geoff – Fire Circus Show

A showman who is devoted to expanding upon the wonderment of children, Gypsy Geoff: juggler, physical comedian, and variety entertainer is both mesmerizing and enchanting. Come witness and be part of the master of mayhem and manipulation. -The flurry of fire that is Gypsy Geoff – Fire Circus Show!  Visit Gypsy Geoff's Website

NEW Patrice Ruane

Patrice Ruane plays traditional Celtic music on the spinet, an authentic Renaissance keyboard instrument.  Enjoy the dulcet underscoring as you stroll the village lanes. 

NEW Clan Tynker (April 6/7 & 13/14)
An enchanting kaleidoscope of skills from around the world performed to live music. An impressive variety of juggling skills, stage magic, comedy, Central Asian/Middle Eastern dance, sword swallowing, fire-eating and tight-wire walking with an accompanying musical soundscape played on an eclectic variety of instruments including concertina, accordion, harmonium, dumbek, Balkan tupon, as well as various horns, bells and whistles. Fun for the whole family!

NEW Hey Nunnie Nunnie! (April 13/14 & 20/21)

Peals of laughter ring like convent bells as the unconventional Mother Redemption and mischievous ukulele wielding Sister Philomena Claire take the stage in a dazzling display of improvisational and comedic escapades. Cracking jokes, singing songs, and “counseling” audience members, these two larger than life characters create an environment of hilarity that is sure to please!

NEW Doktor Kaboom! (May 11/12)

NEW Kamikaze Fireflies (May 11/12)

The Kamikaze Fireflies (www.kamikazefireflies.com) is a two person comedy vaudeville smack down featuring acrobatics, stacking chairs, juggling, and uncategorizable zaniness such as sandwiches made with the feet (as featured in The Guinness Book of World Records and on The Tonight Show). Rob Williams (formerly of The Flaming Idiots) and Casey Martin (formerly of Barely Balanced) present the funniest and most original nonsense the Renaissance world has ever known! 

Drum Jam

As the sun begins to set, the air fills with the booming rhythms of the drums. The ground shakes with the pounding of dancing feet. Bring your drum and join the jam, or clap, stomp, whistle, dance and shout along. With Wolgemut, Seraphim Mora and The Queen’s Percussion Ensemble, partake in the roaring crescendo of a day at Deptford; where the thunder of drums fuses with the crashing waves of dance to form the sound and fury that is the Drum Jam.  The rhythms rise at 6:20 daily at the White Hart Inn.

The Joust

The Knights and their noble steeds, must act of one mind to accomplish their goals, and only the best knight will survive.   Exciting challenges are brought to the tourney this year.  The bold competitors must face down their increasingly dangerous, Galileo-esque mighty mechanical quintain, The Behemoth.   They must use their swords with dazzling speed and accuracy against a slew of devious devices and targets in The Grand Race and their lances must be accurate enough to pierce rings taken as they fly through the air. Only the best knights who can master these challenges can then have the honor of participating in The Joust!  Hanlon Lees Action Theater

Be sure to look for these notable characters, appearing in shows or on the streets of the Faire…

Queen Elizabeth,our beautiful, young, yet eminently wise monarch, is bringing pomp and ceremony, laughter and joy to our Port City.

The adventurous, and heroic, and beloved Sir Francis Drake circumnavigates the faire all day.

Lord Mayor, Barnabus Bliss and his wife Mistress Belinda Bliss, are the salt of the Earth, the cream of the crop and happy as larks to be welcoming the Queen and her guests to the city of Deptford.  Mistress Bliss has personally overseen the decoration of the village while her husband has personally overseen the tasting of the beer.  They take their jobs new office very seriously.

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester ...her Majesty's Master of the Horse and possibly keeper of her heart. 

Deptford’s Sheriff Blount (pronounced BLUNT) is a corrupt, greedy and self-centered man of power.  Having seized this power in a bloodless and apparently vote-less election, he stands on a platform of no celebration without taxation.

Lady Blount is darkly beautiful, viciously charming and there is nothing blunt about her wit as she clearly wears the slops in the family.

Nothing gets by our Customs Inspector, Don Guiesseppe Lorenzo Di Coronzano… without a large and very healthy bribe, including his wife, Madame Florentina Fuccelli DeFramatio Di Coronzano. 

