Entertainment 2026
The entertainment at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire spans 12 different performance areas and all the streets in between! You’ll find daredevil acrobats, soulful musicians, side-splitting comedians, three full-contact jousts, and hundreds of performers who bring the city of Deptford to life!
Yes, there are turkey legs the size of medieval dumbbells. Yes, there are treasures to buy. But tucked between the merchants and mead are entire realms of chaos, comedy, and courtly drama that are gloriously free. The mostly complete list is here.
Entertainment Schedules
Although unusual, scheduled acts may change due to weather, illness, or Her Majesty’s whim.
The Stage Schedules will be posted on Wednesday before each weekend.
Click Here for the May 16 & 17 Stage Schedule
The ASL Interpreted Schedules will be posted on Thursday before each weekend.
Click Here for the Saturday, May 16 ASL Interpreted Schedule & Click Here for the Sunday, May 17 ASL Interpreted Schedule
The Queen’s College Schedules will be posted on Thursday before each weekend.
Entertainment STAGE SHOWS
Ad Hoc Consort (all season)
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!
Alli the Muse (April 11 – May 17)
On weekends from April 11th through May 17th, immerse yourself in the enchanting melodies of Alli the Muse! Watch her play the hammered dulcimer featuring songs from days of yore, celtic tunes, and some surprise favorites. Join Alli for her “dulcimer karaoke,” to sing along and join in the faire’s shenanigans.
Ars Novis (all season)
Ars Novis, meaning “strange art” in Latin, are an ensemble dedicated to creating constantly evolving and engaging progressive music. Featuring Michael Huebner (percussion), and Armando Wood (bass) from The Freestylers of Piping and continuing in the tradition of their previous group, Ars Novis have a dedicated mission to present original compositions alongside creative arrangements of music from a multitude of genres. Ars Novis will be joined at the Southern California Pleasure Faire by multi-instrumentalist and LA native Jordan Bush.
Brigid’s Daughters (April 4 – 12)
Hear ye, fair patrons of sweet harmony! Brigid’s Daughters—those gentle maidens Colleen Russell and Stephanie Molen—shall enchant thine ears with melodies of old, drawn from many a distant land, from the Renaissance and the ages before. With glad hearts they welcome the noble instrumentalist Mark Sellin and the spirited percussionist Forrest Robinson, whose rhythms shall stir the very air. Come, lend thine ears to this rare weaving of strings and drum, and to the twinned voices that rise as one, like larks greeting the dawn.
Broon (all season)
While cracking bullwhips, juggling bowling balls or eating fire, Broon keeps the laughs alive with a dry wit and extemporaneous style that keeps audiences in stitches. With his variety skills and stand-up comedy style Broon presents a show filled end to end with sly humor and impressive stunts and Broon’s extensive improvisational experience guarantees no two shows will be exactly alike.
Bugle Biggins (all season)
Master Bugle Biggins is a ship’s musician who’s lately retired from a lifetime at sea. So he’s come to Deptford to entertain and amuse you with tales of his adventures, and to enchant you with soulful melodies on the harp and tin whistle.
Clan MacColin Irish Dance (all season)
Featuring the award-winning step dancers from the Guild of St. Andrews, this highland fling stirs the “inner Celt” in us all.
Clan Tynker (all season)
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. Fun for the whole family!
Country Garden Dancers (all season)
A high-energy troop of English country dancers roams through the Faire in a swirling flash of color and sound. Perchance these lively lads and lasses may show you a step or two!
The Craic Show (All Season)
The CRAIC Show is a wild and powerful musical experience. Performing traditional Medieval, Renaissance, and Irish tunes on ancient instruments to thunderous drums, they are a band you will feel as well as hear. Get ready to rock and join the fun with The CRAIC Show!
NEW! Derek Derek (April 4, 5, May 9 – 17)
A sassy whirlwind of physical comedy, audience interaction, and world-class juggling, Derek’s show is a rollercoaster of absurdity and charm. With international flair and a mischievous wink, he pulls volunteers into the spotlight, builds to jaw-dropping stunts, and somehow ends up topless in a tango. It’s street theater at its boldest—smart, silly, and unforgettable.
Dora Viellette (all season)
Dora Viellette will take you through time with an intriguing array of music on the hurdy-gurdy. From classics of the Medieval and Renaissance to traditional Celtic and Folk favorites, her blend of sounds and songs will tempt your ears, make you want to stay for a spell, and leave you wanting to hear more.