Lady Phoebe Scratchett, our extravagantly accomplished socialite.  She is the Merry Widow whom is said to kill off her husbands and bury them under stages....

Stage Shows

Brandon Scott - The Wizard of Wonder

The Wizard of Wonder will delight you with his Storytelling Magic. Learn your own exciting illusions at the Wonder School of Magic! www.storywizards.com

The Frenchies... "You look Merveilleux"

(May 11/12 & 18/19 ONLY)

Stranded in England for what is the worst trip abroad ever, this entourage of French fashionistas will let you know exactly what's wrong with you. From your hair to your shoes, to your choice of food or companion - they are on a mission to bring culture and class to the otherwise dreary town of Port Deptford. They are also hoping to do something about that smell… After all their motto is "When in England - make it France!"

Herencia Flamenca

We are pleased to welcome back Paco and Yolanda Arroyo in the fiery passion of Flamenco! With over 30 years of performing with some of the greatest artists in the flamenco world, this internationally celebrated couple and their troupe will have you clapping and stomping along to a performance of a lifetime!

Kondor Brothers

(May 4/5 ONLY)

The Brothers are back and bigger than ever! No, Literally. This hilarious and accomplished young brother duo will juggle, balance and flip their way into your hearts.

Lan Sattha Thai Dance

(April 13/14 & May 18/19 ONLY)

Returning again to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire by popular request, Lan Sattha Thai Dance group presents beautiful traditional dances from the Siamese Kingdom. Don't miss this special tale!

The Magnificent Humble Boys

Don't miss the return of this hysterical comedy duo- The Magnificent Humble Boys. They have won awards in three continents for their wild physical humor and audience interaction.  Whether they are dancing and singing, doing acrobatics, or creating an entire circus before your eyes, they will have the whole family roaring with laughter.

The Phoole Skoole of Wonderful Knowledges

(April 19/20/21 ONLY)

In typical Phooligan Style, Jane’s topics range willy-nilly from True Lives of Court Fools, the Contra-Scruff Maneuver and the Circumstances Surrounding Its Learning (including the TRUE BUT UNBELIEVABLE Daring Escapade of Captain Frobisher and the Natives of the Frozen North, Sir Francis Drake's Cunning Use of Logic, and a Machine Capable of Scruffing a Polar Bear, all of which Must Be Heard to Be Believed), and, of course, How to Say "Bad Monkey" in 150 Different Languages, with Illustrative Anecdotes.

photo: Ivan Phillips

Punch & Judy

(April 27/28 & May 4/5 ONLY)
A traditional British Style Punch & Judy show. Mr. Punch is a light-hearted anti-hero who gets himself in and out of trouble by using his wits. Meet an assortment of insanely funny characters along the way.

Sakuntala

(All season except April 7 and May 19)

Sakuntala has been gracing stages most of her life as a dancer and a musician. She is a master in Bharata Natyam, the classical dance of Tamil Nadu. Come watch her as she weaves her spell and transports you to the continent of India and the island of Sri Lanka.

Sky Kings Falconry

(April 27/28, May 4/5, 11/12, 18/19 ONLY)

Sky Kings presents a free flying falconry and birds of prey demonstration featuring hawks, owls, falcons, and vultures.  This amazing show takes place ABOVE the audience! Come experience the 5000 year old "Sport of Kings" while learning about majestic raptors in an excitement filled and family friendly presentation.  Sky Kings is brought to you by Wildlife Revealed, a 501-c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the education and preservation of our planet's wildlife.

Visit their website!

Tupua

Again for 2013, this award winning show takes you on a journey through the isles of Exciting Samoa, Magical Aotearoa , and Exotic Tahiti.  The cast will leave you mesmerized with their beautiful complex traditional Polynesian dances, rituals and hypnotic drumming. Catch a glimpse of their dance!

The Wit of Will

Come one! Come All! See Master William Shakespeare in the flesh delivering action packed high energy one man shows for your viewing enjoyment! Come and join in the laugh a minute adventure that just might get you to WANT to read his plays!! Again and again!

Music

Ad Hoc Consort

Throughout the shire you can hear the dulcet tones of our period instruments: recorders, krumhorns, sackbuts & others. Come experience the true sounds of the English Renaissance!