Dungeons & Shakespeare (all season)
Faire favorite Willy Nilly welcomes you to a world where you can see the greatest characters from Shakespeare face horrific monsters from Dungeons & Dragons! Inspired by the Bard. Determined by dice. Brought to life on stage. Join in an epic adventure that is different every time as audiences’ choices and the roll of giant dice decides if the heroes live or die.
All the world’s a game… Come be a player!
NEW! Jim Mackenzie (April 4 – 26)
Jim has been keeping vaudeville alive since 1985 and continues to add new original routines to the act. He learned to juggle at a young age from his dad. He picked up sword swallowing and other skills along the way, taught himself violin, and put it all into a comedy show that has become a favorite with audiences around the country. Experience in-the-moment comedy and amazing original feats!
The Jousters (all season)
The Jousters are excited to bring their fully-armored, hard-hitting, and wholly unique style of jousting to the Faire. This is true sport; every lance break and shield shatter achieved is done in an authentic quest for victory! Come, cheer for majestic steeds and noble knights as they compete for The Golden Chain of Port Deptford!
Kathleen Finnegan (May 9 – 17)
Kathleen brings the music of the past alive with the magic of the Irish harp. In ancient tradition, music had the power to bring joy, sorrow, and peace, all of which Kathleen delights to share. Experience the beloved music of the Celtic, ancient, and classical traditions, some familiar and some that are new again.
The Lynx Show (all season)
Lynx is a master at swallowing his pride! This world record setting individual is willing to almost do anything to shock, awe, and amaze you.
NEW! Master of Misdirect (May 2, 3, 16, 17)
Trained by the prestigious Chavez School of magic, and a Member of the world famous Magic Castle. The Master of Misdirect will bring to you magic from the far east! No gimmicks, no smoke, no mirrors. Just pure slight of hand and misdirection. Don’t blink! Don’t laugh to hard! Or you will be sure to miss the magic!
Merlin the Magician (all season)
Merlin The Magician returns this year with a fun-filled combination of magic, humor, and audience participation. Merlin performs his highly interactive shows throughout the faire and is featured on the Kid’s Kingdom stage. Conjuring up laughs and memories for decades, Merlin’s Magic Show will amaze and amuse all audiences. The magic happens in your hands and right before your very eyes.
photo: Rosemary Guglielmelli
The Merry Wives of Windsor (all season)
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 Golden Jubilee Stage.
MooNie the Magnif’Cent (all season)
Enchanting audiences for over 30 years without saying a word, MooNiE is the undisputed master of the Faire. MooNie presents a show that combines classic clowning, physical stunting, and enough comedy to leave you gasping for breath. Enter the mind of MooNiE.
NEW! Mornyng Knight: The Solo Sword Fight (April 18 – May 10)
This Interactive Solo Comedy Stunt Show brings the heat. Lovable outlaw Mornyng Knight brings the audience along on a series of increasingly silly and scary stunts, building to a roaring finale: a Solo Fire Sword Duel of Epic Pop-portions. With each blazing strike, Mornyng defeats the audience’s shared fears, transforming the battle into a triumphant celebration of courage and self-discovery. Oh… and there are tomatoes…and puppets.
Mudge the Hammered Dulcimerist (all season)
Mudge from the Poxy Boggards will tantalize your eardrums with his dulcet dulcimer, when he’s not slinging laughs, of course!
Poxy Boggards (all season)
For more than three decades, the World-Famous Poxy Boggards have delighted and shocked audiences with their unique brand of bawdy music. With a unique mix of vocal harmonies and instrumentation (and a dose of irreverent humor) The Boggards are sure to be a memorable stop on your day traveling through the Faire.
The Raven (all season)
The Raven, the black-feathered birdman, flies on top of a ball. He swoops down and invites the audience into his world of “eggstraordinary” magic. He delights in working in the streets, taking folks up close and by surprise. The Raven has been mesmerizing Renaissance Faire Patrons across the country for over thirty years. You will find him in flight round the faire gathering pockets of people in clusters or crowds in circles towards the end of the day.
Seraphim Arabesque Ensemble (all season)
The Seraphim Arabesque Ensemble is a music and dance group based in Southern California. They blend cross-cultural music and dance from MENANHT (Middle Eastern, North African, Hellenistic, Turkish) traditions with uniquely American art forms. They fuse contemporary sounds and movements with a historical flare.
Sportive Tricks (all season)
Singing sea shanties, Irish pub songs, nerd culture anthems, or what they wrote this morning, this merry crew wanders the shire with an absurd amount of instruments. Shakespeare wrote “sportive tricks” to mean “playful antics,” and they’ve earned the name as a band that’s sometimes rebellious, sometimes silly, occasionally smart, and possibly tipsy.
Supernova the Strongwoman (April 11 – May 3)
Trained by Cirque du Soleil coaches, Supernova the Strongwoman collaborates with audiences to find the unique energy of each performance. YOU become a vital ingredient to the recipe of insane strength stunts, daredevil acrobatics, and the wanton destruction of perfectly good steel! The whole family can join this cyclone of laughter, gasping, cheering, and DEMOLITION!
Tenacious DnD (all season)
A glimpse into the musical mind of chaos, Tenacious DnD plays the streets and stages with some of his intergalactically renowned critical hits, some of which are so spontaneous they haven’t been written yet! Come out for the tunes, stay for a ‘Riggle Do’ or two, and leave with some Bardic Inspiration!
Tiny Girl, Big Show (all season)
Step right up and see the one-woman circus extravaganza that’s wowing audiences across the shire! With charm and sparkle to spare, this award-winning, pint-sized powerhouse packs a punch. Stahr twists her body into ridiculous positions, then adds a whip, a unicycle, fire, juggling, and dark and twisted original skills that will leave your jaw on the floor. Don’t miss Stahr Power’s Tiny Girl, Big Show! that will leave you laughing on the edge of your seat.
The Washing Well Wenches (all season)
“Good Clean Fun, Wet Dirty Women!” These two lovable wenches prove that a good scrubbing and lots of belly laughs are good for the soul! Doing laundry has never been so much fun!
Wiggins Faerie Lore Magician (all season)
Magician, storyteller, and human ambassador to the faerie realm. While Wiggins seems to be a human fantasy jukebox, his true agenda is educating folk in the needs of the little people and getting himself elected again. He is recognizable by his very large mushroom, the smallest stage in the shire. If you don’t believe in faeries before you have met Wiggins, you most likely will after!
Wings of Whimsy Aerialist (all season)
Be captivated by the ethereal artistry of aerial acrobat, AJ Gamez. Lift your eyes to the sky as she dances and performs on silk and air. Wildly impressive flips, splits, and drops will leave the audience shouting for more. With strength and elegance, her show will delight hearts of every age and make you feel as if you could fly.
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 offer specialized interpreting services to ensure accessibility and inclusion for Deaf and Hard of Hearing guests attending stage shows. Interpreters are also available for shopping in one-hour increments, with requests required at least one week in advance. A schedule of interpreted shows can be found online, at information booths, and on stage boards. We facilitate interpreting services for any Deaf or Hard of Hearing individual wishing to participate in the faire.
Additionally, our mentorship program supports aspiring interpreters and interpreting students by providing a positive and nurturing environment where they can gain hands-on experience and build confidence in their skills.
Director: Tabatha King
Email: tking7984@gmail.com
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.
Directors: Jose Lavarreda and Alicia Verstynen
Email: cgdancers06@gmail.com
The Court Of Misrule
These boisterous, belled buffoons bring wit and whimsy to Deptford! Demand to hear their arsenal of jokes, challenge them in friendly banter, or see your favorite stories reimagined in their Fractured Fairytales stage show!
Director: Victoria Spencer
Email: vixespencer@gmail.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 Fantastikals
The Fantastikals embody the spirits of nature, representations of the elements, and manifestations of mythology and folklore from the Renaissance period.
During the dawning of the season at this spring market faire, the veil between the human and fae realms has thinned, and these Fantastikal visitors venture out to spread childlike wonder, harmless mischief, and other moments of magic within the shire. The voices of these otherworldly beings may resonate at a different frequency than mortal ears, but approach them and you’ll see words mean little when magic abounds. What will you discover when you find them?
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-renowned 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: Rachelle Sanders
Email: sandersblue66@gmail.com
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
Email: Colinchief@hotmail.com
Asst. Director: Lonnie Rawlings
Email: rawlingslt@gmail.com
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 lessons as well as wool and knitting/crochet supplies.
Our daily highlights are A Midsummer Afternoon Tea at 2:00 p.m. -and- Tea with the Queen at 4:00 p.m. Have the opportunity to spend time with William Shakespeare at 2 p.m. and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth at 4 p.m. 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.