Brigid’s Daughters

These two British sisters are fascinated by the beauty and romance of the madrigals and love songs they sing from Spain, Italy, France, and their English homeland. They long to roam and explore the world and find the kind of love of which they sing. Their angelic voices have been known to capture hearts and delight children of all ages. Perhaps this will help them find a love to whisk them away… Is it you?

photo: Bob Leggett

Circa Paleo

Experience a unique musical journey into folk dance tunes from around the world.  Blending energetic strings and earthy percussion, Circa Paleo brings new life to ancient melodies and rhythms that are sure to get your body moving. 

Circa Paleo's music is primarily harvested from the dance tunes of cultures throughout time and distance along with some earthy interpretations of modern melodies.  Audiences are compelled to join the groove as listeners of these same rhythms have been for ages. Combining modern musical clarity with traditional roots, Circa Paleo creates a musical celebration and festive atmosphere that few can resist.

The Crimson Pirates

(April 27/28 ONLY)

The Crimson Pirates perform a wide variety of maritime, celtic and traditional folk music. Long known for their vocal harmonies, they have gained recognition for their instrumental arrangements as well – utilizing mandolin, concertina, ukele, pennywhistle, djembe, doumbek and bodhran. Let them entertain you with songs of lost ships, lost love... and spilt beer!

The Sultry Spanish Courtesan

From the mystical Andes to the splendor of modern Spain, comes Anahi, a sultry Spanish Courtesan widow who has traveled throughout the new world and brings you now the flavors of Spain and Spanish America through her miraculous voice.

Wren of Inquity

Kids' Kingdom

Gnome Quest

Seek out the 30 gnomes hidden about the village in the markets and shops.  Earn your Official Gnome Finder Certificate and credit towards this year’s Collectible Limited Edition Medallion.

Music and Learning

Listen to the haunting tunes of the time and learn about Renaissance instruments played by the Ad Hoc Consortium.  Sing along with us as we shout out tunes whilst working on crafts.

Merlin's School Of Magic

Our wacky wizard returns with an interactive show.  It's time for magic class!  Enjoy this fun blend of magic, comedy, and audience-participation as Merlin searches for a new sorcerer's apprentice.  Beware, things can go terribly wrong, but with a little bit of magic all will be fine in the end.  Be amazed and amused and leave the show an official "apprentice" of magic. 

Teen Magic

Just Play

Play with our toy castles, or build one of your own with wooden blocks!  Play hide and seek in the Queen’s turret house. Ride the stick ponies, challenge your friends to our “period” street games. Make up a story on the felt wall.  Make a wish and learn about the meaning and history of wishing wells from Gwendolyn, the wee docent at our Fairy Garden wishing well!

Storytelling and Drama for Young and Old Alike!

Enjoy the plays onstage as our Kids' Kingdom Players Improv troupe engages children in comedy!  Listen to the tale of a boy making a new wool coat, starting with only his sheep!  Enjoy deconstructed fairy tales, starring our talented young cast!  Share a folk story with Gammer Gosling.  Tales of the sea with our own mermaids Kelby and Jaimie await you!  Cheer on the Lady Hero as a young lass is rescued from the clutches of an evil Lord!

Here be Pyrates!

Pyrates have come and buried their treasure in our sandbox!  If you can find any of the loot, you may keep your favorite piece and rebury the rest just like a pyrate yourself!  Arrrrgh!

Play Games

Learn to play Renaissance games such as Nine Men’s Morris, Skittles, and Goose.  See if you can beat Little Sean, the wily Game Master, or his partner, the Dread Pyrate Sir Vichay.  Fun for young and not as young alike!

Happily Ever After

Relax at the end of the day as our children create plays for you on our stage, and you can play along.

For Naughtier Appetites

The following shows may contain adult themes or content!