Guildmaster: Sue Honor
Email: suehonor@pacbell.net
Guild of St. Helena – The Commoner’s Guild
We, the Common Folk of the Guild of St. Helena’s, have set forth upon the city to revel, cavort, caper, parade, and otherwise celebrate the visit of our most honored and glorious Queen Elizabeth! We sing and dance, parade and prank, practice our Shakespeare, and make merry with all who wander through our beloved Port Deptford. In our humble hamlet of Duckbilled-Nippingshire, the charming little suburb of West Deptford, thou mayest spy country folk crafting, churning butter, feasting, singing, and playing as the old ways are brought once more to life. Come sing, pull a rope, kick a cabbage, work upon thy prose, throw the dice, be a sheep, or otherwise frolic with us in good cheer. This day is ours!
Seek the bloomers of the Guild of St. Helena’s and join the revels. We are an excellent entry into Faire participation and joyfully welcome new members of all stripes.
Guildmaster: Kasey Moran
Email: kaseyz73@yahoo.com
Guild of St. Ives – The Townsfolke
The Saint Ives Historical Society (Guild of St. Ives) is celebrating more than a quarter-century at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire! As you enter the Faire, you will see our townsfolk busy about their daily activities. Watch our skilled craftspeople as they spin thread, throw pottery, and create jewelry. Feel the hand-woven wool and linen cloth and braid created in front of you by our master weavers. Trade flirtatious quips with the lovely ladies of the Bell. Watch for dubious characters lurking in the village byways, and cheer on our intrepid Constables as they keep Deptford safe. Hark to the ring of hammers and the lusty voices of the smiths as they pound hot iron into tools and weapons. Listen to the musicians as they play and sing lively Renaissance songs at the Rose & Keys Inn. Play a game with the locals or 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 or entertaining tale. Smell the fine aroma of sixteenth-century baking from our cookyard. Share our excitement at the prospect of a visit from our beloved Queen Elizabeth! 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: Megan Hughes
Email: director@saintives.com
Guild of St. Michael – The Military
The fierce, hardy soldiers and followers demonstrate life in a camp, carouse the streets, and escort Her Majesty, The Queen. Witness historically accurate firearm demos, discuss the militaristic uses of bladed and blunt weapons, and watch as the next generation of England’s military is trained in the Kid’s Militia.
Director: Alec Heath Garren
Email: saintmichaelsdirector@gmail.com
Director: Tom Eason
Email: tleason@gmail.com
Kids’ Kingdom
Kids’ Kingdom is a special place for children and adults who are young at heart. We teach crafts, including doll making, embroidery, sachets, wheat weaving, brass rubbing, and pottery — and you can make these things to take home with you. We teach period games, and will play them with you. We have a performing stage featuring plays, music, magic, and guest performers. We have witches who read runes to tell your fortune. We sponsor a Children’s Knighting ceremony and most especially the Gnome Hunt. Everything at Kids’ Kingdom, including the crafts you can make and take home with you, is free. We will help make every visit memorable. We will be waiting for you!
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.
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, a stage presentation show as well as music for the Faire opening shows at the beginning of every Faire day.
Director: John Cather
Email: John@CatherMusic.com
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: Ronald Glass & Rhysa Yannotti
Email: rpfprivateers@gmail.com
Puritans
They preach, they shame, they hate the players AND the game. They are the Puritans, and they are the forever-outraged enemies of all things fun. Will you ask them for a blessing, or scandalize them with your merriment? Will you befuddle them with logic, or demand they try your friends as witches? Either way, the Puritans will be sure to share their opinions with everyone…loudly, often, and with great vigor.
Director: Nick Balbas
Email: nickbalbas@aol.com
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
St. Swithin’s Guild – The Village Mongers
The Mongers are outgoing street merchants who will attempt to sell you everything you need for a proper Elizabethan household. At morning and evening markets, they patrol the Faire with wares ranging from fish to fowl and from the fruits of the fields to moderately used clothing. In the middle of the day, they put away their wares and enlighten the crowds with their passion play, The Pageant of the Seven Deadly Sins. Feel free to approach these merchants and ask them about their goods. The Mongers will happily describe the wonders of their wares in an attempt to make the sale.
Guildmaster: David Hind
Email: davidhind408@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: David Valdez
Email: beetlejuice90026@gmail.com
Washer Women of the Town Well
Caution, you may get wet! – Wit, Water & Song fly freely at the Town Well as the locals gather to do their wash, gossip, argue, and laugh all day. The Town Well is the place to be seen and experience a slice of daily life in the village. Wandering Ploughboys often swing by for a moment of gossip and rest when not wandering Port Deptford.
Director: Michelle O’Brien
Email: MOBrien3232@gmail.com
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.
Guildmaster: Gordon Bradley
Email: biggb@jps.net