Belles of Bedlam

From hauntingly beautiful to cleverly naughty, the Belles of Bedlam turn Celtic folk up a notch! The Belles originated as a comedy troupe that sang Celtic music at Renaissance faires and festivals. Soon after, they began to include bawdier, yet witty songs in their repertoire. While they've never strayed from their comedic roots, over the years the troupe has grown into an acoustic band that continues to play traditional and original Celtic folk -- now infused with a healthy dose of blues, rock, and gospel to create their unique sound. Come take a bawdy vaudevillian romp with The Belles of Bedlam. NC-17 when performing on The Rogue's Reefe Stage. www.facebook.com/bellesofbedlam

The Dread Crew of Oddwood

The Dread Crew of Oddwood is a seven member "heavy mahogany" band from Southern California. What is "heavy mahogany" music, you ask? It's a blend of acoustic folk rock, heavy metal, punk, and traditional celtic music... played by pirates. Forming in fall of 2008, this adventurous and outrageously energetic group of brigands has already taken renaissance fair circuits, pub communities, private residences, conventions, and music venues by storm throughout the entire nation. They have a slew of valiant, terrifying, and amusing songs spewing tales of destruction, debauchery, and camaraderie, all performed with the unique instrumental lineup that makes the group stand out amongst their genre.

The Merry Wives of Windsor

These Lusty Serving Wenches return to the Faire serving bawdy songs and plenty of good cheer! NC-17 when performing on the Rogue's Reef Stage. PG-13 when performing on the Royal Music Stage.

Poxy Boggards

This self-described "drinking group with a singing problem" will delight you with their bawdy songs and naughty antics. NC-17 when performing on the Rogue's Reef Stage. PG-13 when performing on the Royal Music Stage.

Pye Powder Court

Always full of surprises and antic accusations. This bawdy, raucous bit of revelry is the longest continuously performed show at Faire. Performed on the Rogue's Reef Stage.

Sportive Tricks

A Southern California Folk-Rock Band with a heavy Irish influence, Sportive Tricks take great delight in giving traditional music a strong beat and an interesting twist. They also play many original tunes, both serious & silly.
The band started as performers at the Original Renaissance Faire more than five years ago and now play year round at pubs and concerts in Southern California. Inspired by the rich traditions of Irish, Scottish, & English folk, Cape Breton music, and sea shanties; Sportive Tricks combines traditional instruments with new arrangements, high energy, and a dash of humor for a foot tapping, hand clapping good time. Visit our website!

Guilds and Troupes

The guilds & troupes of the Renaissance Pleasure Faire are performance groups portraying various facets of Elizabethan life. Click on the name to go to their official website, where available. Contact information is available if you'd like more information on joining or auditioning for that Guild or Troupe.

The ASL Interpreters of the Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire

We provide interpreting services for our Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (HoH) guests. Stage shows, shopping, directions, etc are all covered to allow the best show possible. A schedule of Interpreted shows are given to both information booths, at the front gate and at Friends of Faire, for each faire day. Each stage board also will have the interpreter symbol next to an interpreted show. This year we will have interpreters stationed around the faire for any Deaf/HoH customer to be able to communicate with people in the booths in an easy and efficient manner. We will also provide interpreters for any Deaf/HoH person who would like to work at the faire, for their workshops or on site meetings with their guild/booth. If an emergency occurs on site and an interrpreter is needed, we do that too! We are here to make your faire experience the best it can be!
This year we will have 16 interpreters. 10 are seasoned Interpreters and 6 are students from local Interpreting Programs, gaining experience through mentorships. Between the 10 of us, we have 97 years of Faire Interpreting.

Director: Laurie Sullivan

Circus Of Invention

They don't know the meaning of the word "Impossible." Of course, they also don't know the meanings of words like "Gravity," "Physics," "Public-safety," or even "Aardvark." They do, however, know "Creativity." With everything they do, they try to make the world a better place by building imaginative gizmos, gadgets, and contraptions. With their...unique inventions they launch themselves- often face first- into a brave new future!

Director: Robert Beatie

Country Garden Dancers

This dance troupe performs high energy, exhilarating dance in the English Country tradition -- including both authentic period dances and original pieces -- in bright and colorful stage shows.  CGD also continues the ancient and hallowed tradition of dancing around the Maypole as a celebration of springtime and revelry.  Children are welcome to join us as we wrap the Maypole up in ribbons!
Director: Kris Davey

Email: krisdavey@hotmail.com

Court of the May

Fun and Merriment abound in the presence of the May Revelers! These blissful representatives of spring and all its glory are here to play, to dance and to sing, and to encourage spring romance throughout Port Deptford!  The lovely Queens of the May can be found wrapping the Maypole with the Country Garden Dancers, Thwarting the Puritans, flirting with the Yeoman of the Guard, and thoroughly enjoying their day at the Faire!
Director: Alessia Zemo

Email: alessialzemo@gmail.com

The Court Of Misrule - Fool's Guild

Delight in the antics of these lively fools and merrymakers as they spread fun and merriment throughout the Shire.

Director: Misty Rivera-Pauly

Email: ditzie_chick@yahoo.com

Danse Macabre

Even in the most festive villages, the Plague could always rear its ugly head and spoil our play. Join these dancers in the street as they trick death away from our Shire and remind us to live each day to the fullest.

Director: Bob Fox

Email: cyberbobfx@aol.com

The Florentines of San Lorenzo

Florence: The Birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and home to the d'Medici family, infamous leaders of Tuscany; patrons of the finest artists, architects and scholars; and world-renown arbiters of style and grandeur. Ambassadors from the d'Medici family have arrived at Port Deptford with a colorful contingent of Italian lords and ladies, soldiers, swordsmen and artists. Learn the methods and techniques of the rapier and arming sword, enjoy a reading of beauteous Italian literature, watch a Florentine court portrait artist ply his craft, or discover what the Renaissance Florentines knew about herbs, plants and medicine. As the saying goes, "Everyone wants to be a Medici." Come see for yourself.

Guildmaster: Drew Murphy

The Gentlemen Adventurers

The patriots, Heroes and Explorers of Elizabeth's England! We are the men responsible for establishing England's first colonies, the exploration of the New World and leading England's interests in military matters. We are men of money, education and fortitude. See these military officers, explorers and gentlemen take to the streets conducting personal duels and practicing their swordplay.

The ladies of the Gentlemen Adventurers are the educated women of the emerging 'merchant class' and frequently came from well-to-do families of England. They dance, spend their husband's money at the markets and train alongside our gentlemen as they form the backbone to all of the Gentlemen Adventurers.

Watch us on YouTube

Guildmaster: Steven Leon

Email:guildmaster@gentlemenadventurers.org

Guild of St. Andrews - Clan MacColin

This lively clan of Scottish singers, dancers, musicians, and soldiers demonstrate their slice of life in their interactive camp, entertain with their high stepping dance show and thrill with their skills in battle on the Tournament field.

Guildmaster: Steve Gillan

Guild of St. Cuthbert -

Parades and Pageants

Participating in most of the Faire’s parades each Faire day, we open and close the Faire with a song, escort the Lord Mayor in his parade and accompany Her Majesty the Queen during her Progress throughout Port Deptford.

In addition to parading about, we offer interactive craft classes and demonstrations at our Guild area. Leather crafting for children – learn to work with leather and take home your project. Spinning demonstrations and lesson as well as wool and knitting/crochet supplies.

Our daily highlight is Tea with the Queen at 4:00. Have the opportunity to spend time with Her Majesty and enjoy a full tea service including tea, scones, sandwiches and tarts. Each adult guest receives a teapot to take home and children receive a teapot charm.

Guildemaster: Sue Honor

Email: suehonor@pacbell.net

Guild of St. Helena - The Commoner's Guild

A thousand warm greetings to thee, o intrepid time-traveler!
Continuing a tradition almost as old as the Faire itself, we the Guild of Saint Helena's portray the Common Folk of the island of Britain, in anything but a common way, employing skills theatrical, technical, philosophical, scholarly, and romantic to entertain and enlighten all within our aegis.

Re-formed in 2008, the Guild’s mission is three-fold: to bring back the hallowed art of Street Theatre, to bring back all of the great old Faire traditions that have been lost over the years, and to entice the best and the brightest former Faire entertainers to return to these hallowed grounds and share what they know with a new generation of performers as yet unschooled in our unique art-form. We consider ourselves a Gateway Guild, providing an entré for those new to Faire and likewise providing a rich theatrical context for those whose skills have been burnished by experience, that we all may shine mightily; to share what we have learned so that others might follow.

To that end, we hold forth from our little hamlet of Duckbilled Nippingshire (a suburb of Port Deptford), and have constructed there our own stage (the Rose Wreath Stage), whereon we are inclined to mount our own plays and other entertainments. This year, we will be hosting two productions by former members of Dogs in Doublets; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Pyramus and Thisbe, as well as return performances by the Aylesbury Cheese-Guild Players, who will be reprising their ever-popular Oedipus Rex, The Musical (planned, appropriately enough, for Mothers’ Day).

Also appearing on our stage will be a bouquet of musical offerings, including The Briton Ensemble, and a possible reunion of the late and much-beloved Linda Underhill’s Siren Song. We are also hoping to host Sportive Tricks and The Beltane Band. Please check our marquee for show-times; our schedule changes daily...

We will also be bringing back old Faire traditions such as The Hobby Hoss Pageant, The Abbotts Bromley Horn Dance and Procession, our uproarious Noon Revels (a feast, always a bit after 1 of the clock), and The Chairing of the Bard (a poetical competition along the lines of the great Welsh Eisteddfod). We will also be hosting some fresh new traditions, such as the vaunted Grozzeling Day, our dreaded Gurning Competition, and a fulsome celebration of May Eve.

We have our own troupe of Country Dancers, our own Morris Dancers, the finest musicians at Faire (come by for our 5 o’clock Convocation), The Commoners’ Choir, and an ever-unfolding cornucopia of surprises.

You may also see us tripping about the shire as we convey The Queen’s Butter to Her Majesty, herding our vast flock of Commoner Sheep, or strolling about in The Invisible Animal Promenade.

We also harbour a bevy of Crafters, who count amongst their skills the churning of butter, weaving, spinning, needle-work, and suchlike.
We hope that some of the above verbiage has enticed you sufficiently, and you will want to come and visit us. Do come by our little town, or greet us as you find us in the streets. We are hugely pleased that you have come to visit, and are looking forward to meeting you.
Regina Gloriana! God Save the Queen!

Guildemaster: R. Merlin

Email: myrrhlyn9@yahoo.com

The Guild of St. Ives - The Townsfolke

The Saint Ives Historical Society (Guild of St. Ives) is celebrating its 25^th year! As you enter the faire, our townsfolk are busy about their daily activities. Watch our skilled craftspeople as they spin thread, throw pottery, and craft jewelry, and gaze at the flirtatious women on the Bell’s porch. Listen to the sounds of our lusty blacksmiths as they forge hot iron, and the musicians as they play and sing lively Renaissance songs at the Queen’s Cup Tavern. Feel the handwoven wool and linen cloth and braid created in front of you by our master weavers, and take a hand to join in a spontaneous street dance of Sellenger’s Round. Have a word with our street folk, who always have time for a friendly greeting (as well as a ready quip). We are tremendously excited at the prospect of a visit from our beloved Queen, Elizabeth! Smell the fine aroma of sixteenth century baking from our cookyard; do all this, and before you know it, the Guild of St. Ives will have transported you to the streets of Deptford during the Elizabethan Renaissance on the morning of our spring Pleasure Faire…

Visit our website at www.saintives.com

Guildmaster: Donna Flood

Email: dflood@ccis.com

Guild of St. Michael - The Military

The fierce, hardy soldiers and camp followers are found in this encampment, battling in the Arena, and escorting Her Majesty, The Queen. Stop by before 1:00 PM and your kids can train and march with the Queen's military and even join the show at the Queen's Royal Joust.

Guildmaster: "AJ" Johnson

Email: Aaron_Johnson@verizon.net

Kids' Kingdom

There are wonderful family-friendly activities all over Faire, but nowhere greater than in the magical land known as Kids' Kingdom. Kids of all ages will have an amazing time with games, crafts, story-telling, songs, shows, and our magical Kids' Kingdom characters. Special guests visit Kids' Kingdom throughout the day: the Mermaids with tales from the sea, mystical Story Tellers spinning stories older than time, Merlin and Collins Key, direct from the Magic Castle, as well as other favorite characters from traditional storybook tales. Kids of all ages are invited to join in the fun and the magic!
Director: Linda Conley Ballard

Email: gammergosling@gmail.com

Norwich Waits

The Southern California Early Music Consort appears as Norwich Waits at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire as the Queen's band and the horse tourney fanfare ensemble. The Norwich Waits celebrates 37 years with the faire in 2012.

Historically, The Norwich Waits was the band that traveled with Queen Elizabeth when she left London on Progress. The group was famous for its collection of the finest musicians in the British Isles.

Our Norwich Waits can be heard performing all the music for the dances of the Royal Court as well as music for the Call O'the Faire & Queen's Show at the Main Stage and the Opening Gate Show at the beginning of every faire day.

Director: Tom Axworthy

Email: scemc@earthlink.net

The Privateers

Provided with a letter of Marque and in the name of England they have sailed across the seas. Some call them pirates, but they are proud privateers and are of the sea. They have pillaged many a ship for the glory of her Majesty and now return to land with many riches! These old salts are looking to spend in excess on drinks, gambling, company and maybe a few hearty fights. Be wary when one swaggers by, because when a sailor is on leave anything can and will happen.

Make ready your cannons and hail shot!

The Privateers use a mix of historical knowledge and guerrilla improv to create a comedic portrayal of privateering sailors on shore leave.

Director: Jason Sheffey

Email: tellmedark@gmail.com

Puritans

Pay heed to their stern warnings and colorful preachings against excess fun and frivolity but remember they do not always practice what they preach!
Director: Nick Balbas

The Queen's Court

The Queen’s Court is an ensemble group of hearty volunteers who portray the historical characters who were part of Queen Elizabeth’s court during the first 10 years of her reign.  With research, costumes and a visual environment they strive to entertain and create a slice of Elizabethan life for customers and participants alike.  Their main task is to support the actress who plays Queen Elizabeth and they spend many hours in training and rehearsal to achieve this goal with improvisational theatre techniques.

Guildmaster: Terri Casey

Email:auntiegertus@yahoo.com

RenQuest

Find the Adventurer in YOU!
Experience RenQuest, a bold new interactive adventure at the Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire. RenQuest delights gamers with an abundance of profound and absurd riddles, clues, spells and hunts. Players directly interact with faire performers, artisans, merchants, and all matter of various magical creatures. Earn achievements, collect rewards and ultimately test your mental abilities and physical acuity by joining one of the three Guilds of the Claw. Fantasy and history combine as players choose one of three career paths through this multi-day story to collect the thirteen treasures of the British Isles. Are you brave enough to take on the challenges of RenQuest?
For our younger adventurers, experience KidsQuest. Help our resident troll family get our treasure that was stolen by the evil Orcs.
Directors: Patricia Cox and Jon Ross
Email: nightengailsnite@yahoo.com or darthfalcon79@yahoo.com

St. Nicholas Home for Wayward Children

Babies built the Renaissance, and at St. Nicholas Home for Wayward Children, you'll meet a menagerie of children wearing authentic Renaissance wear, playing authentic games. The children of the performers become performers themselves as they learn authentic songs and dances, practice for a pageant, do the "washing" and play with the audience. Just remember, keep your fingers out of the cage, and please, don't feed the children!

Director: Stork Wilson

St. Swithin's Guild - The Village Mongers

The Mongers Guild portray relentless and determined street merchants who will attempt to sell anything. Barter with a frolicsome fishwife, a clattering tinker, or a bumbling barber- surgeon during morning market for some of the most interesting wares in the village!  And, once a day they take to the stage with the rollicking faire classic, Pye Powder Court.

Guildmaster: Diana Kaufman

Email: dtkaufman@gmail.com

The Town Criers

The Town Criers of Saint Blaise are known for their boisterous ways. Whether it is ringing bells, frolicking in the streets, crying the news or napping in a pile, the Criers can easily be spied about the Shire in their yellow sashes. Throughout the years, the Criers lead both the Queen and the Lord Mayor to various destinations, as well as delivering the news and gossip of the day. So if you hear our bells and the call of "Make Way!" you know that the excitement is approaching.

Director: Heidi Halsell

Email: heidibug1976@hotmail.com

St Minerva's Washer Women

Caution, you may get wet! - Wit, Water & Song fly freely at the washing well. Laundry, and laughter is the life-blood of these lively women. The Washing Well has been seen as a slice of daily life for the village where women gather to do their wash, gossip, argue and laugh. (photo by John Truong)

Director: Angela Allen

Yeomen of The Queen's Guard

You'll see them on the streets, dashing young gentlemen dressed in bright red. They are England's longest standing military unit, the Yeomen of the Guard. They protect the Queen. They protect the nobles. They hunt for spies. And they woo women, oh do they woo women. You'll find them accompanied by ladies in blue, the Queen's Household. They protect the men, they hunt for husbands, they woo, too. Do not ask them about their jugs. You'll find them all at lunchtime, entertaining her Majesty with fine foods, lovely songs, and stories that might make you laugh. Maybe cry.

Find then on Facebook.

Guildmaster: Gordon Bradley

Email: biggb@jps.net